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HIRSCHMAN
DOMINATES FOR LUCRATIVE TTOMS OPEN WHEEL WEDNESDAY VICTORY
AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY |
 “Big
Money” Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, lived up
to his nickname on Wednesday night claiming victory
in the 100-lap Open Wheel Wednesday Tri-Track Open
Modified Series (TTOMS) event and the $10,000
winner’s share. It could be considered an
uncharacteristic win for Hirschman. Known to
conserve tires for a dash to the checkers in the
late stages of an event, Hirschman took the lead
early from polesitter Justin Bonsignore and went on
to lead the remaining 98 laps. The victory was
Hirschman’s third in the Open Wheel Wednesday event,
tying Doug Coby for the most wins in the event’s now
13 year history.
Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, MA, and Rowan Pennink
of Huntingdon Valley, PA, scored podium finishes as
well. Anthony Nocella of Woburn, MA and Tommy
Barrett of Millis, MA, a former winner of this
event, completed the top five.
This was the first event for the Tri-Track Open
Modified Series under the new management.
“We would like to thank Seekonk Speedway and the
competitors,” said Wayne Darling, Managing Partner
of the Tri-Track Open Modified Series. “The show
went off without a hitch thanks to the
professionalism of all involved. And, we have to
thank the fans for coming out to support this event.
There was a great crowd on hand and I think our guys
put on a great show for them. Last, but certainly
not least, our appreciation to Jim Schaefer and Dick
Williams for their continued work to make this
series a racer’s race.”
A total of 33 teams who regularly compete on the
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Race of Champions,
Modified Racing Series and a handful of independent
runners, vied for one of the 26 starting spots.
Qualifying heat race wins went to Barrett, Nocella,
Eric Berndt, and Hirschman. The b-main was won by
Richard Savary. Those that failed to qualify
included Kyle James, Carl Medeiros Jr., Calvin
Carroll, Andy Jankowiak, TJ Bleau, Rob Summers and
Karey Stular. The biggest heartbreak had to be for
Stular, a Canadian driver, who towed in after
several days of travel from Edmonton to compete.
After the redraw, Justin Bonsignore and Jon Kievman
led the field of 26 Modifieds to green. Hirschman
jumped into the second spot to take immediate chase
of Bonsignore. Anthony Nocella made in three wide on
lap two with Kievman and Eric Berndt. Contact
resulted further back in the pack; collecting Coby
and Mike Douglas Jr. to bring out the event’s first
caution. Coby and Douglas retired from the event.
On the restart Hirschman got the jump on Bonsignore
to take over the top spot. Berndt was able to get
around, Kievman. Ron Silk went to the outside with
Tommy Barrett in tow looking for running room around
Kievman; to no avail as the second caution flew for
an incident involving former event winner Savary and
Blake Barney. Under the caution Kievman went
pit-side and did not return.
It was more of the same following the lap eight
restart with Hirschman taking the lead over
Bonsignore. Berndt settled back into the third
position but with heavy pressure from Silk. Silk
made the outside groove work to take over third.
Berndt continued to back-slide in the outside lane
losing positions to Barrett and McKennedy and
dragging Nocella back as well.
On lap 15, Silk was able to take over second from
Bonsignore; bringing Barrett along for the ride.
McKennedy and Pennink also made quick work of
Bonsignore. Nocella lost the handle on his #92 on
lap 20 to bring out the third caution. Contact
further back in the field collected Jeff Rocco,
Chris Pasteryak, Earl Paules, and Eric Goodale.
While Nocella was able to continue unscathed,
Rocco’s 13x came off the track on the hook.
Pasteryak and Goodale were also out for the night.
Hirschman once again grabbed the top spot under
green. A heated battle for third position between
Barrett, McKennedy and Pennink cooled when the
fourth caution flew on lap 21 for a single car spin
by Paules. Back under green, out front Hirschman was
chased by Silk. The battle for third was once again
heating up. Deeper in the pack, Bonsignore had his
hands full with Ryan Preece.
Hirschman, Silk and McKennedy enjoyed a three car
breakaway at the front as Barrett and Pennink duked
it out for fourth. Lap-after-lap Pennink hounded
Barrett. Preece had a few car lengths advantage over
a renewed battle with Nocella, Bonsignore and now
another former event winner, Todd Annarummo.
On lap 39 an incident between Dwight Jarvis and
Dennis Perry brought out the event’s fifth caution.
Under the caution both Bonsignore and Annarummo
ducked into the pits for service. Once again, it was
all Hirschman on the restart. McKennedy was nearly
able to grab the second spot from Silk with an
inside move but settle back in line in third. He
immediately came under fire from Barrett, who
ultimately grabbed the third from McKennedy.
The sixth and final caution flew on lap 41 for a
single car spin by Kurt Vigeant. With Hirschman at
the point, Barrett stole second from Silk. Pennink
made his way to fourth relegating McKennedy to
fifth. On the outside, McKennedy now had to contend
with Nocella. A strong battle was brewing with
Hinckley and Preece for seventh. McKennedy cleared
Nocella while Silk got back by Barrett.
At halfway, Hirschman led Silk, Barrett, Pennink,
McKennedy, Nocella, Preece, Hinckley, Barney and
Hossfeld inside the top-ten.
Just a few laps later, both Pennink and McKennedy
were able to get by Barrett. Hirschman maintained a
slight lead over Silk, who had persistent pressure
from both Pennink and McKennedy. Silk appeared to be
holding up his rivals; allowing Hirschman to pull
away.
Pennink dove low and took second from Silk on lap
67. McKennedy immediately went to work on Silk as
well. The two went wheel-to-wheel for several laps
before Silk finally relinquished the position.
Nocella stormed by Silk, who settled into fifth.
During the extended green flag run, the top ten ran
in a tight line. Hirschman led Pennink, McKennedy,
Nocella, Barrett and Silk. Preece began to apply
pressure to Silk, who was struggling to keep his car
on the bottom groove. Meanwhile, Hirschman entered
lapped traffic. He was able to gain some distance on
the field despite the traffic.
McKennedy got right on the bumper of Pennink,
looking to Pennink’s inside on lap 88 but settled
back in line. Nocella ran alone in fourth and
Barrett was a comfortable distance in fifth.
McKennedy was able to make the pass stick on Pennink
on lap 92 to take over the second position. He
immediately took chase of leader Hirschman. While
cutting down the distance slightly, Hirschman
cruised to victory over McKennedy. Pennink, Nocella
and Barrett rounded out the top-five. Sixth through
tenth position were secured by Hinckley, Preece,
Annarummo, Pitkat and Barney.
Next up for the Tri-Track Open Modified Series is
the Summer Bash at Star Speedway in Epping, NH, on
Saturday July 29. For more information visit
tritrackmods.com. Be sure to like the series on
Facebook, NorthEast Race Cars Tri Track Open
Modified Series or @tritrackmods.
TTOMS Feature Race (100 Laps) Official Finish:
1. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA (100); 2. Jon
McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA (100); 3. Rowan Pennink,
Huntington Valley, PA (100); 4. Anthony Nocella,
Woburn, MA (100); 5. Tommy Barrett, Millis, MA
(100); 6. Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT (100); 7.
Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT (100); 8. Todd Annarummo,
Swansea, MA (100); 9. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT
(100); 10. Blake Barney, Lakewood, NJ (100); 11. Ron
Silk, Norwalk, CT (100); 12. Eric Berndt, Cromwell,
CT (100); 13. Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, NY
(100); 14. Earl Paules, Palmerton, PA (99); 15.
Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, NY (99); 16. Bobby
Santos, Franklin, MA (99); 17. Dennis Perry, Ashaway,
RI (81); 18. Kurt Vigeant, Oxford, MA (41); 19.
Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT (28); 20. Eric Goodale,
Calverton, NY (20); 21. Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT
(20); 22. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford, CT (20); 23.
Richard Savary, Canton, MA (20); 24. Jon Kievman
Deerfield Beach, FL (8); 25. Doug Coby, Milford, CT
(2); 26. Michael Douglas Jr., Auburn, NH (2).
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Source:
Dale Wolbrink / Tri-Track Open Modified Series
Posted:
June 29, 2017 |
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