(Press release from Race Of Champions Modified Series)
– 58th Career Victory in the 299th Race of Champions Modified Series Race –
The Race of Champions Modified Series opened it’s 2024 campaign this past Saturday at Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton, PA, with the running of the “Spring Meltdown” 75. Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, took the lead with just two laps remaining in the race and went on to earn the 58th victory of his career in the Series 299th race.
“We had a good car and this race had many twists and turns,” offered Hirschman from victory lane. “It was a great start of the season for the track and for the Series with a good car count. There were a lot of good cars on the track tonight and there was no pass that was easy. I want to thank everyone on my crew, my family, my sponsors and everyone for coming out to watch us tonight.”
Hirschman started 12th and rode a roller-coaster throughout the event until being able to move forward and make an impressive pass using the outside groove on Roger Coss of Lafeyette, NJ, who was seeking his first Series victory.
“We were close tonight,” explained Coss. “It’s challenging when you are racing the best in the business, but it’s a great benchmark for us to start the year.”
Coss finished second with defending Series champion, Zane Zeiner of Bath, PA, finishing third. Zeiner led late in the race but was only able to finish third when the checkered flag waved.
Austin Kochenash of Daniesville, PA, finished fourth and Kyle Strohl of Palmerton, PA, rounded out the top-five.
Jake Lutz of Hamburg, NY, set fast time in “Green-White-Checker” group qualifying.
Lutz; Jack Ely of Wall, NJ, the defending event champion; John Bennett of Lehighton, PA, and Hirschman won the qualifying races.
Full results from the “Spring Meltdown 75” can be found here; www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/516315
The next Series race will be Saturday, May 11 at Chemung (NY) Speedrome, where the Series will celebrate it’s 300th race. Stay tuned for more information in regard to this.
Enjoyable race that i watched on RA , it did not look like Big Money was going to make it to the front … He was running 7th with 21 laps to go .. Lots of shuffling up front on restarts helped Matt charge to the front. He did it the hard way on the pass for the lead on the OUTSIDE … Excellent Race to watch… unique track .. Mark Hudson from Norton Ma, is the current Late Model Champion from 2023…He Won the late model feature also .. He makes the 5 hour tow to race there every couple of weeks … Mark was a regular runner for years along with his DAD Leroy who I raced with in the late models years ago at the Konk… Great Family … Glad to see Mark have success down in Pa.. He also races at Hudson Speedway in NH … Glad to see one of the truly good guys in racing achieve Wins & a Championship after trying many many years to grab the brass ring…. !! good stuff…He never quit , didn’t have big bucks, but just kept improving himself & the equipment year after year and Won a Feature at Seekonk that was very popular with the drivers and fans… Congratulations Mark Hudson and Team.!!! YOU EARNED IT !!!!