Hirschman to Return to The Tour with BRE
Last Competed Full-Time In 2008
Daytona Beach, FL — Recently announced by Boehler Racing Enterprises (BRE), Matt Hirschman will take over behind the wheel of the famed No. 3 ‘Ole Blue’ on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for the 2011 season.
Hirschman, who last competed full-time in 2008, will succeed Ryan Preece as driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet Modified, which is one of the longest tenured teams in all of NASCAR racing. Hirschman’s father, Tony, drove ‘Ole Blue’ to Whelen Modified Tour championships in 1995 and 1996.
“I’m looking forward to returning to the Whelen Modified Tour and joining BRE Racing to continue the successful relationship that started in 1995 when my father teamed up with them to win back-to-back NASCAR championships,” said Hirschman through a BRE statement. “We already know each other well and I think this is all around a great fit.”
The BRE No. 3 captured NASCAR Modified national titles three years in a row from 1967-69, and in addition to the two titles that Tony Hirschman delivered, the team also earned the Whelen Modified Tour crown in 1994 with driver Wayne Anderson.
“It will be an honor to drive for a team that is steeped in Modified racing history and one of the few full-time rides remaining on the Tour,” Hirschman said. “I can’t wait to start working with the team to get ready for the 2011 season driving the famous ‘Ole Blue’ No. 3.”
The younger Hirschman recorded a pair of wins, three poles and 29 top 10s in 57 Whelen Modified Tour starts between 2005-09, with a best season points finish of second in 2008.
Preece, who Hirschman will replace, has three wins, three poles and 29 top 10s in 57 career starts with a best points finish of second in 2009. Except for the three top 10s he record while running his family’s car as a rookie in 2007, all of his other accomplishments came in the BRE No. 3 from 2008-10.
Despite the seat shuffle in the No. 3, Preece does not intend to be left out in the cold. Although he is not quite ready to make an official announcement, he is planning to continue his career on the Whelen Modified Tour in 2011.
“Right now, our plan is to run Chassis Dynamics next year with Bob Cuneo and Mike Paquette,” Preece said. “The plan right now is Ford motors and Chassis [Dynamics]. It’s looking pretty good right now, and I’m pretty excited.”
The 16-race 2011 Whelen Modified Tour season will begin with the Icebreaker at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway on April 10.
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR