Matt Hirschman Scores in SBM 125 at Star Speedway
EPPING, NH — Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA took home over 9,500 when he won the SBM 125 for Tour-Type Modifieds at Star Speedway. An impressive and large field of 32 cars and drivers from 8 different states were in competition for the grand prize. Hirschman won his qualifying heat and started outside pole alongside Max Zachem of Preston, CT. The top 8 drivers had to redraw for their starting spots. This special event drew a large crowd that saw some excellent racing. Right from the start, the J&J Motorsports #59 bolted to the lead with a 10-car freight train in his rear view mirror. A lap 10 yellow closed the field up and on the restart, a flat tire on the 5ct of Chris Pasteryak brought out another quick yellow. Hirschman had no trouble gaining the advantage and the lead again, but behind him, Zachem was stuck on the outside and slowly lost positions to Jon McKennedy, Ryan Preece and Les Hinckley. This was Hinckley’s debut in the newly purchased 06 formerly owned by the late Chuck Montville.
When a lap 18 caution came out for a minor spin, Zachem found himself back in 5th spot. Again, it was clear sailing for Hirschman, but behind him, drivers swapped positions constantly. At lap 40, Tommy Barrett, sitting in mid pack, lit the fuse of his rocket and motored by Steve Masse into 9th, and then 5 laps later passed by Andy Seuss on the outside for 8th spot. Steve Masse followed suit, and then Barrett and Masse both powered by Ted Christopher putting themselves in 7th and 8th, respectively.
Now Barrett took the inside groove and shot by Zachem for 6th. Again, Masse followed. The inside looked good to Barrett and on the next lap raced by Doug Coby for 5th, and again the black #13 of Masse followed. As Barrett and Masse were running in lapped traffic, they closed in on Silk. On lap 66, Barrett passed Silk on the outside for 4th, and on lap 70 Barrett made his move inside McKennedy for 3rd. Masse wasn’t going to let Barrett get away so he did the same to Silk, then passed McKennedy. By lap 80, Barrett was hunting 2nd place Preece, and Masse was inches from the bumper of Barrett.
[Photo Gallery] by Crystal Snape
Finally, a lap 88 caution calmed the action and the entire field except Todd Patnode pitted for tires and adjustments. This made Patnode the new race leader while in the traffic jammed pit area Hirschman was the first to emerge, putting the 59 on the outside pole. Slow pit stops dropped Masse to 6th and Barrett back to 10th. A quick restart gave the lead back to Hirschman and many eyes were on Barrett who moved up 2 spots, but then the yellow flew again.
When racing resumed, Barrett wasted no time moving past Masse, Preece and Jacob Dore, into 6th spot. Barrett made a daring 3 wide pass on lap 94, putting him into 5th, and on each of the 2 ensuing restarts, he gained a position, putting him 3rd on the grid.
A lap 97 bump and run got Barrett past 2nd place McKennedy, but a lost cylinder never gave the #9 a chance to challenge race leader Hirschman, and Barrett was done by lap 107.
Hirschman held on through 3 more yellow flag periods as Preece and Richard Savary jousted for position. With laps winding down, Hinckley put a move on Masse for 3rd and on the last lap got by Preece for 2nd.
At the end, the first 5 over the line were Hirschman, Hinckley, Preece, Masse and Savary.
Heat winners were Matt Hirschman, Jon McKennedy, Les Hinckley and Ron Silk. Consi winner was Josh Cantara.
Track: Star Speedway, Epping, NH
Distance: 125
Time: 1:34:03
Margin of victory: 0.666
Best lap time: 12.780 #13 Masse
Fasted MPH: 70.423 #13 Masse
Lead Changes: 1
Leader: 1-100 #59 Hirschman
Caution Laps: 12
Order of Finish
1. #59 Matt Hirschman
2. #06 Les Hinckley
3. #40 Ryan Preece
4. #13 Steve Masse
5. #99 Richard Savary
6. #24 Todd Patnode
7. #70 Andy Seuss
8. #05 Jacob Dore
9. #26 Zane Zeiner
10. #66 Austin Kochenash
11. #21 Jon McKennedy
12. #51 Justin Bonsignore
13. #20 Doug Coby
14. #15 Rob Summers
15. #57 Jeff Rocco
16. #3 Ted Christopher
17. #92 Anthony Nocella
18. #5ct Chris Pasteryak
19. #9 Tom Barrett
20. #79 Max Zachem
21. #6 Ron Silk
22. #12 Todd Annarummo
23. #22 Mike Stefanik
24. #23 Michael Douglas, Jr.
25. #71 Josh Cantara
Sources: Jim Snape/YankeeRacer.com