Upcoming Events:

Sept 3 - Spencer - RoC
Sept 11 - Mahoning - Poke Series
Sept 19 - Dunn Tire - RoC US OPEN
Sept 24 - RoC - All Star
Sept 25 - RoC- The RoC

Race Reports:

Aug 28 - Dunn Tire - Druar & Jankowiak Memorial 100 lap race - Win

The final event of the night was the highly anticipated Tommy Druar & Tony Jankowiak Memorial Modified 100. A stout field of 21 Modifieds were on hand, with over half the field considered in the running for the prestigious win. After qualifying heats and a top twelve redraw, Matt Hirschman sat on the pole for the race. Billy Putney, Matt Alix, Karl Hehr, and Jim Storace rounded out the top five starters. A few quick yellow flags dotted the beginning of the race, but Hirschman held onto the point position. Storace charged up from his fifth place starting spot into second and kept pace with the leader, while the rest of the pack sorted themselves out single file. The top two of Hirschman and Storace built a considerable lead over the field but a yellow flag appeared on lap twenty, erasing it. The only two cars to head pitside for an optional pit stop were Karl Hehr and Danny Knoll Jr. Hehr only made adjustments and did not take an extra tire, while Knoll retired his car for the evening. The race was restarted and at the 25 lap mark, Hirschman and Storace again led the field and were followed by Hossfeld, McGrath, Putney, and Alix. Hossfeld and McGrath soon joined the top two cars and the pack of four began to distance themselves from fifth place Putney. However, Hossfeld developed some sort of mechanical issue and dropped through the field and retired the car to the infield for the night. With Hossfeld out, McGrath took over the third spot and on lap 32 passed Storace for second. McGrath was a man on a mission and four laps later was on the bumper of the leader. While McGrath looked for a way around Hirschman, the fight was on for positions seven on back as Erick Rudolph, Wilbur Hebing, Rusty Smith, and Alix battled for any advantage over the other.
At the halfway point Hirschman and McGrath held a sizable lead over Mike Leaty, Putney, and Jan Leaty, Rudolph, Hebing, and Smith, all of whom were spread out over the track. On lap 52 the yellow flag appeared and marked the beginning of pit stops. Almost the entire field pitted for a new right rear tire, while Smith and Hehr stayed out on the track. The single file restart saw Smith and Hehr lead Hirschman, M. Leaty, J. Leaty, Rudolph, McGrath, Storace, Putney, and Jeff Hamman to the green flag. Two caution flags waved in the next few laps, as John Ramsey hit the wall in turn two on lap 58 and Alix broke on lap 64. When the field went back to green, Hirschman now sat in the second spot behind Hehr, as Smith had headed pitside for his pit stop. Hirschman wasted no time in regaining the lead as he passed Hehr on lap 70 for the top spot. Behind the leader, with just 25 laps remaining, it was a dog fight for position between Hehr, Rudolph, M. Leaty, J. Leaty, McGrath, and Hamman. A yellow flag on lap 78 and lap 85 brought the field together for a single file restart with Hirschman, Rudolph, Hehr, J. Leaty, McGrath, M. Leaty, and Hamman leading the way. Hirschman held his lead as Rudolph tried to track him down. McGrath, who had moved up to third, began making his way towards the front as well. With the laps winding down, the battles for position intensified as Jan Leaty tried every which way to get around Hehr for fourth, finally succeeding and taking Hamman with him. Hamman tried pushing his car just a bit too much and spun out, bringing out the caution with just six laps remaining. After two tries of getting lap 94 started again, the field was finally under the green flag. With just five laps to go Hirschman had gained some breathing room as Rudolph now had to contend with a hard charging McGrath. McGrath was unable to get around Rudolph however in the laps that remained. Matt Hirschman grabbed the checkered flag and was crowned the victor of the Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak Memorial Modified 100.

Feature Finish (8/28/10): Matt Hirschman, Erick Rudolph, Tom McGrath, Jan Leaty, Billy Putney, Karl Hehr, Rusty Smith, Zach Shove, Dave Wollaber, Wilbur Hebing, Jeff Hamman, Mike Leaty, Jim Storace, Matt Alix, John Ramsey, Danny Knoll Jr., Chuck Hossfeld, Patrick Emerling, Doug Reaume, Rick Kluth, Ed Weber

Aug 14 - Mahoning 100 Poker Series - Win

No one will argue the fact that the Modified Poker Series concept at Mahoning Valley Speedway has been a huge success, especially Matt Hirschman, who scored his third 100 lap win in the last five races. In the process he has also raked in a nice amount of cash to the tune of $10,000, including $3000 for winning Saturday’s race. This was Hand 3 of the 7 Card Stud Modified Poker Series and Hirschman authored one of the most dominating race wins at the track in some time. After shuffling the lead with Eric Beers after a lap 50 restart, Hirschman went ahead for good on lap 53 and then proceeded to head out into a zone all his own. With no cautions over the final 50 tours, Hirschman easily had his way with the pack. Weaving inside and out and passing cars at will, he pulled away to a commanding 5 second win over Beers and early leader Lou Strohl. Rob Shultz and John Markovic completed the top five. “I just had a perfect race car. We passed Eric Beers to win and lapped Earl Paules (last week’s poker winner) here at Mahoning, unbelievable,” said Hirschman, who drove the Bob Horn #50. “We finally had won a race here at the end of last season and ended all that nonsense that we can’t win here. Three (wins) out of the last five here, that’s awesome. This was a good crowd that came out to support the races tonight and the management here does these 100 lappers that are wildly popular. The Poker Series is definitely been a good thing.” After an inversion of the top 12 in time trials, Lou Strohl and Tyler Haydt had the front row for the start. Beers was the top qualifier with a lap of 9.745 with Anthony Sesely second quick at 9.757. When the race began Strohl was in control. Haydt, CJ Jones and Don Wagner all had a stint at second spot but it was Beers and 15th starting Hirschman who were doing the most frontward movement. Both powered to second and third respectively and made matters tough on Strohl. Beers was running alongside Strohl and aiming for the lead and was just about to do so until a caution waved on lap 49. On the restart Strohl and Beers ran neck-and-neck. As they were exiting turn four and with Beers on the topside, Strohl got his right front into the side of Beers and went spinning. With a throng of oncoming traffic several cars got collected. For the restart it was now Beers and Hirschman, who both hail from Mud Lane in Northampton, at the front and as expected from these two stars, they put on a thrilling duel for the lead. They went back and forth with the lead until Hirschman went to the front for keeps on lap 53. He then dazzled the crowd with his stellar performance the rest of the way. “I want to document everything because I never had a car that worked as good as this. The car was just so perfect. Usually I’m out of breath at the end of a race here because I’m fighting the car. I was still running as hard as I could because I figured Eric Beers was going to be sticking his nose in there with those lapped cars out there,” said Hirschman. “I gave it everything it had and it had a lot tonight. I want to thank Bob Horn from Connecticut for bringing it here.” Hirschman drew the Ace of Clubs as the suite for the night. For Beers it marked the third time this year that he has led a 100 lapper but fell short at the end. He does, however, have a pair of Kings heading into next week’s 35-lap wild card race. “He (Hirschman) had a real good car tonight. I thought that we may have had the better car there for a little while but then Louie (Strohl) and I got together and it knocked my toe-in some but hats off to Matt and his guys, they had their act together. We’ll get more races coming up here and try next time,” said Beers. Strohl’s third was his best effort to date, which came after storming back through the pack after pitting on lap 49. Likewise with Shultz who checked in the pits at midway and once again made a late race charge into the top five. Markovic has finished in the top five in each poker race this year.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Matt Hirschman 2.Eric Beers 3.Lou Strohl 4.Rob Shultz 5.John Markovic 6.Lonnie Behler 7.Anthony Sesely 8.Matt Higgins 9.Don Wagner 10.Brian DeFebo 11.Earl Paules 12.John Bennett 13.Bobby Jones 14.Tyler Haydt 15.Troy Bollinger 16.Chip Santee 17.Jarred Nace 18.Joe Mooney 19.Terry Markovic 20.CJ Jones

Aug 13 - Wyoming County 75 RoC - 2
PERRY, NY… Third generation driver Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, NY took top honors Friday night at Wyoming County International Speedway after winning the Race of Champions Modified Tour stop at the historic Perry, NY third mile oval. Second generation driver Matt Hirschman finished second and Earl Paules rounded out the top three at races end. By virtue of his third place finish Earl Paules is now locked in to the RoC Friday Night All-Star event at Oswego. Paules, from Palmertown, PA and North Syracuse’s Doug Reaume led the field of ROC Modifieds to John Nelson’s green flag and it was Paules getting the early advantage. Third place starter Ricky Kluth followed Paules on the inside row to get into the runner up spot and quickly set his sites on the race leader as did Williamson, NY pilot Mike Leaty. The modifieds were spread out all over the speedway and Paules was pulling away from the rest of the field with Kluth and Leaty right there on his rear nerve bar before the first yellow of the night for a spinning Mike Speeney on the front stretch on lap 21. The following restart saw Kluth sneak under Paules and take over the top spot but that was shortly lived as Paules would regain the lead just two laps later on lap 23. Paules would just lead for two more laps until “Mr. 2Kwik” Ricky Kluth would regain the lead and take charge of the 75 lap affair. On lap 26, Erick Rudolph would make his move towards the front as he got around Paules for second and started to reel in Kluth. Lap 34 saw Rudolph make his pass for the top spot as he passed Kluth to take over the top spot and that move would be the final lead change of the event. The halfway mark saw Rudolph scored as the leader with Kluth, Paules, Kyle Ebersole, Mike Leaty, Jan Leaty, Tommy Cloce, Daren Scherer, TJ Potrzebowski and Brian De Febo rounded out the top 10. A crash on lap 46 by Michael Speeney in turn two saw most of the field run into the pits and take on a new right rear tire, Rudolph, De Febo and Matt Hirschman did not take new rubber. That move was the move of the race for the driver of the Original Pizza Logs, Primetime Motorsports, HH Motorsports, Troyer entry of Rudolph as he was up front in open air and leading the field back for the restart green. Rudolph would continue to show the way up front with Rusty Smith, and Brian De Febo got together while trying to go three wide entering turn one and that was a costly move as both cars spun through the infield grass. Both drivers were able to continue on but were not a factor in the race outcome. Lap 57 saw Jan Leaty’s night come to an abrupt end as his machine drove hard into the turn three wall. Leaty was alright however the car had the long ride back to the pits on the roll back flat bed. On the same lap, De Febo suffered a flat left rear tire and went off to the pits to get that replaced and was able to rejoin the field. With Rudolph continuing to lead the field, Matt Hirschman tried anything and anything in his power to try to pass the third generation driver. On lap 65, Tommy Cloce’s night was over as the TJ Toyota 69 entry broke the right front and smacked the turn three wall. Just five laps later, Daren Scherer and WCIS Sportsman regular Patrick Emerling got tangled up in turn two with no significant damage but Scherer and Kyle Ebersole got tangled on the front stretch and ended both drivers night as they were towed off the speedway. That set up a green white checkered finish and Hirschman ended up just a couple laps shy of passing Rudolph as Erick picked up his first ROC win of the 2010 season. Hirschman, who won the last event at the Chemung Speedrome, finished second and Earl Paules rounded out the top three. Mike Leaty had a quiet night and drove home fourth and TJ Potrzebowski would cap off a good night for him as he crossed the line in fifth.

1. 98 Erick Rudolph
2. 60 Matt Hirschman
3. 8 Earl Paules
4. 25 Mike Leaty
5. 72 T.J. Potrzebowski
6. 44 Rick Kluth
7. 53 Brian DeFebo
8. 34 Rusty Smith
9. 14 Doug Reaume
10. 03 Patrick Emerling
11. 3 Darren Scherer
12. 5 Kyle Ebersole
13. 69 Tommy Cloce
14. 6 Jan Leaty
15. 80 Michael Speeney
16. 35 Tom Weist
17. 97 Matt Clemens
18. 11 Kevin Lewis
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51 Leftovers: Seekonk Speedway's Modified Madness
Putting The Wraps on a $10,000 To Win Open Comp Modified Show
By Mike Twist
Hirschman Comes From Back to Finish Sixth

Matt Hirschman started deep in the field and finished sixth. He seemed to pace himself throughout much of the race and came on strong late after taking on a new tire. But no matter what Hirschman or his team did during the 100-lap feature, his fate might have already been sealed. “It was because of drawing 35 out of 35 [for the heat race line-up] last week,” said Hirschman. “It's a s simple as looking at the finish. The guy that won started third. The guy in second started second and the guy who finished third started first. There was no way, no matter if I had run 100% to the floor in the heat race, that I would have started better than about 14th or 15th in this race. The draw kind of dictated the outcome of everything. If you look at the field, Teddy and I hustled on the outside and I just got in a bad line and got stuck behind the #46. Teddy and a couple of guys got by me. Otherwise, we would have made the top five. We just missed it in sixth. With a few more cautions, who knows? But it is what it is.”

Rusty Smith Rides the Rim to Take the Cash at Sundance

15 Modifieds Show for a 100-lap, $3k to Win Race
By Bob Dillner
Matt Hirschman’s Roller Coaster Night

Matt Hirschman drove Bob Horn’s #50 Modified Saturday at SVS. The duo set fast-time in qualifying, even with a SK Modified engine. Unfortunately, everything went sour from there. A flat left-rear tire sent Hirschman to the pits before the race even began. The car also experienced carburetor problems. Yet, Hirschman was third with less than 20-to go. While battling for second, Hirschman got under Pecko and the two made contact with three laps to go. The 42-spun and officials deemed it Hirschman’s fault so they put him to the rear of the field. The second-generation racer made his way back to ninth in the closing laps. “Those things happen,” said Hirschman. “I think if we didn’t have a flat and if the engine was strong, we could’ve finished first or second.”

July 31 - Sundance Speedway - 9

By: Gene Ostrowski

St. Johns, Pa- After time trialing seventh quickest to start off the evening, Rusty Smith of Oxford, NY patiently made circles in his Modified Saturday at Sundance Vacations Speedway. When the time came to race hard and go for the $3000 victory in the 100-lap show, Smith wasted no time and blasted to the victory. Steve Shultz of Drums jumped from third to first in one lap to claim his second Street Stock victory of the season and Eric Banashefski of Hanover edged out Dave Freundt to notch his first FWD win of the season. Ian Cumens got by Robin Johnston with a handful of laps remaining and went on to take the TQ Midget feature victory. Modified time trials were held to start off the afternoon and Matt Hirschman set the quickest time. The top six drivers redrew for position and CJ Jones picked the pole. The green flag flew and Jones led the first lap before Earl Paules overtook him for the race lead. Kyle Ebersole worked into second. Jones ran third, followed by Pete Brittain and Dave Schneider. The first caution flag waved on lap 25 when Jerry Hildebrand slowed on the speedway. Only four laps of green flag racing took place before the second yellow, in which Ebersole headed pit side for service. Nick Pecko lined up third for the restart and overtook both Jones and Paules to move into the lead. However, it was short-lived, as Paules regained the spot a lap later. The yellow flew on lap 57 when Jones spun in turn two. Paules continued out front with Pecko in tow. Bobby Jones held third, followed by Ebersole and Allen Creveling for the restart. Several drivers pitted under the yellow flag, including Brittain, Rusty Smith and Barry Callavini. Peck got by Paules and took control of the race on lap 58. Twenty-two green flag laps ripped off before the yellow flew for Paules, who spun on the backstretch. Paules pitted for a tire under the caution period. Ebersole lined up alongside Pecko for the restart, with Todd Baer in third. Hirschman held fourth, followed by Jones. Green flag racing resumed and Ebersole grabbed the race lead on lap 80. Meanwhile, Hirschman overtook Baer for third and set his sights on Pecko. Brittain tried to squeeze by Baer to take a spot four laps later. Contact was made, which sent Baer into a turn two spin and brought out the yellow flag. Green flag racing resumed and Smith overtook Paules for fifth on lap 86. He got by Hirschman for third on lap 91 before passing Pecko for second on lap 92. He snagged the lead from Ebersole on the following circuit. The yellow flag was displayed for the final time with three laps remaining when Hirschman tried to overtake Pecko for third in turns three and four. The contact sent Pecko into a spin and both drivers were forced to restart from the tail end of the field. The change of events moved Paules to third, followed by Jones and Callavini. Smith was flawless over the final laps and went on to take the victory over Paules, Ebersole, Jones and Callavini.

Modified (100-laps) 1. RUSTY SMITHh 2. Earl Paules 3. Kyle Ebersole 4. CJ Jones 5. Barry Callavini 6. Pete Brittain 7. Bobby Jones 8. Todd Baer 9. Matt Hirschman 10. Nick Pecko 11. Allen Creveling 12. William Schneider 13. Jerry Hildebrand 14. David Schneider DNS: Zane Zeiner

July 28 - Seekonk 100 Open Show - 6
21st to 6th at seekonk. moving forward at the end but ran out of time

Hometown hero Todd Annarummo translated his starting position inside the second row of the starting grid into a solid win in the V8 Modifieds at Seekonk's Open Wheel Wednesday show, coolly commanding The Konk's third-of-a-mile in an iron-man duel with Stephen Masse of Bellingham, MA. Outside polesitter Masse had taken the lead from Chelmsford hotfoot Jon McKennedy on lap 8, and McKennedy and Annarummo had doggedly pursued him until the latter worked his way underneath the leader on lap 85. The "other" Annarummo in the race, Todd's father and 6-time Seekonk Pro Stock champion Vinny Annarummo, fell two laps short of completing half the 100 laps, but was as jubilant in victory lane as if he had won himself. McKennedy led off the field from the pole and went to the front in the first turn, while Masse and Annarummo battled for second. Rowan Pennink and Lou Mechalides dueled for fourth spot behind them. On lap 5, the field had strung out a bit, with McKennedy holding the lead, followed by Masse, Annarummo, Pennink and Mechalides. Masse persistently bothered McKennedy and on lap 8 finally succeeded in getting underneath and to the front. Annarummo grabbed third beginning a 3-car dogfight which continued throughout the 100 laps. Ryan Preece had moved rapidly up from tenth spot into 6th, behind Mechalides. Racing ended for Rob Summers and Dwight Jarvis in the first wreck of the evening on lap 25. Jarvis sat smoking between turns two and three after the altercation while Summers limped to the pits. The lap 25 restart saw Masse lead off with McKennedy on his outside. Annarummo was low in the second row and Pennink was at his shoulder. Ryan Preece and Ronnie Silk made up row 3. Bridgewater's Jimmy Kuhn and Dave Berghman from Seekonk followed. At the green, Masse and McKennedy dueled with Masse going to the front. McKennedy was stuck on the outside and Annarummo took advantage underneath, squeezing into second. Preece also navigated underneath, and by lap 30, it was Masse, Annarummo, Preece, McKennedy and Pennink. By lap 35, Kuhn had moved into fifth, with Berghman on his tail. This top five continued through lap 70, with Annarummo doggedly pursuing Masse and being pursued by Preece. Early favorite Mike Stefanik had been having difficulty moving forward, and on lap 71, he went around in turn 3, bringing out the caution lights. Eight cars including Stefanik and Ted Christopher went to the pits to try to change their fortunes. All eight had returned by the time the race re-fired. On the restart, Masse nabbed the lead once again, followed by Annarummo, McKennedy getting by Preece who held on to fourth, Kuhn and Pennink. They formed up a pace-line, biting at each others' heels until lap 85. Annarummo had been looking for a way around Masse and discovered it, driving under him and into the lead. This lasted just a lap when a spin set another caution sending 6 cars, including Stefanik, into the pits for adjustments. Stefanik was not to complete the tour, being forced to retire with 10 laps left in the feature. Annarummo won the contest for the front on the restart, with Masse latched to his coattails. McKennedy and Preece pursued. By the 90th circuit, Kuhn had edged in behind McKennedy, ahead of Preece and Pennink, but now Christopher had come alive and was moving forward. The lead began to stretch as Annarummo moved away from Masse to about a 5-car lead. The crowd held its breath as the dangerous Christopher moved around several cars, heading to the front; with 5 laps to go, however, the leader was a full straightaway ahead and a string of 3 cars lay between them. Christopher settled in ahead of Matt Hirschman for fifth spot, while Annarummo ran 5 cars ahead of Masse at the front. It was a matter of remaining pointed toward victory lane for Annarummo who surged under the checkers for the win, followed by his nightlong antagonists, Masse and McKennedy. Kuhn and Christopher filled out the top 5.

Order of Finish: 1: Todd Annarummo; 2: Stephen Masse; 3: Jon McKennedy; 4: James Kuhn, Jr.; 5: Ted Christopher; 6: Matt Hirschman; 7: Ryan Preece; 8: Rowan Pennink ; 9: Max Zachem; 10: Louie Mechalides; 11: Kenny Spencer; 12: Anthony Sesely; 13: David Berghman;1 4: Ronnie Silk; 15: Jeff Malave; 16: Richard Savary; 17: Andy Seuss; 18: Chuck Hossfeld; 19: Kirk Alexander; 20: Glenn Griswold; 21: Mike Stefanik; 22: Michael Ordway, Jr.; 23: Vinny Annarummo; 24: Dwight Jarvis; 25: Rob Summers

You can only win your first race once, so when you do it you might as well do it big.
That is exactly the theory that Todd Annarummo subscribed to on Wednesday night at Seekonk Speedway (MA). Annarummo, essentially a rookie in the Modified Racing Series, won Seekonk's Modified Madness show on Open Wheel Wednesday t the track. Everything about the victory was big. It came in front of a hometown crowd, it resulted in a $10,000 winner's check and the field was stocked with some of the biggest names in Modified racing.
Then again, Annarummo knows a few things about big names. He has one of the biggest names in Seekonk history . Todd's father, Vinnie Annarummo (commonly known as “Vinnie Who?” thanks to a nickname given to him from the late Richie Evans) is one of the most storied drivers in Seekonk history. Vinnie won the Modified Madness show as a driver back in 2007. “My father did it three years ago, so we're the first father and son to do it,” said a proud son after the race. But Todd wasn't the only proud person in victory lane, or the stands, after the conclusion of the 100-lap feature. Seekonk is his home track. It's where he learned to race…heck, it's where he learned what racing all about was back in his childhood. Along the way, Annarummo earned the respect and loyalty of fans at the track and they were all more than happy to share in his big victory on Wednesday night.“We've got the fans, the sponsors and everybody here,” said Annarummo. “Just a Modified win would have been great, but to do it here tonight with all of the champions who were in the field and the purse that was involved. To get a $10,000 check is just awesome.” Annarummo started on the front row and dogged leader Stephen Masse for much of the race. As the laps clicked down, Annarummo drove by to take the lead - and that was exactly according to plan. “I was trying to wear him out.,” said Annarummo of Masse. “It was hard not to race him too hard, but I knew that I had to get to lap 100. I knew if I kept showing him my nose, he would keep going a little faster and I could back up. He was trying to wear him out. I told my spotter to let me know when there were 15 laps to go and he barely got that out of his mouth when I passed him.” That strategy was something that Todd Annarummo cooked up himself. “He [Vinnie Annarummo] doesn't get on the radio with me,” said Todd. “We sometimes have some different views on things. He would have wanted me to have led from the first lap on and I knew that I needed to be a little patient.” The 23 drivers that Annarummo won against were a Motley Crew of some of the biggest names in Modified Racing. Competitors with victories in the Modified Racing Series, both NASCAR Whelen Modified Tours and on the Race of Champions Modified Tour were in the show. Guys with names like Stefanik, Christopher and Hirschman. But those stars had nothing for Todd Annarummo on this night. “I have a lot of laps here. They have a lot of experience in these cars, but I have laps here,” said Annarummo, who has raced everything from Trucks to Pro Stocks at the track. Beating such a storied starting grid was nothing but big too. “They are the guys who walk by you in the pits and don't look at you or care about you. They don't think that they are going to have to race this kid. Well, I beat them, so maybe the next time, they will come over and talk to me.

July 24 - Mahoning 100 Poker Series - 5

By Dino Oberto

(LEHIGHTON, PA 7-24-10) Poker is a game of risk, chance and luck when it comes to winning. Just ask Chip Santee who, in the blink of an eye, saw his shot at the $3000 Poker Series jackpot in the Hand 2 Seven Card Stud Modified 100 slip through his fingers after the lapped car of Tommy Flanagan got in his path while leading and he was forced to back down to avoid a possible rear end collision with just under 30 laps to go. Earl Paules was the lucky card holder when all was said and done as the Palmerton hot-shoe was positioned to the outside of Santee and Flanagan and had the clear lane to take the lead and score the popular win over Anthony Sesely, John Markovic, Eric Beers and Matt Hirschman. Santee had been leading from lap 28 and although Paules was mounting a respectable challenge, it appeared be his race to lose. On lap 71 a caution was out for Flanagan had spun. He then ducked into the pits and as he was returning to rejoin the race the field was charging out of turn four to get the green. Flanagan came out in front of Santee and Paules Santee suddenly found his inside lane blocked and Paules was able to take advantage and move to the front. Santee was never able to regain his spot and even spun at one point while trying. “Chip (Santee) got a little short end of the deal when the 87 (Flanagan) came out of the pits but what can you do. You have to take advantage with things like that. I felt bad for him but I needed to get the lead right then because our car was tight and Chip was strong,” said Paules who notched his third 100 lap Mahoning win and 11th overall in a Modified. Time trials locked in the top 12 with Rich Kuilkem, Jr. setting fast time with a 9.880-second lap. For his efforts he received a $100 cash bonus. The field was inverted for the start with Matt Higgins and CJ Jones on the front row. When the race began Higgins led and was holding off Santee and Paules who were in a dogfight for second. Higgins was impressive in the way he led as both Santee and Paules tried several times but could not get past. Santee finally got a good run on lap 25 as he was able to dip underneath Higgins and finish off the pass on lap 28. Two laps later Paules was in second and it was then a heated battle with him and Santee. Lonnie Behler was running a strong fourth over proverbial favorite Beers. Beers got around Behler at lap 57 and then tucked in behind the top two. Sesely joined the front fray on lap 67.
Although Paules was making valid bids to get the lead, Santee was clearly better. He was finally starting to put distance between them until the ill-fated lap 71 caution arrived. It was indeed an unfortunate situation for Santee with the gaffe of Flanagan. “He was good and I was just trying to save my car,” noted Paules. After taking the lead Paules had to hold back Beers who tried on several restarts to overtake him and then Sesely who tried repeatedly near the closing laps but came up just short at the finish. The race took just over 30-minutes to complete. “I love that. There’s a great bunch of guys here and when these 100 lappers are held its good racing,” said Paules who drew an Ace of Spades as the suit for Hand 2. Since his first start on June 26 which he won, Sesely continued on his trend of being a front runner with his runner-up finish and has been a crowd pleaser with his ability of coming through traffic. “I’m just having so much fun here and be able race the way these guys do and run door-handle-to-door handle,” said Sesely. Markovic stormed from 15th to third and in doing so has the lead poker hand with a pair of Queens heading into the next 100-lap race on August 14. He was also third in Hand 1 on June 12. “It was a great night. Earl and Anthony did a great job and it’s always fun to come back to Mahoning,” said the former five time champion Markovic. “Doug (Hoffman, track promoter) has got a good thing going here. Everyone races fair, hard and clean.”

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Earl Paules 2.Anthiny Sesely 3.John Markovic 4.Eric Beers 5.Mat Hirschman 6.Rob Shultz 7.Bobby Jones 8.Brian DeFebo 9.Chip Santee 10.Matt Higgins 11.CJ Jones 12.Terry Markovic 13.Scott Adams 14.John Bennett 15.Barry Callavini 16.Tommy Flanagan 17.Lonnie Behler 18.Tyler Haydt 19.Rich Kuilkem, Jr. 20.Don Wagner 21.Jimmy Zacharias 22.Lou Strohl 23.Joe Mooney DNQ: Jarred Nace


July 18 Chemung 150 RoC - Win

PERFECT RACE STRATEGY VAULTS HIRSCHMAN TO RoC CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES CHEMUNG WIN

There is no doubt that Matt Hirschman spends plenty of time before a race thinking about his strategy and how he is going to use it when feature time comes around. The three time and defending Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour champion has won features by not pitting and also has won features by making a pit stop. On Sunday afternoon at the Chemung Speedrome Hirschman stuck to his strategy of saving his car early and not getting in trouble which almost led him to being a lap down. After the field got strung out Hirschman started his move toward the front and during a caution period on lap 83 Hirschman pitted for a new right rear tire. Matt returned to the track in seventh with 67 laps left in the 150 lap feature and he knew he had the car to beat. Hirschman bided his time in getting to the front as he didn’t move into the top five until lap 113 and stayed in fifth for the next 17 laps. Then with 20 laps to go it was “go time“ and that is exactly what Hirschman did as he used all outside passes to work his way into second by lap 144. Just after lap 145 was scored Hirschman ducked under race long leader Erick Rudolph entering turn one to grab the lead for good. Rudolph settled for a disappointing second with JR Kent driving a Zacharias Racing entry finishing third with Earl Paules in fourth and Daren Scherer in fifth. “Our plans right from the get go was to pit after half way“ said the Northampton, Pa. race winner. “I remember back to the race here in 2008 when Eric (Beers) and I pitted late and we were both strong and you knew one of us were going to win the race. Eric ended up winning as I tangled with Jan Leaty that day. So I went back a couple of weeks ago and watched the tape of that race and figured that I would do the same exact thing today and it worked out perfectly for us.“ Pistol Pete Brittain and Erick Rudolph brought the 26 car field to green with Rudolph getting the lead from his outside pole starting spot over Brittain, JR Kent, Jan Leaty, and Andy Walko. Following a lap six restart it became obvious that there was something wrong with the setup on the Brittain machine as he dropped back through the field. Making the big move during the shuffle to get past Brittain was Walko who vaulted into second and applied immediate pressure on Rudolph for the lead. Rudolph and Walko were setting a blistering pace on this hot afternoon and with the race staying green from lap six until lap 41. Many drivers who were thought to be in contention for the win were almost caught and placed a lap down. However a spin by Doug Reaume on lap 41 saved Rusty Smith, Matt Hirschman, Daren Scherer, and Mike Leaty from going a lap down to the fast running duo of Rudolph and Walko. Another 20 lap segment of green flag racing took place between laps 41 and 61 and once again drivers’ almost going a lap down was the story. During the caution period Walko, Scherer, and Mike Leaty all pitted for fresh right rear rubber. The next 20 laps stayed all green and when the yellow appeared on lap 83 you figured that everyone would pit. Almost everyone pitted with the exception of Rudolph, Kent, and Earl Paules who were the top three in the running order, Scherer was now fourth and Mike Leaty was fifth. The top five would stay the same for the next 24 laps as you could tell that the drivers who pitted were waiting for the final 25 laps to make their move. Hirschman was the first driver who pitted on lap 83 to make his move as he got around Leaty for fifth on lap 113 and just before Walko got into Leaty and spun out exiting turn two. The Leaty machine suffered enough damage to the left rear corner that he rode around and collected points for the remainder of the race. The race went back to green with 32 laps to go and all eyes were on Hirschman to see when he would make his move. The first move came on lap 131 as he got past Scherer in turn one for fourth and seven laps later he drove around Paules for third. Now on the back bumper of JR Kent for second Hirschman made short work of the driver that is known for being tough to pass at the end of the race as he took second on lap 144. Rudolph started to lift earlier entering the corners at lap 135 in an effort to save what little rubber he had left and this allowed Hirschman to close in rapidly on Rudolph. Hirschman used his superior strength to get under Rudolph exiting turn four to complete lap 145 and by the time they were side by side entering turn one Hirschman who had the preferred groove got the lead exiting turn two and never looked back.

Qualifying for the 28 car field saw heat wins captured by Hirschman, Jan Leaty, Walko, and Rudolph while Rusty Smith won the B Main.

DROME NOTES; Current RoC point leader Chuck Hossfeld saw his four race RoC win streak snapped as he was a very surprising no show. This race was the first race of the Championship Series which carries extra points combined with the regular season points to determine the 2010 RoC Champion. Terry Markovic was hit and uninjured by a Sport Mod during hot laps while working on his Modified on pit road. Jimmy Zacharias blew the engine during the heat race ending his afternoon. Former dirt racer John Ramsey was piloting the second entry owned by Jim Storace.

RACE REPORT RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART ASPHALT MODIFIED TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE #1

FINISH; Matt Hirschman, Erick Rudolph, JR Kent, Earl Paules, Daren Scherer, John Markovic, Rusty Smith, TJ Potrzebowski, Tommy Cloce, Kyle Ebersole, Jan Leaty, Wilbur Hebing, Mike Leaty, Andy Walko, Michael Speeney, Rick Kluth, Doug Reaume, Barry Callavini, Pete Brittain, John Ramsey, Jim Storace, Bobby Jones, Patrick Emerling, Terry Markovic, Brian DeFebo, Byron Chew.

DNQ’S; Matt Clemens, Jimmy Zacharias.
LAP LEADERS; Rudolph ( 1 – 145 ), Hirschman ( 146 – 150 ).
GATER RACING NEWS DRIVER BONUS DRAW $500; Kluth.
DART MACHINERY SET OF $1,500 HEADS; Hamman ( from Dunn Tire race ).
HOOSIER RACING TIRE HARD CHARGER AWARD; Smith 21st to 7th.
HOOSIER RACING TIRE HARD LUCK AWARD; Brittain 1st to 19th.
NEXT RoC CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES EVENT; Sunday August 1st – Shangri – La II Motor Speedway – 100 laps.

Oxford Plains Speedway - July 17 - MRS - 17

The Modified Racing Series (MRS) headed to Maine for the first time this year to Oxford Plains Speedway for the Maine-Ly Action Sports 100 on Saturday, July 17, 2010. MRS teams were lined up and ready to race as the last feature of the night and race they did. As the temperatures and heat continued to soar, so did the racing action on the track. Drivers sliced and diced and changed the lead several times during the event sometimes making it three wide on the track. The track is flat and wide where it should be and racers raced hard and used every inch they could find.

There were 73 green laps of racing before the first caution flag flew. Joe Doucette had ignition problems that stopped his car on the backstretch bringing to an end his night of racing.

On lap 85, the third and last caution of the race occurred. Andy Seuss was able to use the restart to his advantage and put the #70 Rockingham Boat modified in the lead. Seuss raced leader Louie Mechalides hard, running his car high in the tracks outer groove to make his move for the lead.

Seuss had seen Mechalides use the high groove to pass and used the lesson learned to his own advantage to capture the top spot. “Our car was awesome on the bottom. And every time the cars were racing side by side, we would slow up coming out of two and I could stay right on the bottom and get there. It worked a few times. It is kind of ironic that the pass for the win was on the outside. I usually run on the outside, but the car was just awesome on the bottom. It curled right around the bottom. We had great forward bite all night long and we won. That is just awesome.”

“I always wanted to win here at Oxford since I was a kid, before there were modified racing here.” said Seuss with a huge smile. “When the series went here three years ago I really wanted to win this race here with all the history here. We finally did it and that is really cool. This team worked their butts off all day. We changed a million things. It is awesome for everybody. I cannot thank everybody that helps this team enough. I want to thank the fans for sticking it out. It was midnight by the time the race got over with. I also want to thank Louie and every body for racing us real clean. It was a good race and I hope the fans enjoyed it.” In the end being patient and pacing your car was the winning combination for Seuss. “We paced it. The car was tight a little bit early on and it just came right in the last fifteen laps, I could run the middle of the track and it did not push. When I had to go faster I could. It was just awesome. It was an awesome day, awesome car, and an awesome team.” “But most of all, we were building a car to come here and run Oxford 250 here. And the gentleman that owned it, Jay Hull, passed away a week ago. He was coming up and camping with us this weekend and he did not get to make it. I cannot think of a better way to thank him than to win this race. He would have been here and this one is for him.”Louie Mechalides held on to bring the Stuart Automotive sponsored #85 car across the finish line for a very strong second place finish. It was a good finish for the team but was not the win they were running for. “At the end I would have been set if the caution did come out. The car was really good in the long green flag laps. The cautions kind of hurt me.,” said Mechalides about the couple of late race cautions. “We were just driving easy coasting, trying to be easy on the tires and everything. We had plenty of car left at the end, but with the caution at the end the car just got tighter and tighter.”Mechalides has Super Late Model experience running at Oxford Plains Speedway and he used this knowledge for his racing strategy. “I like racing here, I always enjoyed Oxford. You can race really hard and there is plenty of room. The track is real different. It is real flat in the turns. It is a lot different than a high bank track. You can run good and real smooth here.”Second generation driver, Todd Annarummo, was elated with his podium finish at Oxford. “I am happy to finish where I finished. We had a real good car at the end. Being an inexperienced driver we are happy with a third place finish.”Cars were running three wide on the track when it was about fifteen to go on a restart final moves for the lead were made. After the third and final caution the MRS drivers drove hard for the lead positions. “It was fifteen to go at that point and I am in the car thinking “Just do not screw it up now”. I just want to get it over with and get a good finish under my belt and be done with it. At that point in the race we had good drivers up front. And everybody had their line and we raced clean.”Annarummo started the race fourth and ran with the lead cars for the entire race. Running full time with the MRS series, he has had some good runs, but in the end he has missed being in victory lane ceremonies. “We had a real good car at the end. This is the first time that I have seen the place today (race track). So I am thrilled to death to be up there in the top three. Finally did not have any failures and got the whole race together. We have been running real good this year just haven’t been able to put the finish to it. We finally did that.”2009 Race of Champion (ROC) Champion, Matt Hirschman jumped into the #25 car of Gary Casella to fill in for Rowan Pennink at Oxford. (Pennink was at Monadnock Speedway running the NWMT race.) Hirschman was a good fit to fill the seat for Pennink as he tooled the car to a fourth place finish.Series founder, Jack Bateman, started the race on the pole and definitely had the car too beat at Oxford. The green laps helped Bateman drive up front, but when the cautions came out he could not make the same moves on the restarts. “It was a good race. I was kind of sorry to see a caution come out. We had a pretty good lead, but that is racing. I have always not been really good on restarts. And that is where they got me. I still think that my car was a little faster than them guys. I guess I got beat up by the kids.”Bateman tried to get back into the groove after the cautions, but he missed the mark in the end and had to settle for a fifth place finish. “I figured if we could just set there and settle in, then I could kind of just sneak back in up front. It was just not in the plan.” Bateman described the track and why the drivers love to race there. “The track here is so wide with multiple grooves. So if you get moved out of the groove it is not a big deal. I do not thing that the guys panicked and yanked the thing back down in (when running three wide). I think that they may have contributed to the fact that there were less cautions. You can kind of do it here (run three wide). If you could do it anywhere it would be here. I got involved in a couple of them. I had a guy on the outside and a guy on the inside and I just went straight and I was able to pull out of it. But it is not very good judgment on anyone’s part to put themselves in that position. But it happens. Everybody is trying to win the race. That is what we came here for.” The MRS teams will move their racing back to New Hampshire next Saturday night to Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan, New Hampshire for the Ricky’s Race for Kids.

Oxford Plains Speedway Race Notes:

Will the MRS return to Oxford Plains Speedway next year?

Jack Bateman
It is certainly up to the track owners. But we certainly will contact them and ask them if they would like to have us back. And hopefully they will.

Did later race cautions affect the race?

Andy Seuss
“There were not a whole lot of them so no. It just depended what line you were in. Sometime you would be better depending on who was in front of you and if who is not going. We were on the bottom when they went three wide a few times and it really paid of. So it definitely helped us. We definitely did not want to see a restart towards the end. I knew that the outside was good because that was how I got the lead. And Louie was really good on the outside. Overall it was a good race.”

Todd Annarummo
“I like racing, so the less we slow down the better we are. I was just riding around just trying to bide my time and not abuse the car. Without the cautions, it allows you to do it because you are not as much bunched up racing as much. It allows you to get your rhythm and get in a position to ride in. I like racing, green flag racing not riding around under cautions. If it had been 100 green laps of racing I would have been happier.”

“It (Oxford Plains Speedway) is a fun track. I grew up at Seekonk so it is all power control here, similar to Beech Ridge. I never have more than half of the gas pedal for the whole race. It is just all momentum and keeping the car in gear

Story on NASCAR.com
http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/features/07/14/inside.nascar.maumann.thirschman.whelen.economy/index.html#

The borough of Northampton, Pa., could be described as a classic factory town. The massive Atlas Portland Cement plant sits just on the other side of the high school, its smokestacks and towers silent for more than two decades. But at one time, it provided materials to build the Panama Canal. The Roxy Theater continues to show movies on Main Street. And the Lehigh River still rolls southward on its way to the steel towns of Allentown, Bethelem, Easton and beyond. And on the outskirts of the borough, if you take a left on Howerton Road and then right on a paved road known as Mud Lane, you'll find Hirschman's Garage. Of course, it helps to know where you're going, because there's not a sign on the road or the garage, or in the cornfield across the street. It's just an unpainted rectangular concrete block building next to a white clapboard house on a long, narrow driveway surrounded by an expanse of neatly-mowed grass. Welcome to the place where five-time NASCAR champion Tony Hirschman fabricates race cars. As lean as the steel frames that make up the chassis on which he works, the 54-year-old has seen the sport change significantly since he began watching and then racing. Blue-collar Northampton is about as far from the glitz and glitter of NASCAR's new Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., as Hirschman's workshop is from the "garage mahals" of Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing. And yet, cars from that little shop have dominated the Northeast-based, open-wheel series known as the Whelen Modified Series.
Not surprisingly, Hirschman's two sons followed their father's footsteps into racing. Tony Jr. is a spotter for Reed Sorenson in the Nationwide Series, while younger son Matt is trying to climb the ladder one rung at a time. But as the economic downturn has affected even NASCAR's high and mighty megateams, the small-time operations, the ones that load up non-descript white-painted haulers from unpainted concrete block garages, are being hit hardest. "Just the costs of everything, definitely from 20, 30 years ago, it's probably tripled," Hirschman said. "The cost of a motor back there in the early '80s was probably around $20,000 -- a really good motor from a top engine builder. Now, they're $45,000, $50,000. That's just one part of it. Then there's the cars and the tires and everything else."At a crossroads It's a perfect storm of sorts for a division that can trace its NASCAR roots back to the season before what evolved into the Cup Series began. Red Byron won the first NASCAR-sanctioned Modified event on the beach in Daytona in February of 1948, and as stock-car racing went one way on the evolutionary scale, Modifieds went another. Hugely popular in the Northeast, Hall of Fame nominees Richie Evans and Jerry Cook -- and other stars like Ray Hendrick, Geoff Bodine and Reggie Ruggiero -- carved out a living by running up to 100 times during the summer. They were able to run several times a week as short tracks dotted the Northeast like pins in a map. Even after NASCAR shortened the schedule beginning in 1985, Modified teams still ran a 29-race schedule, with the majority of those in the summer months of June, July and August. However, the series ran just 13 races last season, and despite adding one more to the schedule in 2010, half of the 14 will take place at either Stafford Springs or Thompson. Hirschman broke onto the scene in a big way, starting in 1989, when he won six races and finished third in the points behind Mike Stefanik and Ruggiero. He won the first of his championships in 1995, edging Steve Park by three points even though Park won seven races to Hirschman's one. And he repeated as champ the following year, this time by 12 points over Park. Hirschman then added titles in 1999, 2004 and 2005, but his interest in getting behind the wheel began to wane in 2007, and even now, he debates whether he should get back out. And the primary motivation, to make enough money to justify the expense, just isn't there. "Everybody asks me why I'm not racing no more," Hirschman said. "Every year, I look when the schedules come out, the Whelen tour, the [Race of Champions], and I look at what the purse money is, what the laps are and the few tracks you've got to go to any more. And it's really a shame. I mean, from what we used to race years ago, the amount of races we used to run. They probably don't run half the amount as we used to run."
Hirschman admits it's not entirely the fault of the sanctioning body. Even with sponsorship backing from Busch, Featherlite and now Whelen Engineering, it has been increasingly difficult for teams to find the means to keep plugging along, mainly because expenditures have outpaced income. "Everything else went up and it seems like the purses came down," Hirschman said. "There's just no big races left any more. Not even at the end of the season. The Race of Champions race, that's the one that gets me a little excited about doing something. It's just a fun race to run every year. But other than that, there's nothing that really gets you excited out there." In a way, it's like a triple whammy: fewer races, smaller purses, higher expenses. Track operators have felt the same pinch, and in many cases, long-time facilities have been shuttered or scaled back. Hirschman remembers a time when you could tow your car to a Modified event almost any night of the week during the summer. It's tough on everybody," Hirschman said. "If you listen to the track promoters, their costs, everything there went up, too. Insurance and whatever. I don't know. Even now, the way the cost of everything is, even if there were tracks that wanted to run, if you had tracks to run four, five times a week, you wouldn't have no cars. "We've got guys right now who are lucky if they run their car once a week. Most of them are every other week or once a month or something. That's all they can afford to do. Everything costs so much. The cost of living at home, just to keep things going, you don't have no extra money to spend on the cars." And Hirschman said that's the biggest change he's seen in the sport. It used to be that a driver's percentage of the purse was enough to make a decent living. But that doesn't seem to be the case, at least not at the regional or local level. "We had some good years," Hirschman said. "Back in the early '80s and '90s, we went to a lot of race tracks and there were a lot of good paying races for the amount of laps you'd run, especially with what things cost at that time. Everybody, we all stuck some money in our pocket. After you paid all your expenses and stuff, you still had some left over so you could keep going. "But now, there's no way. You'd have to win every race to say you made money or broke even. As a driver, I drove for years for a lot of different car owners. And I always footed my own expenses for my motorhome and whatever it took to get to the races, and I ran for a percentage. But if I had to run for that percentage now, for what you're going and what things cost, I mean, you'd be losing just going to the races."
For example, Hirschman compared one of his championship seasons to 2009, when Donny Lia took in $69,074 in purse money for a 13-race season, not including end-of-the-season bonuses. That's nearly $10,000 less than Joe Nemechek took home for running 20 laps and finishing 43rd at Chicagoland this past weekend.
"Back in 1989 was our first year on the tour, and we ran 20-something races and were all over the place. I took in $125,000, I think, in prize money. Plus, we got point money on top of that and stuff. Then at the end of the year, you always had some sort of deal with the car owner to split the point money. That was like the bonus you had at the end of the year. "As a driver, if you ran for a percentage of the purse money, I don't care if you got 20 percent, 30 percent, even 40 percent of $60,000, $70,000, you can figure out that's all you'd be getting. If you win the championship now, and let's say that pays $40,000 on top, you'd almost have to take that and put it in with your purse money and average everything out. Because all the races you lost money at, you'd have to throw them in there and then look it and see if you broke even." If Sprint Cup teams are having difficulty attracting sponsors, imagine what it's like at the local level right now. Hirschman said it's almost impossible to find someone willing to write a check. And it's not just because of TV exposure. "For the last few years, everybody was like, 'Well, we need more TV' and this and that and the other so we can get sponsors," Hirschman said. "But right now, it's like I don't care if every race is on TV, whatever for our series, it's not going to make a bit of difference there. You're not going to get any more money, if you get any at all. "It's just not going to happen." Hirschman said guys who own their own businesses are perhaps the only ones still willing to put money into racing at the local level "I know the cars that come here that we work on, repair, whatever, the guys that got money that are running these cars, that's it," Hirschman said. "Anybody else, forget it. You're just wasting your time even thinking of going there. You can't do it." Is there a point where things will get better? Hirschman's unsure. And he doesn't have any solutions. "I don't know," he said. "I don't see it getting any better. I don't know what's going to really turn it around. It just takes money to do things.
"Everybody's saying the same thing. I'm just amazed there's the amount of cars running that there is. The local track's averaging in the teens for modifieds, as low as 11 cars. If you get 20 cars, you're doing really good any more. There's cars parked and they run them once a month, couple times a year, if they're lucky. "Pretty much any more, you're doing it for fun. If you've got any money now to race, that's about it." And that's the case for Matt Hirschman, who continues to dream of getting a shot similar to Lia. But his dad admits a lack of full-time opportunities is a major reason why Matt's running multiple races for multiple teams in 2010 in an attempt to keep his name out there. "What he's doing with his own car is running the Race of Champions stuff," Hirschman said. "The other orange car he was running, the J&J Motorsports car, they ran it in Florida and then crashed it in North Carolina. That car's still apart here yet, but should be going back together probably in another month or so. "Then he's running that SK car, that Bob Hornes car from up in Connecticut. He'll run that a couple of times. He won at Mahoning there a couple of weeks ago. ... And as of right now, I'm going to go along with him up to Oxford, Maine, on Saturday and then we're going to run Chemung, N.Y., on Sunday with his own car in the ROC race." Matt only made two Whelen Modified starts in 2009, and with the economy the way it is, Hirschman said what little money is coming in is mainly the result of the work the two do in the fab shop. "Nothing's really changed," Hirschman said. "I don't know if anything got better or stayed the same. I think it actually got worse, maybe. We've been keeping busy at the shop. There's always something going with somebody, but other than that, to come up with sponsor money, that's really hard to do. I mean, there's nobody really giving anything away right now."So what kind of advice do you give to a young racer like Matt? "I don't know," Hirschman said. "What can you really say? He sees what's going on. You hope something's going to turn up or something better's going to happen. But it's really quiet right now. It's the quietest it's been, last year, this year. "There's nothing going on. No talk about anything, really. Not much you can do. That's what we're doing here, trying to keep busy, enough to pay your bills. That's about it. Everybody who comes in, you talk to them, and it's the same deal. No matter what business you're in or what you're doing, I don't think you can say you're saving money right now. "If you're just breaking even and paying your bills and eating, that's about the best you can do right now."

July 10 Mahoning 100 Poker Series - Rain

July 9 Wyoming County 75 RoC - Rain

June 19 DunnTire Speedway ROC - 2

1.22 Chuck Hossfeld
2.60 Matt Hirschman
3.98 Erick Rudolph
4.34 Rusty Smith
5.6 Jan Leaty
6.12 Tom McGrath
7.3 Daren Scherer
8.72 T.J. Potrzebowski
9.88 Billy Putney
10.14 Doug Reaume
11.87 Michael Speeney
12.4 Bob Reis
13.03 Patrick Emerling
14.2 Zach Shove
15.51 Wilbur Hebing
16.59 Karl Hehr
17.25 Mike Leaty
18.99 Jeff Hamman
19.11 Rick Kluth
20.69 Tom Cloce
21.5 Kyle Ebersole
22.84 Ronnie Smith
23.44 Kevin Timmerman
24.95 Matt Clemens
Dave Wollaber
Jim Storace

June 18 Spencer Speedway ROC - 3

The Race of Champions Modified Tour took to the new asphalt surface at Spencer Speedway last Friday, June 18. Crazy as it may seem the top two were the same in three of the four races run and the top three finishers were the same from the last tour race at Oswego Speedway. Up front it was Ransomville’s Chuck Hossfeld taking his third RoC victory of the season. Bill Hebing came home in second followed by Matt Hirschman. “I have to thank the whole team,” commented Hossfeld in victory lane, “This thing drove like a Cadalliac tonight.” Hossfeld took the lead on lap 13, out dragging Hebing on a restart. From there on Hebing hounded Hossfeld but was not able to mustard up enough power to complete the pass for the lead. “I think working at Troyer’s has helped me as a driver,” continued Hossfeld. He also commented on the new surface, “To see some one make improvements, even in these economic times, is great. This track will be good for a long time to come.” Twenty-six cars started the main event, which would take one hour and ten minutes to complete. By luck of the redraw, Bill Putney and Kyle Ebersole brought the field down to the green. Putney immediately grabbed the lead, with third place starter, Hebing, taking second. With just three laps in the books the first of eleven cautions flew. Unfortunately for the leader, Putney, he was tapped and spun around in the third turn. This allowed Hebing to complete his pass down the back stretch, before Putney was tapped, to take the lead. The restart saw Hebing hold off Hossfeld on the restart. Up front Ebersole joined the top three as they pulled away from the rest of the field. But the yellow flew, slowing the pace. This time Jan and Mike Leaty came together, with Mike looping around in the first turn. Both pitted for tires, however Jan’s car suffered more damage then thought and became the first to retire from the event. Four laps later, lap 12, the yellow flew again. Four cars came together, looping around in the first turn. With the track blocked, the field was placed under red flag conditions. Involved in the first turn melee were Tim McMullen, T.J. Potrzebowski, Zach Shove and Daryl Lewis Jr. The restart saw Hossfeld able to take the lead from Hebing. However only one lap was completed before the yellow was out again. This time McMullen and Bob Reis had come together. With just 22 of the 26 starters remaining the field raced a long green flag run. This allowed Mike Leaty to work his way back to 12th. Up front Hossfeld and Hebing made for a two car break away, with Matt Hirschman in third, followed by Rusty Smith and Jeff Hamman. On lap 25, the yellow flew when both Reis and Doug Reaume slowed on the back stretch. Both were lapped before the yellow flew. Hossfeld held strong as now six cars broke away at the front of the field. Behind the top five was Earl Paulus in sixth. The race slowed on lap 42 when Tommy Cloce and Ebersole made contact in the first turn. At this time Putney and Ricky Kluth ducked into the pits to get new right rear rubber. The restart saw Jim Storrace coast to a stop in the first turn causing the yellow to fly again. Once under way, the top six remained the same. With the laps winding down many drivers were making their late race charges, when the yellow came out as Reaume looped in the first turn to bring out the yellow, lap 58. The last 17 laps saw some intense racing. A five car spin in the third turn on lap 64 saw Kluth, McMullen, Reis, Patrick Emering and Ebersole all involved. Mike Leaty’s great rebounding run was halted when he was sent to the rear for contact that caused that incident. Two more single car yellows would follow for minor spin outs , laps 66 and 68. This set up a charge for the checkers. The final restart saw Hamman, who had run in the top six for most of the race, sputter, and fall back, losing a number of positions. Up front Hossfeld held off Hebing and Hirschman. Smith finished in fourth followed by Paulus. “My father is not here tonight,” added Hossfeld. “I’d like to wish him and all of the fathers a happy Fathers Day this Sunday.” As for Hebing, he stated, “I’ve been around this place for a lot of laps in my career. This track is really smooth and once a second grove develops completely this place will be great.” Hebing also added, Finishing second for the third time this year is getting old.” As for Hirschman, he commented, “This year we didn’t need to pit for tires like we had to do before. This was a good clean run for us.” Heat wins went to Kluth, Cloce and Paulus. The consolation race was won by Mike Leaty.

HEAT 1: R. Kluth, M. Hirschman, J. Storrace, K. Ebersole, T. McMullen, B. Reis.
HEAT 2: T. Cloce, E. Rudolph, M. Speeney, B. Hebing, T. Cheetham, J. Hamman.
HEAT 3: E. Paulus, C. Hossfeld, B. Putney, R. Smith, T.J. Potrzebowski, D. Lewis Jr.
CONSI: M. Leaty, J. Leaty, P. Emering, Z. Shove, D. Reaume, C. Ridsdale, D. Sherer, D. Knoll Jr. (DNQ) Kevin Timmerman, Ron Smith, John Markovic.

Feature Results reflect finish position, driver and starting spot

FEATURE (75-laps): 1) CHUCK HOSSFELD (4), 2) Bill Hebing (3), 3) Matt Hirschman (5), 4) Rusty Smith (7), 5) Earl Paulus, 6) Michael Speeney (6), 7) Terry Cheetham (18), 8) Billy Putney (1), 9) Daren Sherer (24), 10) Mike Leaty (19), 11) Ricky Kluth (12), 12) Kyle Ebersole (2), 13) Erick Rudolph (11), 14) Patrick Emering (26), 15) Jeff Hamman (17), 16) Doug Reaume (22), 17) Bob Reis (16), 18) Tim McMullen (13), 19) Danny Knoll Jr. (25), 20) Tommy Cloce (8), 21) Jim Storrace (9), 22) Chris Ridsdale (23), 23) T.J. Potrzebowski (15), 24) Daryl Lewis Jr. (18), 25) Zach Shove (21), 26) Jan Leaty (20).

June 12 Mahoning Speedway Poker- 11

This past Saturday night the personable Jones furthered his endeavors with a rousing victory in one of the infamous 100-lap Modified races to his resume. Jones, who started ninth in the 21-car field, did something that is tough to do in these Mahoning century runs, he passed Eric Beers for the lead and in doing so went on to notch his biggest career win in the Hand One 7 Card Stud 100. The Walnutport ace collected $3000 for his effort. “I can’t believe this. This year just started out bad, I thought it was anyway and I was close to maybe thinking about taking a break and instead here we are winning again. We won last week (Sundance) and again tonight. This is good,” said Jones. “I haven’t won and been in Victory Circle for a while and tonight we earned it because I’m tired.” It was the first time Jones had won at Mahoning since July 9, 2005. After an inversion of the top 12 in time trials, Tommy Flanagan and Lonnie Behler brought the field to Dick Brown’s race commencing green. Flanagan led the opening circuit and on the next go-around it was Behler showing the way. Third starting Beers drove to the outside lane and went by Flanagan and then Behler for the lead with five laps in. The first 23 circuits were clicked off in a fast pace as Beers was very strong and pulling away from the pack. Moments before he was attempting to go past the first of the back-markers, the first of six cautions waved. On the restart Beers had Behler, Flanagan, Earl Paules and John Markovic sharing the top five. On the restart Behler faded back and Flanagan assumed second. Flanagan then kept within reach of Beers, never allowing pulling away as he did in the opening green flag stretch. Jones emerged into the front five at the same time and ten laps later was fourth behind Markovic. As Beers remained in command over Flanagan, Jones jumped to third a lap shy of the midway point which also saw a caution period.
On the restart he lined up behind Beers and followed his tire path to second and then went side-by-side. What would turn out to be the final caution on lap 56 for a solo spin by Rick Reichenbach, Jones simply outgunned Beers for the lead at the restart. The rest of the way all Beers could do was watch as he never mounted a challenge. Jones went on to a .739-second margin of victory.
“I thought he (Beers) was just riding it and then on that restart (lap 56) I told myself I had to go for it. I knew the car was really good on the outside. That first 100-lapper (April 17), we where a lapped car and I vowed to come back tonight and redeem myself but this is beyond what I expected,” said Jones who then pulled the Ace of Diamonds for the suite for the opening poker hand. Beers, Markovic, Flanagan and Brian DeFebo rounded out the top five with Chip Santee, Rick Kirkendall, Don Wagner, Paulus and Rob Shultz completing the top 10. “We had the second best car here tonight,” bottom lined Beers. “Bobby (Jones) was definitely better than us. He had a good restart there. We ran side-by-side, I gave him his lane and he gave me mine and he ended up just driving around me. Hats off to him and his guys they did a heck of a job.” “I’d like to congratulate Bobby. He was spot on, drove the wheels off the car, ran everybody clean and that’s Mahoning Valley,” added Markovic. As the top qualifier in time trials, Wagner, 9.855-second 91.324 mph, was awarded a wheel courtesy of Bair's Wheel Repair of New Ringgold.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Bobby Jones 2.Eric Beers 3.John Markovic 4.Tom Flanagan 5.Brian DeFebo 6.Chip Santee 7.Rick Kirkendall 8.Don Wagner 9.Earl Paules 10.Rob Shultz 11.Matt Hirschman 12.Lou Strohl 13.Rick Reichenbach 14.Jarred Nace 15.Lonnie Behler 16.John Bennett 17.Zane Zeiner 18.Tyaler Haydt 19.Andy Szapacs 20.Scott Adams 21.Matt Wentz Did not start: Matt Higgins, Terry Markovic

May 31 Thunder Road Speedway MRS - 11

Matt was working his way to a top five finish when contact with another car sent Matt spinning into the infield (see Dupont photo on home page) and relegated him to a 11th place finish

20 year old Stephen Masse, Bellingham, MA. captured his second consecutive Memorial Day Classic 100 at the famed Thunder Road International Speedbowl Sunday, May 30th. The race was sanctioned by the Modified Racing Series, sponsored by BobValentiAutomall.com.
Starting fifth in a 24-car field, Masse moved to second by lap nine and then took over the lead from early race leader Todd Annarummo, Swansea, MA on lap 19.
Despite 11-caution periods that slowed the race, Masse opened up sizable leads, several times by large margins, but was never headed. Rob Goodenough, West Swanzey, NH., who started the race in seventh position, finished in the runner up spot followed by Ken Barry, Preston, CT., Kirk Alexander, West Swanzey, NH., and 17 year old Norwich Free Academy student, Max Zachem, Preston, CT. At one point in the race Zachem was joined in the top five by fellow highschooler Joey Jarvis, Ascutney. Both drivers will graduate from high school in June.
Sixth through tenth was Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT., Joey Jarvis, Charlie Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, and Eddie Spiers, Beacon Falls, CT.
Hinckley was also the recipient of a $400 bonus posted by motorsports columnist, Kevin Rice of Area Auto Racing News for the best average between finish the two races at Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY and Thunder Road.

Date: May 30, 2010
Event: Thunder Road International Speedbowl Memorial Day Classic 100, race 5
Distance: 100 Laps
Time of Race: 52:32.527
Margin of Victory: 0.893
Best Lap Time: Steve Masse, 12.317
Lap Leaders: Annarummo (1-18) Masse (19-100)
Cautions: (18, 18, 19, 40, 56, 71, 73, 90, 90, 90, 97)

Order of Finish:
1. 13. Stephen Mase- Bellingham, MA
2. 1nh Rob Goodenough- Swanzey, NH
3. 2 Ken Barry- Preston, CT
4. 43 Kirk Alexander- Swanzey, NH
5. 79 Max Zachem- Preston, CT
6. 06 Les Hinckley- Windsor Locks, CT
7. 9nh Joey Jarvis- Ascutney, VT
8. 5 Charlie Pasteryak- Libson, CT
9. 28 Dwight Jarvis- Ascutney, VT
10. 18 Eddy Spiers- Beacon Falls, CT
11. 50 Matt Hirschman- Northampton, PA
12. 12 Todd Annarummo- Swansea, MA
13. 53 Norm Wrenn- Nashua, NH
14. 0 John Cleary- Madison, CT
15. 8 Kurt Vigeant- Oxford, MA
16. 77 Kenny White Jr.- Weare, NH
17. 72 Jimmy Kuhn- Bridgewater, MA
18. 58 Eric Goodale- Wading River, NY
19. 70 Andy Seuss- Hampstead, NH
20. 21 Geoffrey Gernhard- Salem, CT
21. 73 Jon McKennedy- Chelmsford, MA
22. 05 Jacob Dore- Sanford, ME
23. 69 Jim Dolan- Bethel, CT
24. 25 Rowan Pennink, Northampton, MA

May 29 - Oswego Speedway - RoC - 3

1. 22 Chuck Hossfeld
2. 51 Bill Hebing
3. 60 Matt Hirschman
4. 25 Mike Leaty
5. 98 Erick Rudolph
6. 99 Jeff Hamman
7. 69 Tommy Cloce
8. 4 Bob Reis
9. 3 Daren Scherer
10. 47 Jim Storace
11. 11 Rick Kluth
12. 5 Kyle Ebersole
13. 10 Daryl Lewis, Jr.
14. 04 Tony Hanbury
15. 98 Bryon Chew
16. 34 Rusty Smith
17. 87 Michael Speeney
18. 6 Jan Leaty
19. 88 Billy Putney
20. 22 Pete Brittain
21. 27 Andrew Walko
22. 59 Karl Hehr
23. 05 Terry Cheetham
24. 14 Doug Reaume
25. 1 Chris Risdale
26. 72 T.J. Potrzebowski
27. 03 Patrick Emerling
28. 08 Tommy Farrell

May 23 - Sundance Speedway - $5,000 to win - 6

While competing with several of the top Modified drivers in the Northeast, along with “Jon Boy” Brown, one of the stars of Madhouse in competition, Earl Paules of Palmerton hit the pits for a right rear tire with 20 laps remaining and came back to take the $5000 “Drive for Five” victory Sunday at Sundance Vacations Speedway. Harry Sager of Hanover Twp. Notched this first career Street Stock victory and Mike Kline of Lancaster scored his second-straight 4 Cyl. FWD main event win. Zane Zeiner ran the fastest lap of the day in time trials and the top eight qualifiers redrew for starting positions prior to the start of the 100-lap Modified main event. Coming off two straight victories at the speedway, Kyle Ebersole ran the sixth fastest qualifying time and pulled number one for his starting spot. Dave Schneider lined up along side of Ebersole and the green flag waved. With one lap complete, Paules had worked into the second spot, followed by Zeiner, Schneider and Bobby Jones. Matt Hirschman cracked the top five and took the fourth spot from Jones on lap 13. Not long after he overtook Zeiner for third. The caution flag waved on lap 28 when Anthony Sesely slowed on the track. Green flag racing resumed and Paules edged out Ebersole for the race lead. A Nick Pecko spin on lap 39 brought out another yellow and Ebersole headed to the pits. Paules stayed on the racetrack and retained the lead. Hirschman held second with Zeiner, Jones and John Fortin in tow.
A lap 44 yellow slowed the field and following the restart, Hirschman took advantage of Paules’ fading car and took the lead on lap 48. Zeiner followed into second. Paules slipped to third, followed by Jones. Ebersole worked back to fifth by mid race.
Hirschman surrendered the lead to Zeiner when he pitted for rubber during a lap 52 yellow. Several others hit the pits as well, including Rusty Smith, Pete Brittain, Paules, Larry Fisher and Danny Sammons. Jones moved up to the runner up spot when the others pitted. Todd Baer held third, followed by Alan Creveling and Ebersole. Meanwhile, Ebersole and Paules began to charge toward the top five. They both got by Baer to take third and fourth respectively on lap 63. The following lap they overtook Jones for second and third and then Ebersole got by Zeiner for the race lead on lap 70. A caution flew a lap 80 when Brittain spun in turn four while challenging for the third position. Paules was the only driver to pit under the yellow. With only 12 laps remaining and while running in the runner up spot, Hirschman tried to make an inside pass work in turn three. The cars touched and Ebersole spun around. Zeiner was also collected and all three drivers were sent to the rear of the field for the restart. Fortin inherited the race lead, followed by Fisher, Jones, Pecko and Paules. While racing hard in the top five, Pecko spun in turn two to bring out a lap 92 yellow. With a great restart, Jones overtook Fortin and appeared to be on his way to what would have been the best win of his career. However, the cards changed with the yellow waved with five laps remaining when Fortin and Fisher tangled in turns one and two. With only with laps remaining following the restart, Paules overtook Jones and drove away with the $5,000 victory.
Pitting with 20 laps to go was risky for the winner, yet he proved that it was the right decision. “We didn’t have the best car today”, he said. “With 20 to go I called down to the guys to see if we had any tires. They said yeah, so I came in and they threw on one the right rear”.
Jones was forced to settle for a second place effort. Smith, Zeiner and Baer completed the top five. “Jon Boy” Brown fought a tight racecar all day and settled for a 13th place effort in the Wanick Motorsports #1w.

Modified (100-Laps) 1. EARL PAULES 2. Bobby Jones 3. Rusty Smith 4. Zane Zeiner 5. Todd Baer 6. Matt Hirschman 7. Kyle Ebersole 8. Nick Pecko 9. Barry Callavini 10. John Fortin 11. David Schneider 12. Nick Gargiulo 13. Jonathan Brown 14. Lew Hallock 15. Larry Fisher 16. Alan Creveling 17.Pete Brittain 18. Anthony Sesely 19. Danny Sammons 20. Marissa Niederauer 21. Harry Buchman 22.Frank Russo 23. Tommy Wanick


May 21 - Albany - Saratoga Speedway - RoC/MRS

Pennink Best of The East at Albany-Saratoga Speedway

Malta, New York- Huntington Valley, PA, modified racer, Rowan Pennink overcame a cut tire on lap three and came back to win the 100 lap East-West Showdown at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta, New York.
The race was co-sanctioned by the Modified Racing Series, sponsored by the BobValentiAutomall.com and the Race of Champions DART Asphalt Series. Pete Brittain, Oakhurst, New Jersey led the first forty-seven-laps before yielding the top spot to Earl Paules, Palmerton, PA. Paules set a torrid pace until lap seventy-six when Pennink claimed the top spot. Pennink went on to score his second Modified Racing Series win. The victory was the third for car owner, Gary Cassela of Saugas, Mass. The race was marred by 15 caution periods including, a crash that saw 2009 Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year, Jacob Dore, Sanford, Maine, vault over the second place car, Brittain while battling for the position. Like Pennink, Sean Bodreau, Claremont, NH overcame an early race mishap to finish a strong third ahead of Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT, Rob Goodenough, Swanzey, NH, Daren Scherer, Binghamton, NY, Norman Wrenn, Nashua, NH, Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT, and Kenny Barry, Preston, CT.
The Modified Racing Series now moves on to a holiday double-header weekend at Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY May 29th and Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, VT May 30th.

RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART ASPHALT MODIFIED TOUR/MRS TOUR EAST VERSUS WEST MODIFIED 100 OFFICIAL RESULTS
ALBANY SARATOGA SPEEDWAY – MAY 21ST, 2010.

1. 25 Rowan Pennink
2. 8 Earl Paules
3. 17 Sean Bodreau
4. 06 Les Hinckley
5. 1nh Rob Goodenough
6. 3 Daren Scherer
7. 53 Norm Wrenn
8. 0 Mike Holdridge
9. 34 Rusty Smith
10. 2 Ken Berry
11. 18 Eddy Spiers
12. 22 Pete Brittain
13. 05 Jacob Dore
14. 60 Matt Hirschman
15. 9nh Joey Jarvis
16. 87 Mike Speeney
17. 79 Max Zachem
18. 28 Dwight Jarvis
19. 77 Kenny White, Jr.
20. 58 Eric Goodale
21. 47 Jim Storace
22. 73 Jon McKennedy
23. 44 Rick Kluth
24. 76 Shelly Perry
25. 12 Todd Annarummo
26. 10x Mike Ordway, Jr.
27. 55 Joe Doucette
28. 69 Jim Dolan

Race Length – 1:15:04.651

May 16 - Shangri La II Speedway - 17th

Any race car driver always likes seeing their name as the first winner of a new event or at a new race track. That was the case on Sunday afternoon at the Shangri–La II Speedway as Chuck Hossfeld won the Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour opener, the first RoC sanctioned event at the track. Hossfeld of Ransomville, NY started sixth in the field of 28 ground pounding Modifieds. Chuck used the outside groove of the half mile concrete oval to get into second by lap five. For the next sixty laps Hossfeld kept working over leader Pete Brittain with a variety of outside and inside challenges. Just after lap 64 was completed Hossfeld darted to the inside of Brittain entering turn one grabbing the lead. Brittain who started on the pole tried the same exact move with one lap to go but failed to make the pass for the lead. This failed attempt by Brittain bottled up the pack behind him setting off a wild scramble to the finish line. Hossfeld in for the popular $2,800 win followed by Wilbur Hebing, Daren Scherer, Brittain, and Erick Rudolph who recovered nicely from a lap 25 spin to finish fifth. “ It’s good to win the first one here “ said the smiling winner in the post race tech inspection area. “ In this day and age where you go to tracks and they’re deteriorating, it’s discouraging. Then when you go to a nice new race track like here and Albany – Saratoga, it shows me that there is a future in our type of racing which is great. “ Running behind leader Pete Brittain for sixty laps Chuck did find out one big item that enabled him to set up his winning pass. “ It took him three or four laps to really get going after a restart; I figured that I had to attack right after a restart ( lap 62 ). He did what he had to do by holding and protecting the bottom, but I worked him over high and low all day and it paid off in the end. “
Hossfeld faced another factor in making his winning pass and that was oil dry all over the track due to complete track oil down by Brian DeFebo. “ Yes I was concerned with all of that oil dry on the track. But I was running higher on the track and I figured that he had to protect the bottom and with all of that oil dry down there that would be an advantage for me. “ The win was special for Chuck but he knew that he wouldn’t have made it to the winners circle without his hard working crew and powerful engine under the hood. “ I want to thank my team as they put a lot of hours in, don’t get a lot of recognition, and I think they are one of the best teams out there right now. I have a lot of talented people on my team and I have a great motor program with Ron Hutter right now. Every track you need horsepower and I know with a Hutter you have that horsepower when you need it the most especially here with the long straights. “ Ontario, NY driver Wilbur Hebing ended up second in the Ed McGuire owned car. “ We’re very happy with the way the car went and I’m happy for Ed as he was supposed to stay home ( operation this past week ) but I saw his van up there outside of turn one and I knew he couldn’t stay home. “ Wilbur who started fifth had one of, if not the fastest car during the feature. “ The longer the race stayed green the more the car would come to me. I know the guys in front of me started to get loose late in the race and I figured that the 22 cars would get together and I wasn’t sure that if they did I could stay out of it or not. But I did and came home in second which is a good finish for us and a nice way to bring the car home in one piece instead of on a wrecker. “
Binghamton, NY driver Daren Scherer started second and hung around the top five all race long and got a break at the end to finish third. “ Our car was getting real loose at the end and all of those cautions late in the race helped us out. We’ll take a third as that is a good way to start the year out on the Tour. “ Qualifying heat races for the 30 car field saw heat wins captured by Matt Hirschman, Rudolph, Brittain, and Earl Paules.

RoC N’ CONCRETE RUMBLINGS; Many first time racers and race fans packed the facility making it unofficially the largest attended event in the history of the track that opened last summer. Many long time attendees of the old Shangri–La Speedway were on hand trading racing stories while checking out the new facility. The Modifieds were turning laps on the half mile oval in the mid to low 17 second bracket all day long. Track builder, owner, and promoter George Swansbrough decided to add all Modifieds that made it through the heat races due to the tremendous support on the day. Chris Risdale suffered mechanical woes in hot laps ending his day. Ken Canestrari and Tommy Cloce got together at the start of heat number three with both drivers ending up hard into the homestretch outside wall, Canestrari called it a day at that point while Cloce repaired his car to make the feature only to have smoke from the engine ending his day. Doug Reaume who wrecked his car severely here two weeks ago was back in the same machine. After blowing a right front tire in the feature and slamming the turn three outside wall Jim Storace complained of neck pain, he was removed from the car and transported to a local hospital for observation. There was no update on his condition at press time. The late race left front flat of Jan Leaty cost him a top five finish while defending and two time RoC Champion Matt Hirschman got tapped which blew his left rear at the same time taking a top ten away from him. The show was taped for Trackwide Thunder and will be shown on Time Warner Cable Sports on June 3rd with Doug Elkins and Dan Harpell calling the action.

FINISH; Chuck Hossfeld, Wilbur Hebing, Daren Scherer, Pete Brittain, Erick Rudolph, Earl Paules, Kyle Ebersole, Steven Reed, Andy Walko, Mike Leaty, Billy Putney, Rick Kluth, Byron Chew, Mike Speeney, TJ Potrzebowski, Rusty Smith, Matt Hirschman, Jan Leaty, Scott Conover, Zack Shove, Doug Reaume, Brian DeFebo, Jim Storace, Bob Reis, John Markovic, Lenny Fischer, Tommy Cloce, Matt Clemens.
DID NOT START; Ken Canestrari, Chris Risdale.
LAP LEADERS; Brittain ( 1 – 64 ), Hossfeld ( 65 – 75 ).
DART MACHINERY AWARD ( FROM ALBANY – SARATOGA ) $1,500 SET OF HEADS; Shove.
GATER RACING NEWS DRIVER BONUS DRAW ( FROM ALBANY – SARATOGA ) $500; Hirschman.
HOOSIER RACING TIRE HARD CHARGER AWARD; Ebersole 20th to 7th.
HOOSIER RACING TIRE HARD LUCK AWARD; Storace 4th to 23rd.

SPEED51.com
SHORT TRACK DRAFT
Pick #7

Matt Hirschman
Age - 27
Hometown - Northhampton, PA

Series - Mods

Many footballers hone their skills and play their college ball at schools far from home. Matt Hirschman's career hasn't been anything like that. He still turns wrenches on his race machines at the family's Hirschman Garage and Speed shop just steps from his bedroom on Mud Lane in Northampton, Pennsylvania. But when you have a legendary lineup of coaches right there - like Matt's father Tony Hirschman and neighbor Eric Beers, what is the point of leaving the nest?
The number of races in anything other than a Modified that Hirschman has run in his career can be counted on one hand. He's done fairly well too in a few starts in what is now known as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East division. But in Modifieds, he really shines. He's won the Mason-Dixon Meltdown and the North South Shootout. He's won races during Florida Speedweeks. He finished second in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standings to Ted Christopher. He's won RoC Modified titles.
Hirschman has gotten those accomplishments due to his intensity, but that intensity isn't always his best friend when it comes to play the game of moving up in racing. A reputation of being a little hard to work with has scared a few talent scouts away, but that is nothing that a little bit of polish and coaching couldn't fix. Besides, wouldn't you rather have a driver in your car that wants to win too much than a driver who doesn't care about running up front and is worrying about his next photo opportunity or Twitter entry instead?

April 17: Mahoning Speedway: Poker Series 2009 Finale - Win

By Dino Oberto

(LEHIGHTON, PA 4-17-10) In what has become the norm in 100-lap Modified races at Mahoning Valley Speedway, it was another wild and exciting showdown with the outcome being played out right down to the final laps. With two laps to go Eric Beers was not only eyeing the $3000 first place money but he also was in a position to take home the lion’s share of the poker series tournament, an additional $2500. This event was the holdover finale of the 2009 Modified Poker Series that had been postponed due to inclement weather. As has been the case in most every extra distance Mahoning races, this one was a true barnburner.From lap 50 to lap 98 Eric Beers and Earl Paules staged a fierce dogfight for the lead but in the end it was 18th place starter Matt Hirschman who parked in Victory Lane. Beers tangled with lapped traffic and Paules had to back down in order to avoid being part of it.Running a close third at the time was Hirschman who was able to drive around the encounter and score the popular win.“Not bad for a borrowed ride. The car we normally race here got wrecked a couple of weeks ago. This car is from Connecticut and owned by Bob Moore and he towed it all the way out here by himself just to give me a ride tonight and I appreciate all he’s done for me and I can’t thank him enough,” said Hirschman who won an additional $1000 for placing third in the Poker Series. It was also the second straight 100-lapper that the Northampton star had scored at the paved ¼-mile.“The guys did a great job. We made a bunch of pit stops just to fine tune on it and we made it right and made it count.” Time trials locked the top 12 into the grid with Beers setting fast time at 9.756-seconds and New Jersey’s Anthony Sesely second quick at 9.786. An inversion then saw Bobby Jones and Chip Santee on the front row and with the drop of Dick Brown’s race commencing green Jones shot into the lead with Paules in chase. Paules had his car working very well from the high groove although Jones did a nice job of holding him at bay. Meanwhile John Markovic, Zane Zeiner and defending track champion John Bennett had a very close battle going on behind the front duel. By lap 29 Zeiner had broke free and reeled in the top two. On lap 32 he was able to dip down inside of Jones and take over the lead. One lap later Paules and Bennett got together and had to restart from the rear. An impressive run by Sesely was being turned in as well as the former D/A Mod champ ran second. Kory Rabenold was also in the top five at this time. As expected Beers was also making his presence felt as he cracked the top five on lap 34. Driving the DeLange Racing #76, Beers was his usual hard charging self to the front as he disposed of Jones and Rabenold and then did the same to Sesely by lap 39. He was now hunting down Zeiner and as the 44th tour was going into the books, Beers used his rhythm off turn four from the outside to sail into the lead.By midrace Paules had worked back to second and began his clash with Beers. For the next 48 laps it was nip tuck and side-by-side. All the while there wasn’t much noticed paid to Hirschman who was mired back in 10th spot after several pit stops.Thanks to some savvy driving Hirschman was able to pick his way through a very stout pack of cars and with ten laps remaining found himself riding behind the leaders.Traffic was everywhere which played a key role in the conclusion of the race. As the two to go signal was given Beers and Paules where near even and approaching lapped cars. In the path of Beers was Rabenold who was busy negotiating back markers himself. Racing room was sparse and as Beers and Paules came roaring up on Rabenold contact ensued. Beers got the worst of it as he collided into the back of Rabenold. Paules just slipped by but it was Hirschman who avoided all the action and vaulted into to the lead. With two laps remaining he was able to fend off Paules and notch his second straight 100-lapper. Don wager had a great race and registered third while Markovic and Rick Reichenbach completed the top five.“That was some great racing there. Earl (Paules) had a real good car to be able to fight like that on the outside and all I could do is really watch and keep close there in case something happened,” said Hirschman. “Eric (Beers) is usually dominant here for the most part and normally no one would have that opportunity but he just wasn’t as good. Earl was real good or even a little better and I felt I was just as good. Eric had him (Paules) choked down there just enough to keep us all in there and then even Donny (Wagner) showed up there in the end.“But that’s Mahoning Valley and I’m just glad that I can now be a part of it instead of always being back in sixth or so watching it.”
Paules was indeed one of the fastest cars all night and despite coming up one spot short, he did get double second place money as he also earned the runner-up hand in the Poker Series worth an additional $1500. “Well, it all started in the beginning. Bobby (Jones) had a really good car and I was just pacing myself there in second and I was bidding my time. We definitely had the best car out there tonight but you can’t complain about second here at Mahoning Valley,” said Paules. With his eighth place tally Brian DeFebo won the Poker Series Tournament and $2500. His winning hand was three sevens.
Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Matt Hirschman 2.Earl Paules 3.Don Wagner 4.John Markovic 5.Rick Reichenbach 6.John Bennett 7.Stacy Brown 8.Brian DeFebo 9.Tony Hanbury 10.Rich Kuiken, Jr. 11.Zane Zeiner 12.Eric Beers 13.Kory Rabenold 14.Bobby Jones 15.Lonnie Behler 16.Chip Santee 17.Matt Higgins 18.Andy Szapacs 19.Anthony Sesely 20.James Pritchard, Jr. 21.Jimmy Zacharias

Did not qualify: Bill Teel, Rob Shultz

March 28- Waterford Speedway - MRS - 2

Doug Coby of Milford Conn., won the opening Modified Racing Series sponsored by Bob Valenti Automall.com race of the 2010 season at Waterford Speedbowl. Coby passed defending series champion Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, Mass. on lap 44 and led the rest of the way to score a .79 second victory over Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. McKennedy finished third.
“The car was very consistent all day,” said Coby. “We ran our fastest lap of the race with about five to go. It feels great to win.” It was the second career series win for Coby who started this race in the Czarnecki Brothers race team #20 in the 8th position. Both of his victories have occurred at Waterford, the previous win was in May of 2009. Coby is the first driver to repeat a victory at the Connecticut shoreline oval in nine series races dating back to 2006. McKennedy, who started the race in the second position, got the jump on pole sitter Dave Etheridge to lead the first lap. McKennedy was initially pressured by Andy Seuss as Coby worked his way to the Top-3 by lap 30. Coby took over the second position on a lap 32 restart and closed in on the leader taking the point on lap 44. Behind Coby, Matt Hirschman worked his way up from a 17th place starting position to grab second on lap 62. Hirschman then began to fell pressure for the runner-up position by Rowan Pennink. Pennink had been forced to start last after changing motors following qualifying. He methodically worked his way through the field and eventually passed Hirschman for second on lap 75. Pennink then began to apply heavy pressure on Coby but was forced to the pit area on lap 90 after running out of gas. Hirschman and McKennedy then chased Coby over the final laps. Andy Seuss made a late race charge and finished fourth. Jacob Dore, last seasons Rookie of the Year, rounded out the Top-5. The next event for the Modified Racing Series sponsored by Bob Valenti Automall.com is at the Albany Saratoga Speedway in Malta, N.Y. on April 17-18.

Unofficial Results of the Modified Racing Series sponsored by Bob Valenti Automall.com 100 lap race at Waterford Speedbowl showing finish, starting position, driver, hometown and laps completed.

1. (9), Doug Coby, Milford, CT, 100
2. (17), Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA, 100
3. (2), Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA, 100
4. (5), Andy Seuss, Hampstead, NH, 100
5. (11), Jacob Dore, Sanford, ME, 100
6. (16), Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT, 100
7. (4), Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY, 100
8. (23), Stephen Masse, Bellingham, MA, 100
9. (1), Dave Etheridge, Portland, CT, 100
10. (3), Rowan Pennink, Huntington Valley, PA, 100
11. (26), Joey Jarvis, Ascutney, VT, 99
12. (20), Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH, 90
13. (19), Todd Annarummo, Swansea, MA, 86
14. (6), Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT, 80
15. (15), Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT , 80
16. (24), Eddy Spiers, Beacon Falls, CT, 80
17. (25), Jimmy Dolan, Bethel, CT, 80
18. (10), Joe Doucette, Framingham, MA, 76
19. (13), Rob Janovic, Jr., Waterford, CT, 70
20. (7), John Fortin, Mastic, NY, 56
21. (14), Todd Owen, Somers, CT, 52
22. (12), Todd Patnode, Swanzey, NH, 52
23. (18), Shelly Perry, Westerly, RI, 43
24. (21), Jack Bateman, Canaan, NH, 26
25. (22), Louie Mechalides, Tyngsboro, MA, 2
26. (8), Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI, 2

LAP LEADERS: Jon McKennedy 1-43, Doug Coby 44-100
MARGIN OF VICTORY: .79 seconds
CAUTION PERIODS: 11

March 20: Orange County Speedway, Frostbite Modified Winter Nationals
JOSH JENKINS MEMORIAL 125 RESULTS.
1. Brian King
2. Burt Myers
3. Ted Christopher
4. Zach Brewer
5. Josh Nichols
6. Jason Myers
7. James Civali
8. Jimmy Zacharias
9. Scott Rigney
10. Gary Young, Jr.
11. Mike Norman
12. John Markovic
13. Barry Callavini
14. Matt Hirschman
15. George Brunnhoelzl, III

Frostbite Modified Event Returns to Orange County March 20th

Charles Kepley of C&C Racing Souvenirs and promoter of open Modified events like the North-South Shootout, has brought back the Frostbite Modified Winter Nationals for the second-straight year. The event will be held on Saturday, March 20th at Orange County Speedway. Matt Hirschman was victorious in the first-annual running of the event last year.
This year?s event will feature a 125 green-flag lap Tour-Type Modified event for a $2500-to-win, $600-to-start purse, with Legends Cars and the Ace Speedway Modifieds as support divisions. Drivers already committed to the event include Hirschman, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion George Brunnhoelzl III and ?Madhouse? stars Burt and Jason Myers. Further details and support divisions will be announced shortly, but in the meantime, more information can be obtained on www.northsouthshootout.com

Feb 13: New Smyrna Speedway: 100 Laps - Time 4 Start 4 Finish 1

Quotes from Matt in Victory Lane:
"This has got to be the most famous race i have ever won"

"This is the race that all drivers circle on their schedule that they want to win when you come to New Smyrna. I know that I wont be able to race at New Smyrna for speedweeks every year but I know our name will be in the record books and i am very proud of that for our team who worked hard all week."

about the move for the win: " That was the move we had to make - We come down here basically Tour legal and are sometimes up against those that push the rules to the limits so sometimes we are at a disadvantage"

about Riche Evans: "I grew up in Modified racing and Riche Evans was out of the picture by the time I was able to comprehend what was going on at the track. Between my dad and Mike Stefanik, who are my heroes in Modified racing, they have told the stories and have explained to my generation of racers how good Richie was and that he will probably s always known as the greatest Modified driver ever. So to win this Memorial race at New Smyrna SPeedway means alot to me as a student of the history of Modified Racing. This means as much to me as the Richie Evans Memorial races I have won in the past at Oswego Speedway."

The grand finale of New Smyrna's World Series is the Richie Evans Memorial 100 and #59 Matt Hirschman took home the victory. Grabbing 2nd was #79 James Civali with #6 Ronnie Silk, #19 Rowan Pennink and #5x Kyle Ebersol rounding out the top 5. #00 Ted Christopher grabs the championship for 2010.

Position Driver Car
1 Matt Hirschman 59
2 James Civali 79
3 Ronnie Silk 6
4 Rowan Pennick 19
5 Kyle Ebersol 5x
6 Kevin Goodale 50
7 Eric Goodale 58
8 Bobby Grigas III 09
9 John Jensen 14
10 Jimmy Zachrias 71
11 Tommy Cloce 69
12 Chris Jensen 91
13 Kevin Flockhart 80
14 Ted Christopher 00
15 Charlie Pasteryak 5
16 Ed Brunnhoelzl 8x
17 Russ Savoy 17
18 Chuck Hossfeld 22
19 Eric LeClair x6
20 J.R. Bertuccio 2
21 Josh Nichols 2x
22 TJ Zacharias 48
23 Mike Rosa 179
24 David Roys 12
25 Matt Clemens 1
26 George Bierce 9
27 Jason Mignogna x5
28 Rob Schutlz 10x

Feb 12: New Smyrna Speedway: Rain

Feb 11: New Smyrna Speedway: 25 Laps - TIme 10 - Finish 16

The #6 Silk led #22 Chuck Hossfeld, #79 James Civali, #58 Eric Goodale and #09 Bobby Grigas III in the Tour-Type Modified feature.

Position Driver Car
1 Ronnie Silk 6
2 Chuck Hossfeld 22
3 James Civali 79
4 Eric Goodale 58
5 Bobby Grigas III 09
6 J.R. Bertuccio 2
7 John Jensen 14
8 Kevin Flockhart 80
9 Ed Brunnhoelzl 8x
10 Kyle Ebersol 5x
11 Chris Jensen 91
12 Eric LeClair x6
13 Barry Callavini 4
14 Ted Christopher 00
15 Rowan Pennick 19
16 Matt Hirschman 59
17 Russ Savoy 2x
18 Jimmy Zachrias 71
19 Charlie Pasteryak 5
20 Tommy Cloce 69
21 David Roys 12
22 George Bierce 9
23 Kevin Goodale 50

Feb 10: New Smyrna Speedway: 50 Laps - TIme 2- Finish 6

JOHN BLEWETT III MEMORIAL 50
#00 Ted Christopher wins the 3rd Annual John Blewett III Memorial 50 feature tonight. #22 Chuck Hossfeld grabbed second with #79 James Civali, #58 Eric Goodale, #19 Rowan Pennink and #59 Matt Hirschman rounding out the top 6. #6 Ronnie Silk crossed the line in 2nd but was DQ'd for the night due to his motor not passing tech.

Position Driver Car
1 Ted Christopher 00
2 Chuck Hossfeld 22
3 James Civali 79
4 Eric Goodale 58
5 Rowan Pennick 19
6 Matt Hirschman 59
7 Charlie Pasteryak 5
8 Bobby Grigas III 09
9 J.R. Bertuccio 2
10 John Jensen 14
11 Barry Callavini 4
12 Kyle Ebersol 5x
13 Eric LeClair x6
14 Kevin Flockhart 80
15 Jimmy Zachrias 71
16 Chris Jensen 91
17 Tommy Cloce 69
18 Russ Savoy 2x
19 George Bierce 9
20 Rob Fuller 17
21 Kevin Goodale 50
22 Ed Brunnhoelzl 8x
23 Ronnie Silk 6


Feb 9: New Smyrna Speedway: 25 Laps - RAIN

Matt's thoughts so far this week: "Both races have gone green to checker without many passing oppertunities "


Feb 8: New Smyrna Speedway: 25 Laps - time 7 - start 7 - finish 6
#6 Ronnie Silk passed #00 Ted Christopher for the lead and ended up the victor in the 25 lap Tour-Type Modified feature. Christopher jumped out to an early lead from his outside pole start, but Silk stayed right with TC and just past the midway point made his move for the lead. Christopher hung on for 2nd with #14 John Jensen Sr, #50 Kevin Goodale and #17 Rob Fuller, all in tow across the line.

Position Driver Car
1 Ronnie Silk 6
2 Ted Christopher 00
3 John Jensen 14
4 Kevin Goodale 50
5 Rob Fuller 17
6 Matt Hirschman 59
7 Chuck Hossfeld 22
8 Rowan Pennick 19
9 Eric Goodale 58
10 J.R. Bertuccio 2
11 Bobby Grigas III 09
12 Jimmy Zachrias 71
13 Ed Brunnhoelzl 8x
14 Tommy Cloce 69
15 Chris Jensen 91
16 Barry Callavini 4
17 Eric LeClair x6
18 Gary Putnam 7
19 David Roys 12
20 Russ Savoy 2x
21 George Bierce 9
22 Tim Sullivan 80

Feb 6: New Smyrna Speedway: 25 Laps - time 2 - start 5 - finish 6

#00 Ted Christopher grabbed the opening night Tour-Type Modified feature at New Smyrna Speedway. TC timed 5th fastest and after a top 6 invert, he garnered an outside pole start. At the green, TC jumped into the lead and never looked back. Following Christopher across the line were: #14 John Jensen Sr, #19 Rowan Pennink, #22 Chuck Hossfeld, #6 Ronnie Silk.

Position Driver Car
1 Ted Christopher 00
2 John Jensen (father) 14
3 Rowan Pennick 19
4 Chuck Hossfeld 22
5 Ronnie Silk 6
6 Matt Hirschman 59
7 Eric Goodale 58
8 Rob Fuller 17
9 J.R. Bertuccio 2 (green)
10 Kevin Goodale 50
11 Ed Brunnhoelzl 8
12 Tommy Cloce 69
13 Bobby Grigas III 09
14 John Chris Jensen (son) 91
15 Barry Callavini 4
16 Eric LeClair x6
17 Kevin Flockhart 80
18 David Royce 12
19 Russ Savoy 2 (white)
20 George Bierce 9
21 Jimmy Zachrias 71


Feb 5: New Smyrna Speedway: 25 Laps - Rain

2009 News and Results
2008 News and Results
2007 News and Results

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