Story By: RACE OF CHAMPIONS – NORTH EAST, PA – Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, has a “magic touch” when it comes to the VP Racing Fuels Race of Champions 250. For the 9th time he etched his name into the record books with a great performance in the 74th annual Race of Champions 250 this past Sunday.
Hirschman started 2nd and fended off several challengers to race his way to victory including a late race pitstop for a fresh left rear tire and his crew got him out first.
“At times the crew was better than the driver today and they were for sure when it mattered,” stated Hirschman from victory lane. “It really is incredible to win this race nine times. Today Jake Lutz, Andy Jankowiak, Luke Baldwin, Zane Zeiner, Austin Beers, really good modified racers, were right there and we had to race them all. My crew, my family, everyone that helps us get here just did an outstanding job. I’m really proud of this one and now we can race for ten. We’re going to enjoy this one and spend some quality time with the Al Gerber Trophy.”
Jake Lutz of Hamburg, NY, led the field to the green flag and seemed to have one of the fastest cars during the early stages of the event as he and Hirschman dueled for the top spot.
After the mandatory refueling break, just past halfway, business picked up at the front of the field as different teams forged their way to the front to take their shots at Hirschman, in the end Hirschman hung on and topped Luke Baldwin of Mooresville, NC, who was making his first Race of Champions 250 start. Austin Beers of Northampton, PA, the 2021 Series Champion, came home third.
Lutz finished fourth with current series championship point leader Zane Zeiner of Bath, PA, rounding out the top-five.
Lutz posted the fastest time during qualifying. Daryl Lewis, Jr., of Ontario, NY; Zeiner and Beers won the qualifying races.
Dustin Novoa of Springville, NY topped the Race of Champions Street Stock Series race. Jim Loffredo of Elma, NY, finished second with Marty Kling of East Aurora, NY finishing third.
Nik Welshans of West Seneca, NY, captured the Race of Champions Street Stock Series title over his brother Tim Welshans of South Wales, NY. Nik becomes the second different Series champion alongside his brother Tim, who claimed the first two Series crowns.
Nick Robinson of Waverly, NY, claimed the victory in the Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series race. Robinson held off Trisha Connolly of Palmerton, PA, and his teammate Gene Purvis of Elmira, NY to claim another Fred Rounds Cup.
In honor of a driver, who began his career in the Four Cylinder division at tracks throughout the region, Race of Champions officials announced on Sunday that going forward the Four Cylinder portion of Race of Champions weekend will become the “Lazy 8 Nationals” in honor of Ross Holmes and end with the Fred Rounds Cup as the closing portion of their weekend.
Andy Jankowiak of Buffalo, NY, continued to show his diverse driving skills as he scored the victory in the 29-lap Harry Macy Classic for the Mighty TQ Midgets on Sunday.
The next event for the Race of Champions “Family of Series” is Saturday, October 5th at the Wyoming County International Speedway “The Bullring” in Perry, NY for the “Fall Shootout” featuring two tightly contested championship races for the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series and the Race of Champions Super Stock Series. The Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash and Race of Champions Rocket Performance 602 Sportsman Modified Series will also wrap up their seasons. The Race of Champions Modified Series will return to action one final time in 2024 at Lancaster (NY) Motorplex for the rescheduled 35th annual Tribute to Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak on Saturday, October 13.