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HIRSCHMAN
UNTOUCHABLE IN TTOMS ACTION;
DOMINATES FLAMINGO MOTORSPORTS 100 AT STAR |
Matt
Hirschman of Northampton, PA turned in a dominating
performance in NorthEast Race Cars Tri-Track Open
Modified Series action to score the victory in
Wednesday night’s Flamingo Motorsports 100 at Star
Speedway in Epping, NH. In a controversial finish,
Les Hinckley of Windsor Locks, CT, and Jon McKennedy
of Chelsmford, MA, joined Hirschman on the podium.
It was his third win in the three races held so far
for the Tri-Track Series (TTOMS) this season. It
also cements Hirschman’s stronghold on Star
Speedway’s victory lane.
“This is my best track,” said Hirschman in victory
lane. “I hate to sound cocky but I will be hard to
beat when I am out front here.”
That was certainly the case on Wednesday night as
Hirschman led every lap en route to the victory.
“I think the guys may be tired of following me
around here,” added Hirschman.
With modified aces Hirschman and Ryan Preece
qualifying through heat races on the front row,
Series managing partner Wayne Darling posed a
challenge to the duo - start tail of the field, win
and pocket an extra $1,000 cash. Series point leader
Hirschman opted to remain on the front row. A
showman, Preece started scratch on the field.
From the drop of the green flag Hirschman was dogged
by Max Zachem and Richard Savary. Immediately the
field lined up nose to tail with Hirschman, Zachem,
Savary, Hinckley and Pennink making up the top five.
On lap 6, Hinckley was all over the back bumper of
Savary. He was able to make the pass but went wide
exiting turn three and shoving Savary out of the
groove. Savary lost several positions. Finding
himself now locked in battle with Woody Pitkat. The
pair went side-by-side for several laps before
Savary went spinning off the race track’s
backstretch on lap 10 to bring out the first
caution. Preece was still mired deep in the field.
On the restart, Zachem tucked in behind Hirschman.
Pennink looked to be making the outside groove work;
taking third away from Hinckley and charging to the
outside of Zachem. Preece and McKennedy, who started
at the back of the pack after suffering mechanical
woes in qualifying, began picking their way through
the field.
Hinckley was, once again, moving in the positive
direction advancing positions over Pennink and
Zachem. He continued his forward progress and began
to reel in Hirschman.
Hirschman and Hinckley enjoyed a bit of breathing
room over Pennink in third. Pitkat joined the fray
getting by Zachem and headed for Pennink. Youngster
Blake Barney was having a solid night running in
sixth. Preece’s progress had stalled-out in tenth
position.
Preece was getting pressure from McKennedy, who made
the pass look easy on lap 44. Savary was gaining
ground following his earlier incident to run
mid-pack as well.
Just as the lead duo of Hirschman and Hinckley hit
heavy lapped traffic, a caution flew on lap 46 for a
single-car spin by Dylan Rock. Under the caution,
the entire field headed to the pit area for service
with the exception of Tommy Barrett.
The restart on lap 46 pitted Tommy Barrett against
Hirschman. Hirschman got a great run on the outside
and was able to get the lead away from Barrett
before the completion of the lap. Cars inside the
top-ten went scrambling when third-running Hinckley
washed-up the track in turn two. Several cars were
collected including Anthony Nocella and Zachem to
bring out the third caution of the event on lap 47.
All were able to continue; however, Zachem was
penalized for intentionally bringing out the yellow.
Hirschman looked like he was shot out of cannon the
on lap 47 restart. Barrett fell back losing several
positions and Preece was making his presence known;
breaking into the top five.
At halfway, Hirschman continued to lead Pennink and
now Pitkat in third and Preece in fourth. The lead
duo extended their lead as the battle for third
heated up between Pitkat, Preece, and Andy
Jankowiak. Jon Kievman and Brian Robie also joined
the fray.
Jankowiak dogged Preece for fourth. Making a run on
Preece, the two made contact. Jankowiak spun and
collected Preece to bring out the fourth caution on
lap 60. Kievman and Brian Robie were also involved.
Jankowiak and Robie remained on track while Preece
and Kievman returned to the event after pitting.
Following the incident, Preece would not be a factor
in the outcome of the race; ending his bid for the
$1,000 bonus.
Lap 60 Hirschman took control of the event once
again with Pennink in second followed by Pitkat.
Barney continued his strong run in fourth with
Hinckley back inside the top five. Inside the
top-ten, Kurt Vigeant had his hands full with
McKennedy. He was able to hold him off for a couple
of laps before giving up the spot. A fully-recovered
Savary followed through.
After staying out on the lap 46, Barrett had taken
advantage of the lap 60 caution and was slicing
through the field with the new fresher tires.
Hinckley was beginning to look racy once again as
well; passing Pitkat for third. John McKennedy
dogged Barney and took the position away on lap 74.
Barrett was back to sixth. Up front, Hinckley was
right on Pennink while Hirschman got a few
car-length advantage.
The caution flew on lap 80 for spin by Jankowiak in
turn four. Hirschman, Pennink, Hinckley were again
the top-three on the restart. Hinckley peeked to the
inside of Pennink looking for second. Barrett was
right with Hinckley as well. The three cars ran in a
tight pack a few car lengths behind leader
Hirschman.
Thing got dicey on lap 89 when Hinckley got sideways
coming out of turn four. The door opened for Barrett
but he could not make the pass. All the action
cooled when the sixth and final caution of the event
flew on lap 90 for a single-car spin by Savary.
The caution set up a 10 lap shootout for the
checkers. Again, it was Hirschman pitted against
Pennink. The two went side by side for a single lap
before Pennink settled back in line in second.
Sparks were flying off the Pennink’s 25 from contact
from Barrett, who had gotten by Hinckley. All cars
were able to continue without changing positions.
With the heated battle for second, now between
Pennink and Barrett, Hirschman enjoyed the largest
advantage of the night. Barrett was letting it all
hang out over the final few laps. Coming to the
checkers, a distance behind winner Hirschman,
Barrett and Pennink made contact; sending Pennink
spinning. Barrett was penalized for his actions and
scored as the final car on the lead lap. Pennink,
whose frustration boiled over, was issued a fine for
contact after the race.
When the dust settled, Hirschman sat patiently in
victory lane joined by family and friends. Hinckley
and McKennedy rode their roller coaster nights to
podium finishes. Pitkat and Kievman completed the
top-five. Nocella, Barney, Vigeant, Jankowiak and
Matt Galko rounded out the top-ten.
There is only one TTOMS race left for competitors to
try to stop Hirschman’s winning ways. The final race
of the 2017 TTOMS season is scheduled for Saturday,
October 28 at Seekonk Speedway with the running of
the Haunted Hundred. In the meantime, fans of the
Tri-Track Open Modified Series can visit the series
on social media - on Facebook at facebook.com/tritrackmods
and on Twitter @tritrackmods.
NorthEast Racecars Tri-Track Open Modified Series
– August 23, 2017 - Flamingo Motorsports 100- Star
Speedway Official Finish:
1. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA; 2. Les Hinckley,
Windsor Locks, CT; 3. Jon McKennedy, Chelsmford, MA;
4. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 5. Jon Kievman,
Deerfield Beach, FL; 6. Anthony Nocella, Woburn, MA;
7. Blake Barney, Lakewood, NJ; 8. Kurt Vigeant,
Oxford, MA; 9. Andy Jankowiak, Tonawanda, NY; 10.
Matt Galko, Meriden, CT; 11. Josh Cantara, Saco, ME;
12. Dana Smith, Sunapee, NH; 13. Richard Savary,
Canton, MA; 14. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 15. Michael
Douglas Jr., Auburn, NH; 16. Rowan Pennink,
Huntingdon Valley, PA; 17. Tommy Barrett, Millis,
MA; 18. Dylan Rock, Enfield, NH; 19. Sal Accardi,
Jr., Deer Park, NY; 20. Brian Robie, Sunapee, NH; 21
Max Zachem, Preston, CT.
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Source:
Dale Wolbrink / Tri-Track Open Modified Series
Posted:
August 24, 2017 |
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