6/13/06

MATT HIRSCHMAN LOOKS FORWARD TO WCIS ROC RACE

 
Perry, NY……… The biggest race of the year for Wyoming County International Speedway is the Race of Champions race. In 2005, twenty-nine top Modified teams came to compete in this 75 lap race. Eric Beers started on the pole and took the early lead. Beers would relinquish the top spot to Tom McGrath on a restart. McGrath held the point until late in the race. With about 20 laps to go, several drivers were making their presence known. These drivers included Matt Hirschman and his #52 racer. Pete Brittain would bring out a caution with six laps to go. The ensuing restart found Tony Hanbury on the outside of McGrath. There was some contact in turn 3 that brought out the caution. Tom McGrath had to survive one last restart to win. Lee Sherwood, Rusty Smith, and Matt Hirschman were following McGrath to the green. Sherwood tried to get underneath but McGrath shut the door. The final lap found Matt Hirschman going on the outside of McGrath. Hirschman took the lead coming out of turn two and took the checkered flag. This was Matt’s second R.o.C. tour win and undoubtedly the most exciting race of the WCIS season. This race was on Father’s Day and his dad, Tony (5 time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion) was there to witness his son’s victory. Matt remembers, “We were not sure if we would pit during the race. The race strategy isn’t apparent until a certain point in the race. I had worked my way up to the fifth position. A spin in front caused me to check up. This took me out of the top ten. During the caution, I decided to pit.” This set Matt further back in the field. The gamble to pit made the race more challenging for this second generation driver. Matt continued, “I immediately was able to advance my position. There were several more cautions which placed me fifth with only three laps to go.” So there would be one final restart as McGrath led with Sherwood, Smith, Markovic and Hirschman running behind him. The green flag waved and Sherwood tried to get underneath McGrath without success. Matt continues, “The last restart, I immediately went to the outside. I passed John Markovic, Rusty Smith, and Lee Sherwood. The seventy-fourth lap, I caught Tom McGrath on the backstretch. Going into the third turn, I went to the outside of him. I got a run coming out of the fourth turn. We were side by side going underneath the starters stand. I drove hard into turn one and coming out of the second turn took the lead. This was a very exciting win.” Matt drove the #52 Modified to the finish line to pick up his second R.o.C. win. The race was no doubt the most exciting of the 2005 WCIS season. Matt said, “I feel confident that anywhere we race, I can win. This was an exciting race and I look forward to returning to WCIS this year.” Matt is racing the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Jennerstown the day before this year's WCIS race. Hopefully, he will be back to for this year’s race. Matt said, “I really love racing at Wyoming County Speedway. We will make every effort to be there on June 18th. I’m not sure if I can top last year’s effort, but we are looking forward to the race.”

Matt went on to capture the overall R.o.C. Championship. He also won the R.o.C. North Championship and finished third in the Central division. His car owner, Scott Edelman, retired after the season with his first championship. Matt purchased the car and continues to race it on the R.o.C. tour. He recently finished second at the Oswego R.o.C. race in the renumbered #60. Matt does much of the work himself on the car. Frank Gasper helps at the shop and at the races. John Delvito and Matt’s family also provide assistance. Their combined efforts helped Matt secure the championships.

In 2006, Matt is going to race select R.o.C. races. His primary focus is the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He will no doubt be a contender for the Rookie of the Year award. Matt will drive for two different owners. Ed Bennett and Wayne Darling will provide him with a competitive car for the tour. He looks forward to competing against his dad. Matt has been driving and winning in a Modified since he was seventeen. This is what he has wanted to do his whole life. Whether he is driving his #60 R.o.C. Modified or his #59 Whelen Modified, one thing is for sure. He will be running at the head of the pack.

Wyoming County Intl Speedway - Sunday Racing 2:30 pm
35 Adrian Road/PO Box 203
Perry, NY 14530
(585) 237-2580 Office, (585) 237-2510 Track

Source: Dan Hall
Posted: June 14, 2006