(Press Release from NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)
Matt Hirschman (Photo: Adam Glanzman)
Matt Hirschman left Oswego Speedway with a sour taste in his mouth last year.
The Northampton, Pennsylvania, driver started from the pole and led 117 laps driving the No. 60 PeeDee Motorsports Chevrolet, but found himself trailing the back bumper of Ryan Preece in the final laps.
A day of qualifying in the top spot, leading the most laps and ending with a podium was exactly what he was looking for when he drove into the track. But he wanted to finish one spot further up in the field.
“Anytime you get passed for the lead after leading as much as we did, it’s disappointing,” Hirschman said. “But at the same time, it was a really strong performance for us. Since then, everytime we have been out, we have finished inside the top three. We’ve really been stringing together a lot of good, solid days.”
Now, with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour steering back in the direction of the Oswego Speedway for the Toyota Mod Classic 150 presented by McDonald’s next Saturday, Hirschman is looking for a little redemption. He will look to seal his first victory since 2008 on the circuit at a track he is familiar with.
Even though it will only be his second Whelen Modified Tour start at Oswego, Hirschman does have modified experience with the Race of Champions division, and has been to Victory Lane before.
“When we first started PeeDee Motorsports, we built it from the ground up. We wanted to attend the 2016 Oswego race, but we just missed on being 100 precent prepared to be there. I think my Oswego experience would’ve possibly outweighed the regulars that year,” Hirschman said. “It was a first time venue for almost everyone. In year three, I don’t feel like there is an advantage there for me.”
Much like Patrick Emerling, who competes in the modified ranks of upstate New York, Hirschman hasn’t been running the full calendar in Whelen Modified Tour competition. Last year, he only put three starts on the board, but finished inside the top-10 in two of them. And, in three starts so far this year, Hirschman has three straight finishes of third-place.
But the 2018 edition of the Oswego event introduces a whole new animal for teams to attack: live pit stops. He thinks that will play a major factor.
“It could drastically affect the outcome of the race,” Hirschman said of those live pit stops. “I have put together a crew to go over the wall with some people that don’t work with us all the time, just because I’m trying to put together the best possible team that we can. We probably will have a crew go over the wall with maybe four of five different states. Practicing isn’t really an option, but we just want to put the best possible people in place. I’m excited, but I’m very realistic about what we are up against.”
Even though he has plenty of experience at the New York oval, even Hirschman is still tuning on the setup under the hood.
“I think for anyone, the inside wall, it takes time to get used to it,” Hirschman said of what it takes to get around the track. “Growing up, my father had a lot of success there, so it was a place I really looked forward to driving at. It took me a while for me to win there, but once I did, we have had a lot of success there.”
If you are interested in a little trip there will be 2 races in 2 nights this Fri/Sat. My friend Rick Allen of Barefoot Graphics has done some numbers and stripes for a second Leaty entry to be driven by Ryan Preece in Friday night Tribute to Pops ( Leaty) 75 ROC event at Spencer Speedway. While one of Matt’s two Tour victories have come at Spencer, he’s never won an ROC event there and we’ll be looking to change that. Hopefully some other Tour guys will bring a second car for Fri. Saturday at Oswego needs no set up. This article sums it up well. Pee Dee vs the Tour’s best is a can’t miss in my eyes.
It strikes me as odd that Nascar would do such a positive press release about a decidedly independent non-Nascar driver.Go Matt!
I get the basis for the observation. But he is a member of NASCAR clearly the only beef being he’s choosy.
Freakin Hirschman. Always generates equal parts excitement and animosity for his appearance schedule. All I see is a smart team that does well where ever they show up. Won the week long chanmpionship at New Smyrna. 2 wins and another top 5 in three races in the ROC. Second, third and whatever in the TTOMS. 3 races, 3 top 5’s and a pole in the NWMT.
It’s almost like some NWMT folk get ticked when he intrudes and does well because he isn’t loyal enough. There is no loyalty requirement.
So what’s the beef. I wish he’d come the Stafford. Especially since he puts his mug in the SK team listings and gets us all fired up.
Interesting that Emerling doesn’t stir up this much buzz. Still don’t see the draw to Hirschman.