Matt Hirschman to Sub for Santos at Riverhead
Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA will make his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour start of the season Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway. Hirschman was recommended to the team by their usual driver Bobby Santos, III for the Hoosier Tire 200. Hirschman has run the Tour full-time four seasons. Both of his NWMT victories came in 2008 (Chemung and Spencer) en route to a runner-up finish to Ted Christopher.
Former NWMT champion Bobby Santos, III cannot make the race due to a USAC commitment at Pikes Peak. Santos currently ranks fifth in the standings, eight points from second place Rowan Pennink. The team has won three of their last six starts dating back to last year’s Fall Final at Stafford.
Hirschman hopes to have a good run for the team at Riverhead to maintain their position in the owner’s point standings. Hirschman only has four career starts at the Long Island bullring with a best finish of seventh. “It’s a tough place,” Hirschman said. “I’ve never had a really good starting position. … I’ve never had a good day start to finish there.” Hirschman recalled engine problems that relegated him to using a provisional to make the field.
A five-time Race of Champions Modified Tour champion, Hirschman has already picked up three ROCMT wins and open-competition wins at Seekonk and Star this season. Hirschman’s schedule going forward will continue with the Race of Champions Modified Tour and open-competition races.
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com