The 2019 season for the Tri-Track Open Modified Series came to an intensely dramatic ending Saturday in the Haunted Hundred at Seekonk Speedway.
After getting passed for the lead in turn one by Ron Silk on the final lap of the feature, Matt Hirschman took a wildly erratic line into turn three, going through the grass and coming back out onto the track to take Silk out of the lead.
The move by Hirschman ultimately also collected third place running Matt Swanson and fifth place running Ronnie Williams. Hirschman came out of the melee with the lead and crossed the finish line first, but was immediately disqualified by series officials, giving the victory to Chase Dowling.
Immediately after the incident Hirschman told RaceDayCT: “I thought he drove in there and basically drove through me and in return I drove through him. If I look at it and see it differently I’ll own it.”
Sunday morning Hirschman followed up on that promise.
The Northampton, Pa. veteran offered a statement through Facebook concerning the incident. Below is the statement from Hirschman:
After watching video I would like to release a statement in regards to the finish of yesterdays Tri-Track event at Seekonk Speedway. Upon taking the white flag when I rolled out of the throttle entering turn 1 the 50 of Ron Silk came to my inside and we made side to side contact. With less than a lap to go in the heat of the moment I drove into turn 3 across the curb, left sides through the grass and into the side of the 50. Unfortunately he spun and others received damage in the process. For this I apologize to all involved. As a result I was disqualified and this reflects poorly on myself and our team. In my racing career I have been on both ends of situations like this I all I can say is I hate being on this end even more than the other. I will learn from this and try to do better next time. — Matt Hirschman
Well, I guess he did not see any plausible deniability. 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Actions speak louder than words. Let’s see if he did learn. Every race from here on will be a test. Will he continue to shoehorn his way under cars the way he has been for years, and is standard operating procedure in modified racing, just as Silk did? If so, why did he go berserk and take out several cars as a result of getting done to him as he has been doing?
I will learn from this and try to do better next time. — Matt Hirschman
Sorry, bro. Trying is not good enough.
What there was to learn he should have known decades ago. Not from racing, but from just being around racing, watching his father. Like he never did the same move to another car? I’m sure we can all make a list of when we saw him do the same as Silk did to him. If he really wants me to believe this was a fresh and new learning experience, he really is full of 💩.
Admitting it is fine. But he had no way out here. He certainly would only be making his mess worse if he denied it. I try so hard to not get speeding tickets, but hard as I try, I still get them. Trying is not good enough. I have been trying for years to lose weight. I’m still overweight. Trying is not achieving.
Doesn’t help Silk, but it’s a step…
We never see a driver apologize on social media… apologies should only be to all who is involved IMO. That move by Matt was ridiculous and hope to not see it again
Get off your high horse DaDope you can have your opinion but you should be ashamed of yourself for it every one gets you don’t like MH or DC.
I haven’t commented here in a long time. First let me thank you Shaun for your reporting.people make mistakes like hirshman did I know them both well they are very competitive emotions run high I myself am ok with it he owned it now move on.
We’re all human and we all make mistakes, some more severe than others. An honorable person will admit to his mistakes and take responsibility for them. Glad to see that Matt did just that. In the heat of the moment in anything, people sometimes make wrong decisions; stuff happens. Accepting responsibility for them is sometimes far more difficult.
Agreed, nothing we can do but move forward. He owned it. Can’t change it now. Matt knows he has one coming next season.
Happens every week at Bowman-Gray. Life goes on.
Unfortunately I could not be there even though I had planned to be. With that said because I did not witness the incident I really have no right to comment on what occurred. I will say though it takes a big man to admit his mistake and take ownership for what happened. Thank you Matt for doing that.
Well, just remember that MH was pissed at what Silk did, meaning that MH shall also never do the same ever again. Who knew that passing His Royal Highass was not allowed? Only His Royal Highass is allowed to do what Silk did.
It is well known that going into the last lap in the lead is a tough place to be with a good car right behind you. This is exactly why we love modified racing. We all knew what Silk was going to do, what Silk HAD to do. He did it and did it perfectly. MH would have done the same if the positions were reversed. And you all know it. And that played out perfectly. So perfectly that MH still a perfect car that he could use as a battering ram to take out Silk.
For those that are perceiving it as a mistake, read the article again… it was deliberate. When something is deliberate, it can not be a mistake. deliberate ≠ mistake
I so wish MH would get a full-time ride on the NWMT. Watching MH and DC take each other out would be like the good ol’ days of watching TC and Rick Fuller demolish themselves when they were near each other. That would be entertaining. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
MH won jerk of the race award. 🥇 Of course he owns it. There is no other option. No plausible deniability. Read the post race quotes.
Shawn, do you have the quotes from MH as audio recordings?
I wonder who would win jerk of this blog were it put to a vote? Asking for a friend.
Probably the best line:
Swanson, who ended up sixth and had the best view of Hirschman’s action’s down the backstretch, described the incident as: “Matt Hirschman being Matt Hirschman.”
A 19 year old kid knows all about the reputation of MH.
Everything happens for a reason, sometimes the reason is you’re stupid and make bad decisions.
That deliberate, non-mistake, bad decision, took out Silk and Swanson. Swanson had a great run going, great finish just a lap away. B-O-O-M!
Yep, MH will be collecting karma next season. Now that will be must see racing.
The public statement is an attempt at image management. Worthless. How many of these pubic statements have we seen in racing? This was a first for me. This gets done privately amongst the teams. I’ve seen a couple cars destroyed, but seeing the owners and drivers shaking hands afterwards was a boost to my faith in humanity. That can’t happen here. MH is pretty much pariah in the pits, no respect. His only option was to appeal to the general public. Look at what Silk and Swanson had to say. That clearly was not based on this single incident, but a long history. His words are worthless. Actions speak louder than words and his actions will do all the talking anybody wants to read or hear.
Modified racing does not need this crap. It wasn’t funny when TC and Rick Fuller constantly took themselves and each other out.
Kind of funny that suddenly Hirshman is a rough driver. In all the years he has raced in all different series and venues this incident was very uncharacteristic of the driver. Not right but not what this driver does. It is sad the number of races from sk lights all the way to Whelen tour we have seen end like this this season. Last lap contact has become the norm and often the best cars are not winning or even finishing. Regardless of who is involved it would be nice to see these guys making clean last lap attempts at victory. It is often the case that a clean pass is answered with a dirty retaliation, costing both guys podium finishes. Just seems to be a trend in modified racing I don’t think it is isolated to these two drivers by any means. If anything I guess Hirshman was at least willing to call it what it was and not make up the half baked excuses some guys offer up.
Wow..fire and brimstone time. Worse than the Tailiban or locust. MH should be cast to the sea so the Earth will be rid of this scourge for all time. An angry 19 year old has shown us the light. Saints be praised.
( I don’t deserve to go on myself…Deb!! where are those razor blades?)
It is stuff like this that gives racing a reputation that the sport is populated, participants and fans, by a bunch of knuckle dragging Neanderthals.
It is stuff like this that gives racing a reputation that the sport is populated, participants and fans, by a bunch of knuckle dragging Neanderthals.
Oh good I thought it might be the self righteous dispensers of “wisdom” on Internet blogs .
Glad that’s cleared up.
“I drove into turn 3 across the curb, left sides through the grass and into the side of the 50. Unfortunately he spun and others received damage in the process. For this I apologize to all involved.” Is he apologizing for what he did or the fact that Silk spun and got the others wrecked? I drove in to him with intent for getting even and sorry he spun is how it reads to me.
What’s abundantly clear from the two threads on the race is that people will have different perceptions of everything from the incident to the crowd size no matter what is reported.
With regard to Hirschman’s statement I can think of only his record over the years, how he’s conducted himself on and off the track, what he’s meant to modified racing and the enjoyment he has provided to fans.
It was a split second decision. After reading his heartfelt statement of contrition. One that I don’t recall any other driver doing to this extent after a major race dust up. If you still have a callous opinion of the guy or that he was somehow disingenuous then you may have a cynical problem more then he has an over aggression problem.
Dareal, man you can’t get over anything. You can’t get over the fact that Trump won the election. News flash, that was three years ago. You can get over the fact that MH drove into another racer. He made a statement, and apologized for the incident, and noted it reflects poorly on himself and his team. I would be willing to bet, he called Silk, and Swanson and apologized personally. It’s racing, and it’s over. Next race please.
Well said Doug I really enjoy having a connection to racing news I can respect different opinions however I have no time for all the other stuff that is in no way connected to racing.
RichC, an apology was issued, but is it genuine or something he had to do for appearances? Did the owner require it? And I have to say it looks like he is trying to make it appear that taking out Silk was not the objective, clearly the opposite of his comments reported right after the fact. MH is now trying to make this look like a normal racing deal. 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Last race of the season, hopefully the sanctioning bodies will forget this over the winter. Right? Perhaps MH will take next season off to “spend more time with the family”.
Are we going to see these public apologies now whenever some knuckle dragger goes raging? Well, this was the first publicly released apology I’ve ever seen, so what really prompted him to issue the apology? Is that all the knuckle dragger has to do for penance? Seriously?
Did Goodale issue a public apology for what he did to Silk?
The on-track behavior was a demonstration of massive selfishness and immature petulance. Supported by the post event comments.
This makes me think of the guys with incredible class, Richie Evans and Mike Stefanik.
So why hasn’t MH been a regular on the NWMT?
stay tuned north/south shootout is November 7/8th both of these guys should be there.
Or, some of us are involved in racing and know more about the story and history than the fans can possibly see.
Fans don’t see what goes on. No way, not a chance. Look how hard CiNY is working the diversion and distraction. What the fans see doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface.
So why hasn’t MH been a regular on the NWMT? Does he want to keep cherry picking and stealing candy from babies, or compete on the most competitive tour, the NWMT? Looks like he’s having fun stealing candy from babies. Or NWMT owners aren’t interested.
RichC, an apology was issued, but is it genuine or something he had to do for appearances? Did the owner require it?
!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Who owns the car fool?
Darealgoodfella,
All right here: Unmuffled QuickCast: Horror At The Haunted Hundred
Crazy, I swear you are so easy. Not many owners will take him on so he has to run his own car. doh. Glad you cleared that up.
People who think Matt Hirschman is clean should ask Chuck Hossfeld his opinion.
So why hasn’t MH been a regular on the NWMT? LOL
( more squirrel cage material)
This has been hashed over a number of times here.
Doug the Raceday archivist probably has it all date stamped and ready for instant recall, ask him.
Stealing from babies you say? TTOM easy pickings eh? Hmm… makes you wonder where
Coby and JBon are for these” easy” events, what they don’t like money?
Call before U dig needs a spokesman. You available?
too late .money man ya blew it ..lost the championship. lost the race and lost any respect you had accumulated. “gee sorry I had an affair honey ..ill never do it again.. honest ” ” I will never take another drink” . “it was the hardest thing I ever did and I will learn from it.. lets move fwd” .. all words all words. you got passed legit without being body slammed, run into the marbles or left sideways…and you got so angry you drove thru the grass into the side of the leader ( who`s car you have driven by the way). because you couldn’t maintain your temper. you and kyle busch should team up .. you could be the new martin and lewis ..LOSER ..ruined what could have been an epic finish ..add to your resume of dogging it to save tires never leading so you wont be the recipient of modifieds unfortunate passing solution to going outside, the dreaded “bottom shot” ..
Dan R says:
People who think Matt Hirschman is clean should ask Chuck Hossfeld his opinion.
great point Dan, that “move” in turn 3 at the NSS several years ago was horrible. im surprised Chuck wasnt seriously injured after Matt wrecked him that night.
..add to your resume of dogging it to save tires never leading * so you wont be the recipient of modifieds unfortunate passing solution to going outside, the dreaded “bottom shot” ..
* (Hirschman – laps 45-99 $1195)
Dareal the ameba seems to have split ….look up never there sour. Words actually mean things.
Keep it coming boys..don’t stop now. We are learning so much.
I want you all to think back through all your years on this planet and tell me you never did something in the heat of the moment in retaliation for an act against you that put you in not the best light with your peers. We are all human and make mistakes. It happened, get over, get used to it or learn how to live with it one of the 3.
crazy or mentally challenged in NY. money matt got some lap money perhaps he can donate to the teams whos cars received damage from his stupidity and selfish driving .. I don’t think the lap money will cover it …. money matts move should be the new agony of defeat clip for wide world of sports . sell crazy somewhere else.. go da real w on the same page homey !!!
Earl..please . No rational or reasonable posts during these trying times. It’s just not the right thing to do.
sour.. ah crazy might be defined as somebody that thinks Wide World of Sports is still on.
also while you are checking my claim. note also Modifieds don’t run Firestone tires anymore or 54 Chevy frames.
Time for a little catch up bud.
Earl, using a 600+ HP 2,600 pound car as a battering ram on a race track to vent anger and frustration in the heat of the moment is unacceptable. It’s dangerous and expensive.
Lost the race and championship. Priceless. How much was lost, Crazy? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡🤡
The 60 was off the finishers list. Will the lap money be paid to the 60? Or redistributed to those on the finishers list? Do I have to remind you that the 60 was DQ’d, that means disqualified. Kind alike Lance Armstrong records were wiped off.
OK after watching the video several times it was CLEARLY Matt’s worst moment, Matt has shown a temper at times over the years BUT this was a very low class move, Silk’s pass was a textbook pass, some contact but NO BODY slam or take out from behind and Hirschman’s just plain wreck of Silk and others has No place in racing, Maybe Matt can drive weekly at Bowman Gray next season.
Crazy cmon man you cant defend your boy on this one, you can throw all the smart comments back at all who think it was a low class move, don’t lower yourself to deflect away from the move, it happened, lets hope Matt learned a lesson.
Crazy cmon man you cant defend your boy on this one,
And when and where did I do that? He made a very bad move, the whole world saw it, he acknowledged it
so what is it you want from me? Kick him incessantly while he’s down? Certain people will go on and on about it making the rubble bounce …but to what end? Chicopee join the Mickey Mouse Club if you have to
but you can give up on me beating him up. I know him better that any of you and he’ll come out of this fine. He takes an extra beat down around here because he’s not a Tour regular and you snobs have your noses all bent out of shape because of it. So…life goes on and the silliness around here as well.
I’m here if you want a serious discussion or a trollfest for the fun of it. I’m good either way.
Does anybody remember Mike Stefanik getting taken out on the last lap of the mod race at Daytona at that horror show? And it was allowed to stand!!
Crazy, no Tour snobs here. The NWMT is the series with the best crew chiefs, drivers and competition. Other teams try to run the Tour and can’t compete. That is a statistical fact. You relentlessly shill for MH as if he is too good to run the NWMT. If he was that good, he’d have numerous top ride offers from NWMT owners, would have been on the Tour full time since he started driving, and he wouldn’t have to run his own car in order to drive.
Yeah but that was a hit from behind spin not a cut thru the infield and t bone a car!!! It was actually Steve Park that did it and if I remember correctly Max Zachem was on parks crew that night.Man was Mike pissed!!!
And if I recall correctly, Steve Park was boinked from behind, pushing him into Stefanik. Way different than going off roading and targeting another car.
Slapnuts, that sure brings back memories. Couple of things. Weren’t both Parks car and Stefanick’s cars team cars? I cannot for the life of me, if they were, remember who fielded them if they were. i ‘ll never forget the look on that poor guys face, (Stefanik) when they stuck the microphone in it, right after that incident. And I’m sad about the shot, because I remember Jay Leno using it, and kind of making fun of that shot on national TV, when Leno was still hosting the tonight show. Pissed me off, and Stefanik was portrayed as , well, you get the idea. Never a Leno fan after that. Jmo.
It was Goodale who “bumped” Park into Mike. It’s on YouTube if you need a refresher. Kyle Larson was in that race. Would love to see him run Loudon.
You what about Gary and the 25 Team?
Congratulations to Ronnie Williams he beat them all fair and square🏁
Bob says
October 29, 2019 at 6:52 pm
……………. Couple of things. Weren’t both Parks car and Stefanick’s cars team cars? I cannot for the life of me, if they were, remember who fielded them if they were. i ‘ll never forget the look on that poor guys face, (Stefanik) when they stuck the microphone in it, right after that incident. And I’m sad about the shot, because I remember Jay Leno using it, and kind of making fun of that shot on national TV, when Leno was still hosting the tonight show. Pissed me off, and Stefanik was portrayed as , well, you get the idea. Never a Leno fan after that. Jmo.
Bob, Steve Park was in a Mike Smeriglio car teamed with Todd Szegedy. Todd led the first 126 laps and had a ball joint come apart. I think Stefanik was driving for Chris Our at that time.
Thanks steve.
Darn memory of mine. I knew he was a team car to somebody. Thanks for setting me straight.
I was not there to watch live, saw all of the crazy stuff that went on. At least Matt manned up and said it was my fault. Not MANY guys would do that. Move on till next season. Just an fyi, the mod tour is OK, need go to heats & consi. Also, one day shows.
Just reading about this craziness on my flight home… All I can say is good thing my personal stwardess Katie knows how to mix a stiff drink! Seriously boys, keep calm and have a drink!
🎃 🧟 🧟♂️ 🕸
I don’t think I have ever seen a press release like this. Not even in the big league national touring series.
🧛🏼♀️ 🏴 👻 🦍 🦧 ☠️
Though I’ve seen petulant children 👶 required to apologize after misbehaving.
So much respect.
https://www.shorttrackscene.com/modifieds/why-matt-hirschman-is-happy-where-he-is/