MATT HIRSCHMAN RUNS TO VICTORY IN TRIBUTE TO “POPS” LEATY 75 THIS PAST FRIDAY AT SPENCER SPEEDWAY

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MATT HIRSCHMAN RUNS TO VICTORY IN TRIBUTE TO “POPS” LEATY 75 THIS PAST FRIDAY AT SPENCER SPEEDWAY

Story By: Race of Champions

Photos By: Mark Ranalletta/RacersGuide.com

Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa, redrew 12th and drove to his third victory of the 2018 season in Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series competition. Hirschman’s last victory came at Chemung Speedrome on August 4th, which was the 43rd of his Race of Champions career.

Hirschman had to work through a stellar field, taking the lead from Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., of competitors to capture the victory.

“We made a late decision to come here, it takes a lot to be prepared and have the crew to help and put it all together, but I’m sure happy we did tonight,” stated Hirschman in victory lane. “I knew I didn’t have time to wait so I was pretty aggressive getting to the front and things just seemed work out with the lanes and how it went. It was a great night and a great tribute to Pops Leaty, I’m glad we were here to put it together and get to victory lane.”

Mike Leaty of Williamson, N.Y., drew the pole and led the field to the green flanked by Eric Beers of Northampton, Pa., with Leaty moving to the top spot first the 24 circuits before being passed by Preece, who was making a rare Race of Champions appearance. Preece took over the top spot for a few laps before Hirschman worked his way by.

Preece mounted several challenges but had to settle for second.

Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, N.Y., finished third with Leaty claiming fourth.

Daryl Lewis, Jr., of Ontario, N.Y., rounded out the top-five with his sixth top-five finish of the season.

Hirschman earned the Speed51.com “Top of the Board” Award with a fast lap of 18.687 seconds (96.324 mph).

Preece, Leaty and Lewis won the qualifying races.

Tyler Catalano of Ontario, N.Y., won the Race of Champions Four Cylinder Dash Series event. Catalano, who started second, took the early lead and never let it go to earn his first series victory.

Travis Montgomery of Ontario, N.Y., finished second. Austin Montgomery of Ontario, N.Y., finished third.

Jody London of Rochester, N.Y., had an accident with his primary car and drove a car that was loaned to him by another competitor to a fourth place finish. Allison Montgomery of Ontario, N.Y., rounded out the top-five.

Brian Hoffman of South Wales, N.Y., captured the Street Stock race over Rich Sharpe of Depew, N.Y., and Andy Cryan of Buffalo, N.Y., who finished third.

The Race of Champions is a sanctioning body presenting Modified and Stock Car racing on asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with primary marketing partners Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, US Army, Upstate Automotive Group, Waddell Communications, Pilat Graphic Design, Jerico Performance, TDH Refrigeration, Sherwood Racing Wheels, PavedTrackDigest.com and Speed51.com. The 68th annual Race of Champions weekend will take place in 2018 at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pennsylvania and is the second longest consecutive auto-racing event in North America, second only to the Indianapolis 500.

For more information, contact;

Race of Champions Media at media@rocmodifiedseries.com

Feature Finish

Tribute to “Pops” Leaty (75-laps)

Spencer Speedway, Williamson, N.Y.

Finishing Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)

Finish Starting Position No. Name Laps

1 12 60 Matt Hirschman 75

2 8 6 Ryan Preece

3 10 07 Patrick Emerling

4 1 25 Mike Leaty

5 7 10 Daryl Lewis, Jr.