2020
Matt Hirschman celebrates victory in the Tri-Track Open Modified Series SBM 121 Saturday, July 25 at Star Speedway ( Story by Shawn Courchesne/RaceDayCT)
EPPING, N.H. – It’s fair to say at most Tri-Track Open Modified Series events since the division’s inception the road to victory lane more often than not means beating Matt Hirschman. Hirschman has been the dominant force of the series since its introduction in 2014. But on July 5 in the 2020 season opener for the series at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H., Hirschman wasn’t even so much as a contender for a top-five finish.
Hirschman finished seventh at Monadnock and never cracked the top-five in the event. It was a performance that lit a fire under the Northampton, PA Modified veteran. Saturday at Star Speedway Hirschman showed the result of stoking that fire within. Hirschman passed Matt Swanson for the lead on a lap 113 restart and went on to win the Tri-Track Open Modified Series SBM 121 at Star Speedway. “Monadnock, to never even crack the top-five, I knew I had to get to work,” Hirschman said. “I’ve had success the last few weeks in Pennsylvania and part of that is because I went to work. But I needed to win here and kind of redeem myself a little bit and get back to feeling where I put the effort in and the results show on the track. I’ve been in that spot before and I just had to go to work.” Swanson, of Acton, Mass., was second and Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, N.Y. third. NASCAR Cup Series regular Ryan Preece of Berlin was sixth. Hirschman showed he was stout in the early going, getting by Craig Lutz for the lead on lap 25. Hirschman held that top spot until a caution on lap 85 sent most of the lead lap cars to the pits. Swanson, who had pitted under caution on lap 58, assumed the lead for the lap 85 restart with Hirschman restarting seventh. Hirschman was up to fourth by lap 98. He got by Jankowiak for third on lap 104 and a lap later made easy work of Eric Goodale for second place. By lap 112 Hirschman was looking on the high side against Swanson but caution flew again on lap 113. On the ensuing restart Swanson got sideways coming to the green allowing Hirschman to easily jump out front. The caution flew again on lap 114, but Hirschman was able to hold off Swanson on the final restart of the event. “Even myself having the fresher tires, I didn’t have that much more grip,” Hirschman said. “I think everybody really lost grip in the second half of the race. And the guys that pitted 20-something laps before me, they really showed it at the end. I didn’t have near as good a car at the end as I did about mid-race. But everybody fell off.” After having issues in both his heat race and consolation heat, Swanson used a promoter’s option to get into the feature, starting last in the 27-car field. “To come from the [consolation], we short pitted, we went through every hoop we could possibly go through today and my [Boehler Racing Enterprises] guys stuck with me and they believed in me and they never gave up on me and we almost got ourselves one there,” Swanson said. “[Hirschman], he’s won everything there is to win in an asphalt Modified. If I’m here at my home track banging bars with him with 10 laps to go that’s pretty cool. “It was such a wreckfest in the beginning. It was just one of those deals where you’re like ‘What the heck is going on here?’ You just had to keep your nose clean and be there at the end. We tried that and short pitted and just ran out of tires at the end.”
Jankowiak recovered from an early race issue to rally to third late. “Not much fun at all,” Jankowiak said. “I’m tired. We had such a good car and we got in a little jingle there early. Just racing, I don’t know if it was my fault or the other guy’s. It happens. I’m sure neither one of us wanted it to. And it kind of just got us all goofed up. We got hit in the left front so we had to come in and fix that. We got forced into the short pit strategy. … We were within a car length of getting lapped at one point. I had drive pretty hard just to stay on the lead lap in the middle part before the pit stops. We just got out of our strategy. We should be happy to be third. I’m just itching to win one of these things. We keep tiptoeing over there. We’re gonna get there. It’s a little discouraging because I think today we had the car to do it.”
Matt Hirschman normally doesn’t have a whole lot to prove when he shows up to a Tri-Track Open Modified Series event. However, that wasn’t the case Saturday afternoon at Star Speedway.After a subpar performance by his standards in the season opener at Monadnock Speedway, the Northampton, Pennsylvania driver went to work to get back on top. The driver known as “Big Money Matt” put in the work in the shop, and that effort resulted in his fifth career SBM 121 victory at the Epping, New Hampshire oval. Hirschman took the lead for the first time when he powered around Craig Lutz, the winner of the season opener at Monadnock, on Lap 25. However, he gave up the lead to Matt Swanson when he visited pit road for a fresh tire during the Lap 83 controlled caution. With a handful of cars electing to stay out, Hirschman had his work cut out for him restarting ninth with less than 40 laps to go. After making little progress during the first few laps after the caution, Hirschman began picking off positions following an extended caution on Lap 97. Ultimately, the race-winning move came on a restart with just over 10 laps to go when he powered around Swanson to secure the victory. Swanson had pitted earlier in the race and had roughly 20 more laps on his right-rear tire at the end of the race.“At the end, pitting later than they did showed up,” Hirschman said. “There was a caution around Lap 97 that was a lengthy one. That’s where those 20 laps (on the tires) really showed up because prior to that it was pretty tough restarting from ninth to get up into the fourth and fifth range; it was pretty tough work to even do that. I wasn’t too confident at that point, but the last 20 laps it really showed up.” Despite having four career victories in the race, Hirschman had not won the SBM race since 2017, a season in which he swept all four Tri-Track Open Modified Series races. Although that only gave him a two-year winless drought in the race, it was not something he was content with. “I needed to go to work,” Hirschman said. “We had been trending the wrong direction in this race. We finished third two years ago and fourth last year and those were the finishes we deserved. It wasn’t like we had a winning car and things didn’t work out. We had a third to fifth-place car and that’s where we finished. After years of success at this race track, I won the very first time I ever came here and I have a career winning percentage here unlike any other race track I’ve been to. It’s probably my best. To go a couple years without a win here and not really feel like I gave myself a car that could win, I needed to go to work.” A seventh-place finish in the season opener at Monadnock, a race he never became a factor in, provided another reminder that he needed to elevate his performance.“That race at Monadnock was kind of the last straw for me, having a performance where we never crack the top five all day. I went to work after that and I think it showed in our results back in Pennyslvania, but I needed to win here today to really prove myself,” Hirschman stated. “It’s the cycle of racing. Sometimes when you get where you feel like you’re on top or having something that work, you just roll with it. Everybody else is on the other end where they feel they need to get better if they’re going to beat the 60. They got better and I stayed the same and went backwards in results. That didn’t sit well with me. I almost needed that Monadnock performance to really kick me in the rear end and tell me it was time to go to work.” In the search for his first Tour-type Modified victory, Swanson played the strategy game to lead a handful of laps before finishing second to Hirschman. “The start of the race we started in the back and kind of just had to ride around the back to make sure we had something at the end. With these races, you can only put on one tire so you have to save the other three you start with. We waited around in the back, slowly picked our way through as we could and came in early before the cold caution there. The car really came to life after we put the tire on. I just had to calm myself down and make sure I wasn’t burning it off.“To be racing with Matt Hirschman, one of the best guys in an Asphalt Modified, he’s won about everything there is to win in an Asphalt Modified, there’s no one I’d rather be racing against. To hop through all the hoops we did today and come out with a strong second-place finish, I’ll take it.” Andy Jankowiak used a similar strategy to Swanson and ended the night with a strong third-place finish. Defending series champion Ronnie Williams and Long Island native Eric Goodale completed the top five.
SBM 121 Unofficial Results
Star Speedway (NH) – July 25, 2020
Pos . No. Driver
1 60 Matt Hirschman
2 3 Matt Swanson
3 12x Andy Jankowiak
4 25 Ronnie Williams
5 58 Eric Goodale
6 6ny Ryan Preece
7 92 Anthony Nocella
8 66 Austin Kochenash
9 8 Cam McDermott
10 50s Ron Silk
11 25NJ Calvin Carroll
12 7 Kurt Vigeant
13 76 Kirk Alexander
14 46 Craig Lutz
15 07 Bryan Narducci
16 0 Devin O'Connell
17 66nh Andy Shaw
18 62 Les Rose, Jr.
19 04 Dylan Izzo
20 5 Tommy Barrett
21 36 Dave Sapienza
22 99 Richard Savary
23 55 Ryan Doucette
24 06 Les Hinckley
25 50 Carl Medeiros, Jr.
26 176 Dana DiMatteo
27 81 Josh Cantara
Matt Hirschman wins 50 Lap Tour mOdified Race at Evergreen Raceway July 18
Matt Hirschman is now two for two at Evergreen Raceway however his win Sunday was earned. Hirschman started mid-pack in the 50 lap contest. Paul sitter Zane Zeiner rushed out to an early lead with Earl Paules and Brian Sones hot in pursuit. Sones rebounded nicely after narrowly missing the starting line up two week's prior. Zeiner would slowly creep away as Paules and Sones battled nip and tuck most of the event. All things changed on a lap 27 caution as Hirschman darted pit side to change a flat right rear tire. Roger Coss followed. Hirschman who restarted 15th with 23 laps remaining. Hirschman would inch forward catching other cautions at the perfect time. Hirschman would try every angle to find away around Zeiner. Hirschman coming to the 2 to go mark would finally use the outside to move out in front.
Matt Hirschman wins George Wambold Tribute on July 11 at Mahoning Valley Speedway
(JULY 11) Northampton’s Matt Hirschman turned in solid performance in picking up his first win of the season at Mahoning Valley Speedway, netting top honors in the George Wambold Tribute 81-lap main. The event was race number #2 of the 2020 Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series (MVSHoFS) and was an acknowledgment to the legendary Wambold, a multi-time track champion and many time winner. “This was very special to win a race in honor of George Wambold who was definitely one of the big names in eastern Pennsylvania racing,” said Hirschman from Victory Lane. “He was one of those tough guys that wheeled cars without power steering and head rests and any of that stuff and I can always appreciate those drivers. They were way tougher than today’s drivers and it’s nice that we’re honoring these guys with this Series.” Second starting Kochenash had grabbed the lead from the drop of the green over Nick Baer. Within 10 laps point leader Bobby Jones and seventh starter Hirschman where running in tow. By lap 18 Hirschman had took control of second. Kochenash, however, stayed attentive to his lead and kept Hirschman busy in trying both high and low lanes to make a pass over the next 24 laps. Just prior to a caution coming out on lap 43, Hirschman finally nipped him for the top spot and not long afterwards was facing off against Eric Beers. Beers and Hirschman where in contention to win in the first MVSHoFS event from the previous month but a tangle between them negated the thinkable outcome. On a lap 45 restart Beers had showed the power and out-dueled Hirschman for the lead but one lap later it would go back to the Harry’s U-Pull-It No. 60. From there on Hirschman wasn’t taking any chances as he stayed a few car lengths out ahead of the pack en route to his 19th career win at Mahoning Valley. “The thing here at Mahoning is you have to run as hard as you can because you never know what’s going on behind you but overall it was a good race,” explained Hirschman. “I was able to test the outside a little with the 72 (Kochenash) and then eventually with a couple moves on the bottom so it was good racing between us and then with Eric (Beers) on the restarts,” he continued. “You can’t really save anything here. Starting seventh we were able to make progress right away. You have to keep moving and you can’t always just settle in here, that’s the kind of track it is and why the racing is really good here.” After Hirschman took the lead for keeps Kochenash and Beers waged a great battle with the Wentz Auto Body No. 72 securing the spot in the final laps. Don Wagner bounced back and forth during the race before securing a hard-earned fourth and likewise with Kyle Strohl who edged Blake Barney in rounding out the top five.
Modified Feature Finish (81-laps): 1. Matt Hirschman, 2. Austin Kochenash, 3. Eric Beers, 4. Don Wagner, 5. Kyle Strohl, 6. Blake Barney, 7. Eddie McCarthy, 8. Roger Cross, 9. Gene Bowers, 10. Chuck Hossfeld, 11. Sean Verwys, 12. Jacob Kerstetter, 13. Lou Strohl, 14. Mike Stofflet, 15. Bobby Jones, 16. BJ Wambold, 17. Todd Bear, 18. Nick Bear, 19. Brian DeFebo, 20. Heath Metzger, 21. Josh Scherer, 22. Earl Paules, 23. Rod Snyder Jr., 24. Austin Beers, DNQ: Jack Ely, Ricky Collins, Terry Markovic, Jason Arthofer, John Markovic
Last-Lap Contact Leads to Words After Tri-Track Opener on July 50- MATT COMES HOME 7TH
(JULY 5) A last-lap bump-and-run move at Monadnock Speedway on Sunday night led to heated words in Victory Lane, as New York native Craig Lutz bumped fan-favorite Les Hinckley out of the way to win the Tri-Track Open Modified Series season opener. Hinckley lead the race until turn three on the final lap and appeared to be on the way to his first Tri-Track victory. Lutz, who worked his way up from a 22nd starting position, made a last-ditch effort in the final turn, making hard contact with the rear of Hinckley No. 06. Both cars got loose, but Lutz got back to the gas first and beat Hinckley to the line by 0.085 seconds. It was Lutz’s first career Tri-Track Modified win. “It is what it is,” Lutz said in Victory Lane. “I come here to win races. I came through the consi, started 22nd. It’s not the right way to win, but I’m still standing here in Victory Lane. We’re here to win races, not make friends, so that’s what we did today.” When asked if he would do the same thing again if given the chance, Lutz’s answer was simple. "Yeah. I mean I’m still sitting in Victory Lane, that’s all that matters to me.” But while Lutz was calm and collected in Victory Lane, Hinckley was furious. “[Lutz] just drove through me on the last lap,” Hinckley said. “Had no other choice, just flat out drove through me. What can you do? He can have the second-place trophy too.” Hinckley admitted that he knew a bump might have been coming, but he was not prepared for what he ended up receiving. “[I wasn’t expecting] to get driven through like that. I would have thought maybe he would have taken a shot on the outside. I don’t know what to say. That’s their type of racing. That’s what’s commonplace now. When I grew up, you didn’t do stuff like that, and when you did do it, it came back to you. It won’t happen again to me.” Hinckley, with support from the fans, threw a few words at Lutz after the race. During his Victory Lane interview, Hinckley overheard Lutz telling the raucous fans, “It is what it is” and responded with, "It ain’t what it ain’t, pal, you’re gonna pay." Lutz, unfazed by the jeers from the fans, smiled and simply said, “This is awesome.” Monadnock weekly racer Ben Byrne, who almost won this race last year, brought his bright green No. 6 home to a third-place finish after leading 31 of the 100 laps. Ron Silk, driving the Bob Horn Racing No. 50S, gained four spots in the last 10 laps to finish fourth. Chase Dowling, after fighting with Hinckley for the lead for more than 20 laps, completed the top five.
The Tri-Track Open Modifieds will hit the track again later this month, taking on the annual SBM 125 at Star Speedway (NH) on Saturday, July 25.
Tri-Track Open Modified Series Unofficial Results
Monadnock Speedway (NH) - July 5, 2020
Pos. Car No. Driver
1 46 Craig Lutz
2 06 Les Hinckley
3 6x Ben Byrne
4 50 Ron Silk
5 00 Chase Dowling
6 50K Matt Kimball
7 60 Matt Hirschman
8 6 Woody Pitkat
9 25 Ronnie Williams
10 3 Matt Swanson
11 36 Dave Sapienza
12 25NH Brian Robie
13 55 Ryan Doucette
14 4 Jeff Gallup
15 66 Austin Kochenash
16 7 Kurt Vigeant
17 47 Jacob Perry
18 14 Blake Barney
19 12x Andy Jankowiak
20 27 Derek Robbie
21 76 Kirk Alexander
22 1 Joey Cipriano
23 5 Tommy Barrett
24 13x Cameron Sontag
25 92 Anthony Nocella
26 44 Anthony Sesely
27 06MA Sam Rameau
28 15 TJ Bleau
Justin Bonsignore uses the bump and run to drive trhough Hirschman for the Win at White Mountain on July 4
(JULY 4) The first win was a dominating performance. The second was a late pass with a little help from the front bumper. In the end, Justin Bonsignore is 2-for-2 on the 2020 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season. The Holtsville, New York, driver used a bump-and-run to wrestle the lead away from Matt Hirschman with seven laps to go and then withstood a challenge from Hirschman and Doug Coby on a green-white-checkered finish to win the Independence Day 200 in the tour’s inaugural visit to White Mountain Motorsports Park. Bonsignore led every lap in winning the season opener at Pennsylvania’s Jennerstown Speedway. Saturday night, he dogged Hirschman in the closing laps before pushing him out of the way and claiming the lead. A late caution pushed the race to 205 laps and Bonsignore edged Hirschman by .127 seconds at the line. It was Bonsignore’s 28th career win, moving him into a tie with Mike Ewanitsko and defending tour champion Doug Coby for sixth all-time in tour history. Hirschman, who won the Mayhew Tools Pole Award earlier in the day, crossed the finish side-by-side with Coby. Tommy Catalano finished fourth and Woody Pitkat made a late run to finish fifth. Dave Sapienza was sixth, followed by Chris Pasteryak, Craig Lutz, Jon McKennedy and Chase Dowling. Bonsignore opened up an 11-point lead on Hirschman and a 17 point advantage on Lutz and Coby in the championship standings.
1 3 51 Justin Bonsignore Phoenix Communications Inc. (Kenneth Massa) Chevrolet 205 running 7 47
2 1 60 Matt Hirschman Pee Dee Motorsports (Roy Hall) Chevrolet 205 running 193 44
3 2 10 Doug Coby Mayhew Tools (Philip Moran) Chevrolet 205 running 0 41
4 19 54 Tommy Catalano Catalano Motorsports (Zachary Reissner) Chevrolet 205 running 0 40
5 14 1 Woody Pitkat Dunleavy's / Gunsmoke Stables Ford (Eddie Harvey) 205 running 0 39
6 9 36 Dave Sapienza Sapienza Enterprise (Judy Thilberg) Chevrolet 205 running 0 38
7 7 75 Chris Pasteryak Dawley's Collision & Custom (Charles Pasteryak) Chevrolet 205 running 0 37
8 12 46 Craig Lutz Riverhead Building Supply (Russell Goodale) Chevrolet 205 running 0 36
9 4 7 Jon McKennedy Ultra Wheel (Tommy Baldwin) Chevrolet 205 running 0 35
10 18 82 Chase Dowling Horton Avenue Materials LLC (Danny Watts Jr.) Chevrolet 205 running 0 34
11 15 22 Kyle Bonsignore Chalew Performance (Kyle Bonsignore) Chevrolet 205 running 0 33
12 17 06 Sam Rameau Central Mass Tree Chevrolet 205 running 0 32
13 25 25 Calvin Carroll Power with Prestige / Cruising w / Betty (Joe Carroll) Ford 205 running 0 31
14 11 92 Anthony Nocella Nocella Paving / K and D Associates / Airgas Chevrolet 204 running 0 30
15 16 07 Patrick Emerling Emerling Motorsports (Jennifer Emerling) Chevrolet 204 running 0 29
16 10 58 Eric Goodale GAF Roofing (Edgar Goodale) Chevrolet 203 running 0 28
17 22 34 J.B. Fortin John's Tree Removal / John's Fuel Oil (Nicole Fortin) Chevrolet 203 running 0 27
18 29 4 Jeff Gallup * Ceravolo's Auto (Richie Gallup) Chevrolet 203 running 0 26
19 24 45 Timmy Catalano Catalano Motorsports (David Catalano) Chevrolet 202 running 0 25
20 20 55 Jeremy Gerstner Lowder Const / KD Const (Dawn Gerstner) Chevrolet 201 running 0 24
21 23 2 J.R. Bertuccio Gershow Recycling (Joseph Bertuccio) Chevrolet 201 running 0 23
22 21 32 Tyler Rypkema * Musco / Nelcorp (Dean Rypkema) Chevrolet 200 running 0 22
23 30 56 Amy Catalano * Catalano Motorsports (Allie Brainard) Chevrolet 198 running 0 21
24 27 24 Andrew Krause Supreme Manufacturing Co. Inc. Chevrolet 163 engine 0 20
25 28 78 Walter Sutcliffe, Jr. Last Minute Racing (Steven Sutcliffe) Chevrolet 136 overheating 0 19
26 13 64 Rob Summers All Source / Hughes Motors / Hoosier Tire Eas (Mike Murphy) 116 crash 0 18
27 6 85 Ron Silk Stuart's Automotive (Kevin Stuart) Chevrolet 90 overheating 0 17
28 5 3 Matt Swanson USNE / SYP / All Phases (Jan Boehler) Chevrolet 51 power steering 0 16
29 8 66 Timmy Solomito Flamingo Motorsports / New England Gear (Jerry Solomito) Chevrolet 32 crash 0 15
30 31 30 Gary Byington * Hudson Speedway (Gary Byington) Chevrolet 7 handling 0 14
31 26 01 Melissa Fifield Pine Knoll Auto Sales (Kenneth Fifield) Chevrolet 7 steering 0 13
Matt Hirschman completes weekend sweep with victory at Evergreen Raceway on June 28
(6-28-20) Matt Hirschman had a long and hectic weekend but it paid dividends as he made bookends of the state of Pennsylvania, winning Saturday night at Lake Erie Speedway in Erie for the season opener on the Sunoco Race of Champions Tour and afterwards drove across the Keystone State to Evergreen Raceway in St. Johns where he pulled off another victory in less than 12 hours. Hirschman thrusted by Austin Beers on the second try of a lap 61 restart and then held off fast charging Zane Zeiner for his 34th career Modified win at Evergreen. “It’s just good to be back racing and this wasn’t easy to do with the distance between here and Erie and I really need to thank my guys. Some did both, some did yesterday and some today but it was a total team effort and I appreciate all the hours and miles on the road they put in,” said Hirschman after scoring his second 75-lap verdict of the weekend. All total Hirschman and Company put in 12 hours and 772 miles of driving back and forth between his Northampton home, Erie and St. Johns. They left Erie Speedway a little past midnight, went back to the shop, adjusted the car and then headed off to Evergreen. This was the first Modified race of the season at Evergreen and when the 20-car starting field came to the race commencing green it was pole sitter Chuck Hossfeld in Tom Wanick’s No. 1W shooting out front over Jack Ely, Austin Beers and Earl Paules. As Hossfeld led and had Ely two car lengths back, Beers and New Jersey invader Jimmy Blewett where waging a torrid side-by-side dual, a fight that eventually went to Beers by lap 10. Beers then began the same fight with his teammate Ely within the next two laps, finally advancing to second with 15 circuits complete. While Hossfeld still showed the way Beers was making headway and just as he did with Blewett and Ely, he quickly caught the leader and made it yet another exciting double wide battle. His efforts were compensated with 16 laps complete as he executed a clean outside pass on Hossfeld. Once in front Beers began to slowly distance himself from the pack but the move would in due course be his demise. As the race went non-stop from laps 21 to 61 it took a toll on his tires. “I told my dad (crew chief Eric Beers) before the race that I wanted to get out front early because I felt my car was better out there. So when I led those laps I was also trying to save as much as I could but by be then the right front (tire) was going away,” said Beers, who like Hirschman, also did the nearly 800 mile trek between Lake Erie and Evergreen Speedways. “The right front was going away from racing hard on the top and that’s what eventually backed us up.” When the action halted for a spin by Ron Silk, Beers now had Hirschman flanked alongside him for the restart. The first try at going back to green was negated as officials called out Hirschman for jumping the start. The second try, however, was textbook for the standout star as he used the outside lane to make his race winning move, completing the pass off Turn 2. As the laps began to tick down Zeiner, driving in just his second race for car owner Billy Ray Pruitt, had powered his way up to second but from there could not mount a challenge on Hirschman, even with a last chance restart two laps from the finish. “Matt (Hirschman) can fire off on the restarts a little bit better than us but I’m not sure if he was playing with us there when we went on the long green stretch. It seemed like towards the end I could keep digging but passing him was going to be a different story,” expressed Zeiner. “We had our car set-up for a long run and it was good but we’re still missing a little bit to beat that 60 car.” Beers held on for third. Blewett made his first Evergreen start a hard earned fourth while Ely was very solid all race long and took a respectable fifth. During the 40-lap green flag stint Hirschman had been picking his way towards the front. He had already been in the top five by lap 19. With 42 laps complete has was zeroed in on runner-up Ely and the next time by would go low in Turn 2 in gaining the runner-up spot. Afterwards he was using each passing lap to reel in Beers. “I was only inching in on him (Beers) on that long run. So the restart helped me for sure but there was still laps to go,” explained Hirschman. “It was fun that way to have green flag racing like that and a good long run and to make passes without having to worry about the next restart. It was good clean racing with Austin and Zane and with Jimmy Blewett and Jack Ely before that.”
Modified Feature Finish (75-laps): 1. Matt Hirschman, 2. Zane Zeiner, 3. Austin Beers, 4. Jimmy Blewett, 5. Jack Ely, 6. Earl Paules, 7. Roger Coss, 8. Ton Silk, 9. Chris Turbush, 10. Johnathan Mandato, 11. Ricky Ross, Jr., 12. Anthony Sesely, 13. Chuck Hossfeld, 14. Brandon Oltra, 15. Dom Fattaruso, 16. Bobby Jones, 17. Joey Merlino, 18. Brian DeFebo, 19. Austin Kochenash, 20. Lou Strohl DNQ: Brian Sones, Blake Barney, Jim Gavek, Ricky Collins
MATT HIRSCHMAN CONTINUES HIS DOMINANCE OF LAKE ERIE SPEEDWAY ON JUNE 27 WITH “BASH BY THE LAKE” WIN
(JUNE 27). Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pennsylvania, continued his dominance at Lake Erie Speedway this past Saturday night as he scored the opening night Series victory in the “Bash by the Lake” 75 for the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series. Hirschman has won the last six races at the North East, Pa., speed plant, dating back to the surprise victory by Will Thomas of Sharpsville, Pa., in 2016. It was Hirschman’s 48th career Race of Champions series victory. “It was a big night for us,” stated Hirschman. “Things have obviously been different this year and we are happy to come out and do our things. I love Lake Erie, it has been a great race track for me. I’m very thankful the show worked out. The weather didn’t look so good this week. We had a great car, a good draw and things just went our way. I hope the next race comes sooner rather than later, but whenever it is, we will be ready.” Hirschman topped Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, N.Y., finished second after a late race charge at Hirschman. Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, N.Y., the defending series champion finished third. Mike Leaty of Williamson, N.Y., finished fourth with Timmy Catalano of Ontario, N.Y., rounding out the top-five.
1 3 Matt Hirschman Northampton, PA 60
2 11 Andy Jankowiak Tonawanda, NY 12X
3 5 Patrick Emerling Orchard Park, NY 07
4 7 Mike Leaty Williamson, NY 25
5 2 Timmy Catalano Ontario, NY 45C
6 15 Danny Knoll Jr Amherst, NY 17K
7 10 Kyle Ebersole Mooresville, NC 5
8 6 Bryan Sherwood APALACHIN, NY 95
9 4 Austin Beers Northampton, PA 45B
10 12 Jeremy Haudricourt Bliss, NY 39
11 9 Jack Ely Wall Township, NJ 54E
12 8 Daren Scherer Binghamton, NY 3
13 14 Amy Catalano Ontario, NY 56
14 19 Chris Risdale Rochester, NY 1
15 16 Bill Mislin Buffalo, NY 99
16 20 Scott Wylie Blasdell , NY 14
17 13 Owen Bednasz Lakeview, NY 4
18 18 Daryl Lewis Jr. Ontario, NY 10
19 1 Tommy Catalano Ontario, NY 54C
20 17 Kirk Totten Lockport, NY 11
21 21 Kyle Hutchinson East Aurora, NY 57X
22 22 Chris Finocchario Macedon, NY 8
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour made its long awaited return to the Jennerstown Speedway Complex on June 20th for the first time since 2006, on Sunday and Matt had a solid top 5
(JUNE 20). New York driver Justin Bonsignore was victorious, in his first start at the Western PA oval. The “Morocco Welding Wade Cole Memorial 133 presented by Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair” marked the 15th event the series held at the Laurel Highlands asphalt oval track. The event was initially delayed three months due to COVID-19 pandemic. Spectators were not permitted in the grandstands for the event to stay in accordance with NASCAR’s current social distancing policy. The event was available for online live stream viewing, free of charge, and with a full TV production crew on hand. The Jennerstown victory marked a 27th career triumph for Justin Bonsignore in the NASCAR Modified Tour, and gives him the point standings lead as the winner of the first round of the year. The top five finishers, officially were: Bonsignore, Lutz, McKennedy, Pennsylvanian Matt Hirschman (a former winner at Jennerstown), and former tour Rookie of the Year Calvin Carroll.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is set to return to Jennerstown on August 22nd, 2020. The event will be open to fans for grandstand attendance.
1 Justin Bonsignore
2 Craig Lutz
3 Jon McKennedy
4 Matt Hirschman
5 Calvin Carroll
6 Ron Silk
7 Doug Coby
8 Kyle Bonsignore
9 Matt Swanson
10 Rob Summers
11 Sam Rameau
12 Chris Pasteryak
13 Dave Sapienza
14 Eric Goodale
15 Timmy Solomito
16 Woody Pitkat
17 Jeff Gallup *
18 Tyler Rypkema
19 Patrick Emerling
20 J.R. Bertuccio
21 Jeremy Gerstner
22 Ed McCarthy *
23 J.B. Fortin
24 John Beatty, Jr.
25 Roger Turbush *
26 Chase Dowling
27 Melissa Fifield
28 Ronnie Williams
29 Amy Catalano *
30 Tommy Catalano
31 Walter Sutcliffe, Jr.
32 Timmy Catalano
33 Andrew Krause
From No Time To “Showtime”…Jimmy Blewett wins in first start at Mahoning Valley Speedway on June 13
(JUNE 13) “Showtime” Jimmy Blewett made his first ever visit to Mahoning Valley worthwhile, scoring a rousing a $2950 victory in the John “Peepers” Yerger Tribute before a full house of fans. Blewett was both good and lucking en-route to the verdict. Despite that fact that he never turned a lap on the tough ¼-mile bullring, he raced strong inside the top five from the drop of the green. Then while running third he caught a huge break when front runners Eric Beers and Matt Hirschman tangled and sent to the rear of the field. From there on Blewett withstood the advances of track regular Josh Scherer on his way to scoring the popular win. The raced ended nine laps shy of the advertised 77 lap distance due to an ongoing rash of cautions. Blake Barney did a great job in garnering a career best Mahoning finish of third. Austin Kochenash drove to a solid fourth while upstate New York invader Chuck Hossfeld battled his way to fifth. By luck of the draw Beers and Todd Baer shared front row honor. This was the first time since August of 2017 that Beers was back in action here and he wasted little time in showing his prowess for getting around the tight confines of Mahoning Valley. Eighth place starter Hirschman thrust forward in a hurry and was on Beers’ tail giving him quite a bit of pressure. Time and again he tried to grab the lead but each time his efforts where thwarted as Beers maintained a good line of defensiveness to hold back Hirschman’s advances. Hirschman also had numerous occasions to utilize restarts to overtake Beers as an abundance of cautions plagued the race. All that while defending track champion Bobby Jones was hovering closely in third with Blewett fourth. Interruptions would abound as the race wore on and take its toll on many including Jones who on lap 37 went spinning off turn four. With that Blewett was now third but ahead of him the Beers/Hirschman battle was still waging and all he could do was ride and watch. Then on lap 60 the race broke wide open when the front pair got together in turn three. Hirschman was looking to seize an opening on Beers but as they drove into the corner the door got closed and there was contact. Beers went sliding and made a great save of hitting the inside wall off turn four. For his part Hirschman was directed to the rear with Beers for the restart. For Blewett it was the right place at the right time as he inherited the lead with Scherer now second. Unfortunately yellow fever would persist on and in the sake of longevity and a warning to drivers, the race was called with eight laps to go. “This is like the complete opposite of what happens at my home track. I don’t think Matt (Hirschman) meant to take Eric (Beers) out. It was just hard racing there at the end and I’d rather be lucky,” said Blewett. “My guys gave me a great car and I can’t thank Eric Beers enough for all the help he gave me going into this race. My crew chief Rob Ornsbee, my engine builder Tom Martino but most of all my car owner Scott Brannick. Between him and my grandfather the last four years they’ve really been there when I needed things.” Known for his winning ways, Blewett notwithstanding entered the race optimistic never having turned a lap here. He practiced well, ran second in his heat then stayed steady in the race before coming into the lead. He then held off Scherer perfectly who kept the pressure on him to the checkers. “The first thing coming here was to just make the show. There are really good regulars here and I did a lot of watching of videos and in-car cameras. I knew it was going to be stiff competition just to qualify,” said Blewett. “I felt that if I can come out to this with a top five it will be great. I don’t go anywhere where that I don’t show up and don’t think I can win. This feels good and I look forward to coming back.”
Modified Feature Finish (77-laps): 1. Jimmy Blewett, 2. Josh Scherer, 3. Blake Barney, 4. Austin Kochenash, 5. Chuck Hossfeld, 6. Eric Beers, 7. John Markovic, 8. Rod Snyder Jr., 9. Tyler Truex, 10. Bobby Jones, 11. Matt Hirschman, 12. Todd Baer, 13. Eddie McCarthy, 14. Patrick Emerling, 15. Kyle Strohl, 16. Earl Paules, 17. Nick Baer, 18. Brian DeFebo, 19. Don Wagner, 20. Ron Silk, 21. Terry Markovic, 22. Jason Arthofer, 23. Austin Beers, 24. Jack Ely DNQ: Roger Coss, Lou Strohl, Heath Metzger, Gene Bowers, Sen Verwys, Jacob Kerstetter, Jim Gaver, Mike Stofflet, BJ Wambold
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Double Up: Matt Hirschman Gets Richie Evans Memorial Win, Tour Type Mod World Series Title
by Shawn Courchesne
It’s been a week of dramatic show after dramatic shows in Tour Type Modified action at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway. Friday night in the closing event of the World Series it was Matt Hirschman putting a sleeper hold on all the drama.
Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa., chased a win all week and finally got it in the Richie Evans Memorial 100 Friday at New Smyrna Speedway.
The dominating victory for the Northampton, Pa. driver clinched the 2020 Tour Type Modified division World Series championship. It was the second consecutive year that Hirschman has won the Richie Evans Memorial 100.
“I wish they called them all Richie Evans races because I think it brings out the best in me,” Hirschman said. “… Winning any race in honor of Richie Evans is extra special. I want to make sure I’m here tonight for this. This is the one you want to win. … You come down here, I would have liked to have gotten a few more, or one more, but getting this one is the one. And the cherry on top is the championship.”
Tyler Rypkema of Owego, N.Y. was second and Craig Lutz of Miller Place, N.Y. third.
Hirschman had three consecutive second place finishes to start the week and then finished third in Thursday’s 35-lap event.
On Monday Anthony Nocella held off Hirschman in a side-by-side battle to the checkered flag to get his first career New Smyrna victory in the 50-lap opener for the division. On Tuesday it was Craig Lutz scoring his first World Series win in a 35-lapper. Wednesday saw the drama of Monday’s finish ramped up with Nocella and Hirschman finishing in a virtual dead heat at the checkered. Track officials deemed Nocella the victory of the John Blewett III Memorial 76. Patrick Emerling scored the victory in Thursday’s 35-lap feature.
Hirschman came into Friday’s finale with six-point lead over Nocella in the standings. Nocella had mechanical issues in Friday’s feature and ended up retiring from the event with about 10 laps remaining. Nocella ended up scored 16th in the 20-car field Friday.
“A little mini-series championship up North it would be like good, but it’s just a little series,” Hirschman said. “But when you come down here and come to this race track six days in a row and five straight nights with this group of guys here and all your hard work and sweat and sometimes lack of sleep. But I kept it clean for them this year so we were able to come in every day positive and just drive for a win that night. We had all good finishes.”
Hirschman started on the pole Friday and led until the bulk of the field pitted under caution on lap 54. Jimmy Blewett stayed out and inherited the lead, but it took Hirschman only until lap 61 to regain the lead. From there Hirschman went unchallenged the rest of the way.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13: Patrick Emerling Takes Tour Type Mod Win At New Smyrna World Series
It was a night where going on the offense early and playing defense late proved to be the perfect recipe for Patrick Emerling.
The Orchard Park, N.Y driver held off Jimmy Blewett and Matt Hirschman on a late restart to win the 35-lap Tour Type Modified division feature at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway Thursday.
It was the first victory of the week for Emerling.
“We’ve kind of struggled in the last couple weeks here,” Emerling said. “We finally got it where it needed to be tonight and that was the best car we’ve had so far.”
Blewett, of Howell, N.J., was second and Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa. third.
Blewett led from the start before Emerling went to the top spot on lap seven.
The race played out caution from a lap five restart until the yellow returned on lap 33 to set up the late battle.
“I was hoping for no cautions there,” Emerling said. “That caution definitely made things interesting there.”
Emerling was able to fend off Blewett and Hirschman following the lap 33 restart and allowed them to fight over the runner-up spot.
“We had a fast car tonight,” Blewett said. “He just got by me early. He had a lot of speed. I wanted to save just a little bit if I could for the end there, which I did. I was going to cross him over coming off of [turn] two and I think [Hirschman] knew that so he tried to cross me over as well. I wasn’t going to put [Emerling] three-wide. We did the best we could. We’ve got a big race all of us tomorrow night. I know [Hirschman] is running for points and every spot counts for him, but he ran me like a gentleman and so did Patrick. It’s on to tomorrow night.”
It was the first race of the week that Hirschman didn’t finish second.
“I just got tired of finishing second so we were going to finish somewhere else,” Hirschman joked. “… I should have probably finished second. I think I could have went in and slid up and instead I thought maybe about a run on the bottom of [turn] four on Emerling, but probably cost myself second. Then once Jimmy got back ahead of me that last corner I was going to let them settle in and see what happened there. We’ll move on to tomorrow night.”
After four events this week, Hirschman will take the series points lead into the finale Friday, the Richie Evans Memorial 100.
On Monday Anthony Nocella held off Hirschman in a side-by-side battle to the checkered flag to get his first career New Smyrna victory in the 50-lap opener for the division. On Tuesday it was Craig Lutz scoring his first World Series win in a 35-lapper. Wednesday saw the drama of Monday’s finish ramped up exponentially with Nocella and Hirschman finishing in a virtual dead heat at the checkered. Track officials deemed Nocella the victory of the John Blewett III Memorial 76.
Nocella, who was third Tuesday and came into Thursday as the points leader, finished seventh. Hirschman takes a six point lead over Nocella into the week’s finale. Lutz is a distant third in the standings, 28 points behind Hirschman.
“The way the week started I would have thought we’d probably have got a win or two by now,” Hirschman said. “But we’re finishing every night.”
WEDNESDAY, FEB 12: Anthony Nocella Tops Matt Hirschman In John Blewett III Memorial 76 Thriller At New Smryna
They proved to have two of the best Tour Type Modifieds at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway over the first two events of the 2020 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.
They put on a side-by-side battle to the checkered on the first night of action.
And on Wednesday night at New Smyrna Anthony Nocella and Matt Hirschman used those Modifieds to put on a show that won’t soon be forgotten.
A five-lap battle for the lead over the closing laps ended in a virtual dead heat at the checkered flag at the conclusion of the 76-lap John Blewett III Memorial feature Wednesday at New Smryna.
Following an extended delay at the conclusion of the event, Anthony Nocella was declared the winner.
“It’s pretty awesome, especially to beat Matt,” Nocella said. “Everywhere we go, anytime we show up and he’s there, he’s a car to [contend to] win and we know we’re going to have to beat him for the win, especially here, especially in these long distance races. He’s probably the best out there in saving tires in these races.”
“I felt coming to the line, I felt I had him by six inches to a foot,” Hirschman said. “I just looked at a photo that shows that. So, but you know, I can plead my case but at this point it doesn’t look like it’s going to matter. I felt I beat him, but don’t take anything away from that finish. That is a lesson right there for all you young racers out there. Not just Modified racers, but all racers. That’s how you race.”
It was the second victory in three Tour Type Modified events this week at New Smryna for Nocella, of Woburn, Mass., who won the 50-lap opener on Monday in another side-by-side battle the checkered with Hirschman.
It was the third consecutive second place finish of the week at New Smyrna for Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa. Hirschman was second to Craig Lutz in Tuesday’s 35-lap feature.
Jimmy Blewett of Howell, N.J. was third.
The NBC Track Pass image of the finish between Anthony Nocella and Matt Hirschman at New Smyrna
Blewett went by Eric Goodale for the lead on lap 20.
Nocella got by Hirschman for second place on lap 63 restart and quickly closed on Blewett at the front.
With nice laps remaining Nocella went by Blewett for the lead with Hirschman moving past Blewett for second a lap later.
The duel was on at that point between Nocella and Hirschman. Hirschman led at the line on lap 73, but Nocella was scored back to the front on the next lap. On lap 76 Hirschman got the run off of turn two to close down Nocella’s lead coming to the white flag. The pair reached the checkered side-by-side. Officials studied video and photographic evidence to declare Nocella the winner.
“It’s kind of tough there,” Nocellsa said. “We swapped the lead those last five laps, six laps or so side-by-side. It was kind of whoever got the best run out of [turn] four there. I definitely could hit him up going in there, I’m on the bottom, I could use him up and get him up some and easily probably win it – kind of like we sort of lost the race [Tuesday] night. I grew up in Midgets and stuff like that and you can’t bang. Matt runs me clean for the most part all the time. … He ran me clean the whole rest of the race before that. … I figured I’d give him my best shot there on the bottom. I found a little something down there where my car was working. We were able to get just enough grip up off the bottom there and just beat him to the line.”
Said Hirschman: “I’m not really disappointed. That was a great race. New Smyrna Speedway, I’ve seen some of the best Modified races I’ve ever watched here and now I’ve been a part of a few of them in the same week. Just incredible really. Great race.”
TUESDAY, February 11: Craig Lutz Wins Tour Type Mod Feature On World Series Night Two At New Smyrna
After two nights of Tour Type Modified division racing at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway the theme has been first-time winners.
On Monday it was Anthony Nocella grabbing his first career New Smyrna World Series victory in the 50-lap opener for the division.
Tuesday Nocella looked to be rolling on rails to a second consecutive victory, until Craig Lutz got physical and grabbed victory away late.
Lutz got aggressive on a lap-25 restart to grab the lead from Nocello and went on to win in the 35-lap Tour Type Modified division feature Tuesday at New Smyrna Speedway.
It was the first career New Smyrna World Series victory for Lutz, of Miller Place, N.Y.
“This is huge,” Lutz said. “To come down to Florida you’re against the best of the best. I’m just so thankful for this opportunity. … It wasn’t pretty but we got the job done.”
Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. picked up his second consecutive second place finish. Nocella, of Woburn, Mass., was third.
Nocella started on the pole and had checked out from the field twice. Nocella chose to use the outside lane for the lap 25 restart, but it was Lutz who pushed up him the track through turns one and two to grab the lead.
“You’re stuck on the bottom, you don’t have much you can do except try to beat the guy into turn one,” Lutz said. “It’s short track racing. We’ve got nerf bars and we rub. We both ended up down here on the podium.”
Said Nocella: “I still think the outside is the preferred groove and the place to fire off here, if you didn’t get out way up in the marbles. That’s racing. We were a little free off on the bottom. I knew my best shot was really to get it in deep and get around him on the outside as I did the time before. He did what he had to do to win. I would have ran him a little cleaner than that. Maybe run him up, but not in the fourth groove. He did what he had to do to win and we’ll go from there.”
Hirschman was able to get by Nocella for second on the decisive restart and then stalked Lutz over the final five laps, but for the second night in a row, couldn’t find a way to the lead.
“We’re right there,” Hirschman said. “I like wins, but we’ll just take a second. We’re in one piece.”
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10: Opening Drama: Anthony Nocella Holds Off Matt Hirschman In Tour Type Mod Thriller At New Smyrna
It’s been a few months since the big dogs of Tour Type Modified racing have had the chance to let it all hang out.
But Monday night at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway, it was Anthony Nocella and Matt Hirschman proving they were quick to thaw from the Northeast winter chill upon arrival in Florida.
Nocella held off a charging Hirschman at the checkered to win the 50-lap Tour Type Modified division feature Monday at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway.
“I knew we had a pretty good car, but I know he’s always fast here and I knew he’d be there at the end,” Nocella said. “He’s probably one of the best at saving his tires until the end and making a run. … I just figured if I could keep him behind me I’d have a shot there at the end.”
It was the first career victory at the New Smyrna World Series for the Woburn, Mass. driver.
It was the first of five consecutive nights of Tour Type Modified features this week at New Smyrna.
Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa., was second by inches in the side-by-side run to the checkered. Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, N.Y. was third.
Nocella went by Craig Lutz for the lead on lap 13 and easily held the field at bay for most of the event.
But on lap 43 Hirschman got by Emerling for second and set sail for Nocella.
Hirschman spent the last four laps stalking Nocella’s bumper before going to the outside in turns three and four on the final lap. Hirschman wrangled in a sliding car off of turn four to get to Nocella’s side for the drag race to the checkered.
“I just ran out of time,” Hirschman said. “But no excuses. … Exciting finish and it’s Monday night. I’m happy with where we’re at. I’d like to win, but I’d like to win every race. That’s just not going to happen. We’ve got four ahead of us coming up. It was a good show. These Modifieds put on a better show than any fendered class any day of the week.”
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece of Berlin was fourth and Craig Lutz of Miller Place, N.Y. fifth.
The Tour Type Modifieds will run a 35-lap feature on Tuesday night.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8:Matt Hirschman Seals The Deal at Bronson Speedway
Tour Type Modifieds came to Bronson Speedway to start the 2020 racing season following winter break.
Making the trip to the warm and sunny Florida weather, six teams came to support Ann Young and her Bronson Speedway. Fans paid $8 to $12 and saw a 50 lap modified shootout. There were only six Modifieds on the track, but there was enough action that fans were on their feet.
Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. had luck on his side as he pulled the No. 1 spot in the draw to start on the pole. Jimmy Blewett pulled No.2 for the outside pole.
Hirschman led all 50 laps to take home his second career win at Bronson Speedway.
“Starting on the pole made it easier than it would have been with more cars,” Hirschman said. “We had a good car and we will take it. It is a good start to the week. We had an issue in practice and it is good that we got it out of the way. Now we will go on to New Smyrna for the week.”
Blewett from Howell, N.J., finished where he start the race. In second.
For a portion of the race, he was moved back to third after Jeremy Gerstner of Wesley Chapel, Fla. passed him for position. But before race end, Blewett regrouped and gained his spot back.
“It would have been more fun if Matt and I started at the back and had to race our way up through the pack,” Blewett said. “Maybe next year we can put some kind of money up, get some people together and come down and have some fun. And do something like that – starting from the rear.”
Said Gerstner, who started last: “The car was really good. We just did not need to start so deep. We used a lot coming up through the field. Track position means a lot here. We hurt the right rear a little rolling off the corner trying to get around the field. But the car has great speed and it is going to be really good at New Smyrna. I am looking forward to next week.”
On lap 16, Brian Robie’s car started spewing fluid coming out of turn two. Robie’s car was towed in and the first restart of the night was staged. Gerstner was able to gain enough momentum to pass Blewett for second on lap 18 and start a pursuit of the leader.
“I got around Jimmy on that restart and ran a pace where I kept appearing to catch Matt,” Gerstner said.
With ten laps to remaining Blewett made his move to retake second.
Blewett tapped Gerstner’s rear bumper to indicate that he was coming get out of the way.
“That is Jimmy,” Gerstner said. “He is kind of like TC, he wants to let you know he is back there. I am going to be honest that he hit me a little harder than he needed to, almost enough to rip the bumper off of it. I will keep that in my memory bank and move on to race better. It was a good hard race and yes this is short track racing and you are going to have contact like that.”
Drivers will now make the ride southeast to New Smyrna Speedway for five nights of modified racing. Join us back for live updates all week as we take you through the action both on and off the track.
Notes from Bronson Speedway
We asked the top three finishers their thoughts on only six Modfied teams coming to Bronson Speedway?
Matt Hirschman
“The obvious thing is the lack of cars. Six cars that is a heat race. You double that on a track this size and you have a field where you could have a good show. We had as many as fourteen mods here and an emphasis needs to be done on how we can swing it back into that direction. … Everyone can give their opinions and then listen. Maybe we can work together and get the car count back up. It is a fun little track to run on. You do not need twenty cars here to make it look like a field but you need more than six. So we would like to have more cars.”
Jimmy Blewett
“It is a fun little race track. It is a good little race track. It is a shame that we cannot get the car count here. Ann [Young] runs this place in the memory of her husband. This was something that he bought and he had a vision and a dream to build it. As long as I am racing and I have the opportunity I will come down and give my support to her and her family, we are going to do it. It is just tough to get people out here. It is a good place and it puts on a good show. … My guess is that it is still early in the week and people do not want to come down and wreck their stuff. Maybe next week they can have it the Saturday after and we can get more cars.”
Jeremy Gerstner
“Maybe we all need to take a step back and look at the day that this race is scheduled. I was thinking if we moved the Bronson Speedway to the Saturday after Speedweeks at New Smyrna we would have a larger car count catching modified teams on their way home. Either way we may have to rethink the date to get teams here.”