Race of Champions

Racing America
MATT HIRSCHMAN BECOMES MOST PROLIFIC WINNER IN THE HISTORY OF THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS  WITH 6TH WIN IN THE 68TH ANNUAL RACE OF CHAMPIONS 250 TO CLOSE OU
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10/1/2018

10/1/2018

Race of Champions


MATT HIRSCHMAN BECOMES MOST PROLIFIC WINNER IN THE HISTORY OF THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS WITH 6TH WIN IN THE 68TH ANNUAL RACE OF CHAMPIONS 250 TO CLOSE OU

Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pennsylvania, became the most prolific winner in the history of the Race of Champions after capturing his 6th career and 4th consecutive in the 68th edition of the event at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Penn., to close out Presque Isle Downs & Casino Race of Champions weekend. Hirschman’s victories came on three distinctly different type tracks in Chemung (N.Y.) Speedrome, Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway and Lake Erie, which is a 3/8-mile progressively banked oval.

“This is really unreal for us, we had a great car today but the pit stop strategy was challenging,” stated Hirschman following the race. “Things went our way and we were able to manage the tires and use the race tracks multiple lanes to our advantage and put ourselves in a position to win. The track provides two wide racing all over it and it must have been a great race to watch because there were so many battles. It takes everything to win this race and to do it six times now is humbling and very special. This race means a great deal to my family. My Dad (Tony Hirschman) has won it four times. It is an incredible feeling and this truly means a great deal to all of us.”

Hirschman took home $12,500 for the win.

Hirschman started the 250-lap race from second and took the lead from Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, N.Y., and held the top spot for until lap 144 when pit cycling began.

Six different drivers took their turn at the top position during the event; Hossfeld, Austin Kochenash of Danielsville, Pa., Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, N.Y., Daren Scherer of Binghamton, N.Y., and Eric Beers of Northampton, Pa., before Hirschman took back the top spot for good on lap 203.

Hossfeld and Jankowiak were battling for the Race of Champions title before Jankowiak’s engine expired late in the race. Hossfeld went on to finish second and clinch his fourth series crown.

Kochenash finished third for the second straight season. Jimmy Zacharias of Candor, N.Y., finished fourth and Jack Ely of Wall, N.J., rounded out the top-five.

Hossfeld set fast time during green-white-checker qualifying while Kochenash, Danny Knoll, Jr., of North Tonawanda, N.Y., and Ely won the qualifying races.

During post-race inspection several items were specifically inspected including; compression, the ignition system, MSD Box, transmission and carburetors. All cars passed inspection.

Jimmy Pearce of Buffalo, N.Y., won the Race of Champions Four Cylinder “Dash” Series event over Greg Moldt of Chemung, N.Y., who finished second. Travis Montgomery of Ontario, N.Y., finished third and earned the first-ever Race of Champions Four Cylinder “Dash” Series championship.

Rich Sharpe of Buffalo, N.Y., claimed the Street Stock race over Nik Welshans of West Falls, N.Y., who came home second. Tim Welshans of West Falls, N.Y., finished third.

Sam Fullone of North Collins, N.Y., won the Race of Champions Late Model for the second consecutive year. Jerick Johnson who towed all the way from Mooresville, N.C., finished second. Terry Weldy of Clarence, N.Y., finished third. Eldon King, III of Delevan, N.Y., claimed the Race of Champions Late Model Series championship.

On Friday night Jeremie Haudricort of Bliss, N.Y., scored his first ever Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series victory over George Skora of Eden, N.Y., and Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, N.Y.

Scott Wylie of Blasdell, N.Y., earned the Series championship with a 10th place finish.

Tommy Krawczyk of West Seneca, N.Y., won a wild Race of Champions Super Stock Series feature. Krawczyk out ran Joe Mancuso of Buffalo, N.Y., who finished second and earned his second Race of Champions Super Stock Series championship, third championship dating back to the previous name of the Series, the Big 10 Super Stock Series. Mike Nichols of Elmira, N.Y., finished third.

Full and detailed race results and point standings can be obtained at www.rocmodifiedseries.com

John Julicher, Sr., (former Late Model driver and two-time Race of Champions Late Model winner); David Kerper (former Race of Champions employee) and “The Fans” were all inducted into the Race of Champions Hall-of-Fame and will be recognized on the Al Gerber Race of Champions Memorial Trophy.

The Race of Champions is a sanctioning body presenting Modified and Stock Car racing on asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with primary marketing partners Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, US Army, Upstate Automotive Group, Waddell Communications, Pilat Graphic Design, Jerico Performance, TDH Refrigeration, Sherwood Racing Wheels, PavedTrackDigest.com and Speed51.com. The 68th annual Race of Champions weekend will take place in 2018 at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pennsylvania and is the second longest consecutive auto-racing event in North America, second only to the Indianapolis 500.

For more information, contact;

Race of Champions Media at media@rocmodifiedseries.com

Follow us on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook; @RoCModSeries or visit our website: www.rocmodifiedseries.com

Feature Finish; Saturday, September 29, 2018

68th Annual Race of Champions 250

Presque Isle Downs & Casino Race of Champions Weekend

Lake Erie Speedway, North East, Pennsylvania

Finishing Position, Starting Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)

Pos Starting Position No. Name Laps

1 2 60 Matt Hirschman 250

2 1 22 Chuck Hossfeld

3 7 66 Austin Kochenash

4 6 71 Jimmy Zacharias

5 9 54 Jack Ely

6 4 07 Patrick Emerling

7 3 45 Eric Beers

8 12 88 Scott Wylie

9 13 25 Mike Leaty

10 15 3 Daren Scherer

11 8 17 Danny Knoll, Jr.

12 10 65 George Skora, III

13 18 26 J.R. Kent

14 11 19 Dave Schneider

15 23 0 Randall Richards

16 19 40 Alan Bookmiller

17 20 32 Tyler Rypkema

18 21 65l Daryl Lewis, Jr. 250

19 17 34 John Fortin 209

20 5 12x Andy Jankowiak 195 Engine

21 24 74 Sherri Hogan 134 Over Heating

22 16 59 Karl Hehr 105 Electrical

23 25 19b Austin Beers 81 Over Heating

24 26 00 Connor Sellars 66 Mechanical

25 14 95 Bryan Sherwood 60 Mechanical

26 22 1 Chris Risdale 3 Mechanical

Time of Race: 1 hour 42 minutes 52 seconds Average Speed 54.800 mph Margin of victory: .629 seconds

Lead Changes: 7 between 6 drivers [Chuck Hossfeld, 1-6], [Matt Hirschman, 7-144], [Hossfeld, 145-147], [Austin Kochenash, 148-180], [Andy Jankowiak, 181-182], [Daren Scherer,183-201], [Eric Beers, 202-203], [Matt Hirschman, 203-250]

Speed51.com “Top of the Board” Award; Chuck Hossfeld (14.812 seconds @ 91.142 mph)

Paved Track Qualifying Race Winners; Austin Kochenash (1); Danny Knoll, Jr. (1); Jack Ely (1)

Jerico Performance “Jammin’ Gears Awards”; Randall Richards (Advanced 8 positions in feature)

US Army Top Performer Award; Chuck Hossfeld (14.888 seconds @ 90.677 mph)

Jan “Pops” Leaty Award – Leader Lap 25 – Matt Hirschman

$100 Bicknell Racing Products Certificate Award (Third Place) – Austin Kochenash

MyRacePass “Free Pass” Award – John Fortin

Speed51 “Every Lap Matters” Fastest Practice Lap – Matt Hirschman

DNQ: Dan Majchrzak; Mark Hoch

Feature Finish; Saturday September 29, 2018

Race of Champions – Race of Champions Late Model Series

Lake Erie Speedway, North East, Pa.

Finishing Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)

Pos No. Name

1 48 Sammy Fulllone 40

2 76 Jerick Johnson

3 66 Terry Weldy

4 11 Bob Weber

5 93 Dave Russell

6 0 Eldon King, III

7 21 Joe Berretta

8 20n Scott Nurmi 39

9 11X Dan Dressel 39

10 20g Neil Gacom 37

11 31x Ron Richter 36

12 2 Dave Whittaker 27

13 24 Dave Rigan DNS

Qualifying Race Winners; Sam Fullone; Bob Weber

Feature Finish; Saturday September 29, 2018

Race of Champions – Race of Champions Four Cylinder “Dash” Series

Lake Erie Speedway, North East, Pa.

Finishing Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)

Pos No. Name

1 26 Jimmy Pearce

2 51M Greg Moldt

3 04 Travis Montgomery

4 89 Jody London

5 28 David Brunka

6 09 Dan Dressel

7 36 Michelle Russo

8 27 Joe Brunka

9 83 Jeff Szafreniec

10 25 David Milbrand

11 54 Briar Dils

12 88 Gene Perris

13 32 Robert Palmer

14 30 Bob Bogner

15 14 Allison Montgomery

16 10x Ryan Palmer

17 1 Ryan Pums

18 9 Braedon Suffoletta

19 17 Mike Ferris

20 51 Chris Eagan

21 73 Adam Killingbeck

22 2 Dave Harbst

23 40 Austin Montgomery

24 27k Greg Krause

25 33 Bobby Woch

26 37NY Josh Schosek

27 66 Jacob Gustafsson

28 71x Nicole Maltby

29 04B Alex Broward

Qualifying Race Winners: Greg Moldt; Jimmy Pearce; Dave Milbrand; Allison Montgomery

Feature Finish; Saturday, September 29, 2018

Race of Champions – Street Stock

Lake Erie Speedway, North East, Pa.

Finishing Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)

Pos No. Name

1 93 Rich Sharpe

2 41 Nik Welshans

3 32 Tim Welshans

4 36 Ken Maltby

5 55 Tommy Wentland

6 81 Jake Wylie

7 83 Jeff Szafraniec

8 94 Kory Rider

9 42 Scott Chaplin

10 2 Scott Gleed

11 53 Bob Blaszek

Qualifying Race Winners: Nik Welshans; Rich Sharpe

Feature Finish; Friday, September 28, 2018

Race of Champions Super Stock Series

Lake Erie Speedway, North East, Pa.

Finishing Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)

Pos No. Name

1 48 Tom Krawcyzk

2 64 Joe Mancuso

3 72 Mike Nichols

4 71 Tim Gullo

5 09 Andy Cryan

6 34 Charlie Sharpsteen

7 44 Jake Wylie

8 7 Josh Hunter

9 28 Tommy Barron

10 75W Zach Willis

11 75 Chuck Anderson

12 48B Eric Brown

13 99 Bob Ripely

14 23 Mark Shipman

15 84 Josh Schoonmaker

16 94x Paul Flye

17 83 Jeff Szafraniec

18 1 Vern Hedderick

19 06 T.J. Cochrane

Qualifying Race Winners; Joe Mancuso; T.J. Cochrane

Feature Finish; Friday, September 28, 2018

Race of Champions Asphalt Sportsman Modified Series

Lake Erie Speedway, North East, Pa.

Finishing Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)

Pos No. Name

1 39 Jeremy Haudricourt

2 65NY George Skora III

3 07 Patrick Emerling

4 51 Shawn Nye

5 10 Mike Fiebelkorn

6 1 Tony Hanbury

7 17 Kevin Timmerman

8 94 Zack Curren

9 32 Tyler Rypkema

10 44 Scott Wylie

11 65 Andy Lewis

12 41 Andy Jankowiak

13 00 Connor Sellars

14 8 Chris Finnochario

15 11K Ricky Knapp

16 1 Mike Leaty

17 74 Sherri Hogan

18 2 Owen Bednasz

19 36 David Koslowski

20 20 Nick Morich

21 98 Charlie Sharpsteen

22 11 Bob Weber

23 84 Neal Dietz

24 6 Tom Alloco

25 71 Jimmy Zacharias

26 27 Jake Vernon

27 09 Mike Ramos

28 87 Matt Druar

29 96 Don Pringle

30 19 Austin Beers

31 33 Eddie Hawkins

Qualifying Race Winners; Neil Dietz; George Skora, III; Kevin Timmerman; Mike Fiebelkorn

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