Charczuk Looking To Contend For Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour Modified Title In 2018

Story By: JEFF CIGLICH / DIRT MODIFIED NOSTALGIA TOUR – LEWISTON, NY – David Charczuk has been around racing for the better part of his time here on Earth. The 52 year old maintenance mechanic for Smokin Joe’s cigarette factory has had just about every job there is to do at a Speedway since he was 10 years old.

“I worked at Humberstone Speedway back when Jim Puhl owned the track” Charczuk explains “I ran the infield, the water truck, the packer truck, I was the starter, was a corner flagger, assistant starter and of course even emptied the garbage”

Beginning his career behind the wheel came in 1997 where David would campaign both Sportsman and Modifieds with moderate success at the Ransomville Speedway until around 2008. “I never had a crew, it’s always just been Kathy and I and it became just too much for the two of us to try to compete with the other teams”

Charczuk sat out a year after selling his equipment. It would prove to be a tough year watching from the grandstands.

“We knew we wanted to go racing again, we enjoyed the open wheel division and we always loved the look of the old Modifieds” The following year the Bobby Malzahn tribute car was purchased.

Racing with the Mid State Vintage Stock Car Club, Charczuk had immediate success. The feature wins began to pile up rapidly with over 20 Club victories alone. In addition there were around 10 wins combined at the Humberstone and Ohsweken Speedways.

For 2018 Charczuk hopes to have fun above all else. Both he and wife Kathy both enjoy visiting new tracks but David admits a return visit to the Land Of Legends on June 2nd is one he is really looking forward to. And, while not a priority he also figures to be in the hunt for the Modified Division Championship held by John Stanley.

Dave would like to thank of course his wife Kathy for all the support over the years, engine builder Larry Czinege, Mid City Auto Service from Port Colborne, On and the previously mentioned Smokin’ Joe’s, located on the Tuscarora Indian Nation.