Matt Hirschman
Matt Hirschman has earned the nickname “Money Matt” over the past few years for his success in grabbing victories in big paying Open Modified events.
And here it was, a $15,000 to win race and Hirschman might not make it.
A Race of Champions Tour makeup event it seemed would take precedence for the Northampton, Pa. driver.
Hirschman was one of the first drivers to commit to the lineup for the Modified Touring Series’ inaugural Winchester 200 at Monadnock Speedway. But when the April 30 Race of Champions Tour event at Lancaster (N.Y.) National Speedway was rained out and moved to May 21 it put Hirschman’s plans in dissaray.
On Wednesday Hirschman said he still had not made a decision as to where was going. No decision on Thursday either. But on Friday he said he put the decision into the hands of his team as a whole.
Hirschman, who races regularly on the Race of Champions Tour, confirmed exclusively Friday afternoon to RaceDayCT that he will be in the lineup at the Winchester 200.
“It was a tough choice,” Hirschman said. “We waited until the last minute. I really was having a tough time making the choice. I let my crew all sort of have a vote and we decided that we’re going to go to Monadnock. We’re still looking at weather, not that the forecast is terrible for Lancaster, but there is a higher percentage of showers there. So that factored in. There was a lot of things to consider and it was a tough choice for me and I couldn’t make it alone so we made it as a group and we’ve got some work to do here yet.”
Matt just became $15,000 richer !!!!
Wow, a bit of a shocker. Changes the course of the ROC title chase. Good news for Monadnock and everyone attending that race.
Well, what does the ROC Championship points fund pay out?
I’m guessing the ROC point fund and any other point fund you can name doesn’t pay $15,000.
This news really sucks! Matt is such a Big part of the Race of Champions Series, but I understand the team is looking @ 15K. He almost won a big race at my hometown track, Wyoming County Speedway for 10K last fall. Good Luck to all!
…and why are you so sure the Winchester 200 will pay out $15,000?
It’s not like Gary Knight’s word is gold.
well I am sure the winner will make sure we all know if they get paid the 15K as advertised, 22 cars on hand with rain coming
wmass01013, good crowd turnout?
Race started at 7pm even though rain isn’t so close. Will be over before sun goes down. Good crowd but not a WMT size crowd. Certainly big enough to cover the purse though.
Well, if 100% of the front gate went to the purse, there would need to be 2,500 people there to cover the purse. But only a portion of the front gate goes towards the purse. The track needs to cover it’s expenses, pay salaries, insurance, electric, security, etc. So a small portion of those front gate receipts go towards the purse. There better be a lot more than 2,500 people there. Lots more than 2,500 people.
22 cars… not that many crew and family in the back gate.
Preece wins, Hirschman 5th.
Monadnock would have to be almost full to have 2500 people there, and I’m willing to bet there were significantly less than 2500 people there, just like there were significantly less than 35 modifieds there.
This race is the biggest flop in the Northeast since the International 500.
The crowd was as large as NWMT races at Monadnock and larger than last year’s Tri-Track race.
Dawrong, Matt was 3rd. Keep trying. If you were there It would help you keep your facts straight. You and facts seem to have an ongoing battle.