Story By: RACE OF CHAMPIONS – EVANS MILLS, NY – The Race of Champions Modified Series returned to Evans Mills (NY) Raceway Park this past Saturday night and when the checkered flag fell Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa., stood in victory lane for 59th time in his career.
Hirschman redrew 10th and took the lead after battling Andy Jankowiak of Buffalo, NY, to go on and capture the victory.
“We had a good car all day,” stated Hirschman in victory lane. “We kept working on it all day and when we got jingled up with Zane in the feature I though there might be some challenges but we were able to keep going and we were good enough to get around Andy (Jankowiak). He had a good car as well. From my seat it was exciting, it was great to see all of the fans here and we hope they enjoyed and that the Series gets a chance to come back. We are going to enjoy this one.”
Jankowiak ended up finishing second with current championship point leader, Zane Zeiner of Bath, NY finishing third.
Bryan Sherwood of Apalachain, NY, who regularly participates at Evans Mills in the Sportsman division finished fourth while Southern Modified racer, Carson Loftin of Clemmons, NC rounded out the top-five in his first ever race with the Series.
Hirschman turned in the fastest time during green-white-checker qualifying and also won his qualifying race. Mike Leaty of Williamson, NY and Jack Ely of Northampton, Pa., won the other qualifying races.
Full results for the Summer Sizzler 80 presented by Pinnacle Investments, LLC at Evans Mills Raceway Park can be found here; www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/519822
Todd Delisle of Courtice, Ontario-Canada topped Eldon King, III of Delevan, NY and Scott Wylie of Blasdell, NY to claim the rain-shortened Race of Champions Late Model feature at Spencer Speedway in Williamson, NY this past Friday. The race was cut short by five laps of its scheduled 30-lap distance.
Joe Mancuso of Buffalo, NY topped the Race of Champions Super Stock event in his Mancuso Performance prepared Dodge Charger. It was the first win of the season for Mancuso. Garrett Zacharias of Candor, NY and Tommy Barron of Ontario, NY rounded out the top-three.
Jenna Dietz of Holland, NY won the held over from June 14 Race of Champions Rocket Performance 602 Sportsman Modified Series feature while Joey VanLane of Williamson, NY captured his first-ever feature in the division.
71-year old Dave Reiber of Ontario, NY won the Wilbert’s U-Pull It Four Cylinder race and Ashley Schoonmaker of Williamson, NY won the Wilbert’s U-Pull It Super Six division feature.
The Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series feature was postponed and will be held on “Features Only” Night on Friday, August 16 when the Race of Champions Super Stock and Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series run in “Twin” features that night.
The next race for the Race of Champions “Family of Series” is Saturday, July 20 at Chemung (NY) Speedrome for the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified; Race of Champions Super Stock and Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series in the Tribute to Ed McGuire event.