The Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium in Wall, N.J. annually marks the closing of the racing season for those in the Tour Type Modified community.
Saturday at the historic Jersey Shore bullring Matt Hirschman put the perfect bookend on his 2022 season in a Tour Type Modified.
Hirschman kicked off the 2022 season with a victory in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event on Feb. 12 at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway and closed the season with another exclamation point statement on the season’s record.
Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa., scored victory in the $10,000 to win 150-lap Tour Type Modified feature at the Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium.
“Tire management at the end I guess you could say worked out,” Hirschman said. “Just thankful with the season we’ve had, what a way to end it. This is the way to end the season. Turkey Derby is such a big event. When you fans come out and fill the place. The place is exciting. … It’s an exciting little bullring short track.”
Timmy Solomito of Islip, N.Y. was second and Andrew Krause of Holdmdel, N.J. third.
It was the sixth career Turkey Derby Tour Type Modified win for Hirschman and his third in the last four runnings of the event.
“It’s such a big event and it’s been really a big part of my career, both the highs and the lows,” Hirschman said.
Former Turkey Derby winners Jimmy Blewett of Howell, N.J. was fourth and Dave Sapienza of Riverhead, N.Y. fifth.
It was the 28th victory in 48 events this year for Hirschman, who had wins at 17 different tracks up and down the east coast.
“We work hard for it,” said Hirschman, who also won the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series championship in 2022. “We earned everything we got this year.”
Turkey Derby Tour Type Modified Feature Results
Hats off too him and the team. Super impressive record. Wondering if he will be at the Sizzler in 2023. As defending race winner and a huge purse I can’t see why not.
Congratulations Matt. Great season for sure
Never have seen Hirschman so exuberant exiting the car, dancing around and waiving the checkered flag like a first time winner. He might have been both happy and relieved 2022 was over and he could take a break knowing he had arguably a historically successful year.
I’ve ponder the Hirschman appearing at the 2023 Sizzler as well. He did mention last year the SRX opportunity was a special consideration in his decision. That will likely not exist again so what will he do? I’d say he appears mainly because he has current notes on the track that clearly work, it is in the MMTTS rotation and the money again will be outstanding.
There is no record book for what Hirschman does to compare anyone to because he’s the only one that does what he does. In any event if it’s Hirschman 2022 vs Hirschman any other year Hirschman 2022 had to be the big winner and by a lot. If Evans is perceived as the most successful modified driver ever is Hirschman at or near being in that same category?