Race Preview: Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series Set For 11th Annual SBM Classic at Star Speedway
EPPING, N.H. – With three races down and four to go before a Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series champion is crowned, teams are heading north to New Hampshire this Saturday, July 23. Ready to roll into Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire, Monaco Modified teams will compete in the 11th annual SBM Classic 125-lap race, worth $7,500 to win, with a total purse of over $40,000 throughout the field.
Leading into the race, all eyes are on Matt Hirschman. Not only does the Pennsylvania native have six Tri-Track titles, he has six career SBM wins in the 10 previous races. Hirschman, Jon McKennedy, Ron Silk, and Todd Patnode are the only drivers to previously visit Victory Lane in the SBM race, and chances are there could be another new winner this time around. Hirschman and Patnode are the only two that will be competing in the race out of the previous winners.
Hirschman has two victories in three Tri-Track races so far this season and has a comfortable championship lead over Chase Dowling heading into race four. Dowling won at Thunder Road Speedbowl on Memorial Day weekend, and has been doing his best to keep Hirschman close. Dowling and the Tri-Track Series are often the perfect fit – as the Connecticut native is second to only Hirschman in the all-time wins list, with six of his own.
On top of both of those competitors, over 25 others of the best in New England will join them at Star this weekend. Names like Ronnie Williams, Matt Kimball, and Brian Robie will look to continue their impressive starts to the 2022 Tri-Track season – all currently sitting inside the top-five in the championship standings.
Matt Swanson, a former Star Speedway champion in his youth days, already had some test laps last week and knows Star like the back of his hand. Sam Rameau is heading there fresh off a victory in the Whitcomb 5 Series event at Lee USA Speedway last Friday, and the Westminster, Massachusetts, native has no problem mixing it up with the best.
Other names to watch include Woody Pitkat, who is set for another start with Doug Dunleavy, Stafford Motor Speedway standout Teddy Hodgdon, who will wheel his own No. 55, and rising star Jake Johnson. Fresh off a runner-up spot last time out with the Monaco Modifieds, Kyle Bonsignore will also look to take the No. 07 to the front for car owner Justin Albernaz.
Names like Les Hinckley, Matt Galko, Austin Beers, Joey Jarvis, Dana DiMatteo, and Richard Savary are also expected. Fans can also look for recent New Hampshire Motor Speedway NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour winner Anthony Nocella to compete in his family No. 92 in the Star event.
A full entry list for the race is posted online at MonacoModifieds.com, along with a Race Central page, where fans can check on race day for live content from the track including heat lineups and results, feature lineup, and results, and more.
Saturday’s race day schedule at Star Speedway includes Monaco Modified practice from 1:30-2:30 p.m., followed by a scuff session at 3:15 p.m. The green flag for the heat racing action is set for 4 p.m., starting with Star’s local divisions and followed by the Modifieds. The green flag for the 11th annual SBM 125 should fly somewhere around 8 p.m. Tickets will be available at the track for $30 for adults, $25 for seniors/juniors (11-16). All kids 5 and under will enter free. For those who can’t make it to the track, RacingAmerica.TV will live stream the event.
Race day will also include Star’s prestigious 350 Supermodifieds, a special 25-lap, $1,200 to win race for the Slingshots, the Pure Stocks, and Six Shooters.
For more information on Star Speedway, visit StarSpeedwayNH.com. For more information on the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, visit MonacoModifieds.com and follow the series on social media for the latest updates.
Sources: Kyle Souza, Souza Media
Tom Morris Racing Photography