7/6/2025
Race of Champions
“BIG MONEY” MATT HIRSCHMAN TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH ROCKET 76’ER VICTORY AT EVANS MILLS RACEWAY PARK
– Mancuso and Connolly Capture Wins in Freedom Showdown at Lake Erie Speedway –
“Big Money” Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, continued his dominant summer run, powering to victory in the Rocket 76’er presented by Bob Johnson Auto Group and NAPA Auto Parts this past Saturday at Evans Mills Raceway Park in a Race of Champions Modified Series showdown.
Hirschman, who rolled off 7th on the grid, methodically worked his way to the front, making the winning move on Mike Leaty of Williamson, NY, just after the halfway mark of the 76-lap feature. It marked Hirschman’s second consecutive Rocket 76’er victory at the North Country oval.
“This is such a great facility,” Hirschman said in victory lane. “We’ve been fortunate here. The car was really good all day. Mike (Leaty) was strong and I wasn’t sure if we went early enough. Andy (Jankowiak) and Austin (Beers) were right there too. I’m just thankful for everyone — our crew, our sponsors — winning these races always means a lot.”
Austin Beers, also of Northampton, PA, drove from 5th to finish 2nd, while Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, NY, rounded out the podium in 3rd. Leaty and Austin Kochenash of Danielsville, PA, completed the top five.
Hirschman and Beers claimed wins in their respective qualifying races, with Hirschman also setting the fastest time in green-white-checker qualifying.
FREEDOM SHOWDOWN RECAP – LAKE ERIE SPEEDWAY
Over at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, PA, Joe Mancuso captured the Race of Champions Late Model Series victory during the Freedom Showdown, holding off Scott Wylie of Blasdell, NY, and Mike Sweeney of Nesquehoning, PA. Eldon King III of Freedom, NY, and Jacob Gustafson of Webster, NY, rounded out the top-five.
In the Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series, Trisha Connolly of Palmerton, PA, prevailed in a hard-fought battle with Chris Deyoe of East Otto, NY, to secure the win. Hunter McKay of Depew, NY, finished third in the competitive feature.
?? Unofficial full results from the Rocket 76’er presented by Bob Johnson Auto Group and NAPA Auto Parts:
?? www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/543984
?? Unofficial full results from the Freedom Showdown at Lake Erie Speedway:
?? www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/560586
UP NEXT:
Friday, July 11 –
?? 35th Annual Tribute to Tommy Druar & Tony Jankowiak 110
?? Race of Champions Modified Series at Spencer Speedway (Williamson, NY)
About the Race of Champions:
The Race of Champions is a premier sanctioning body for Modified and Stock Car racing on both asphalt and dirt across the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Key partners include Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tire, Racing America, Airport Collision, Rocket Performance, Waddell Communications, Image X Design, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com, and Speed Sport. The 75th Annual Race of Champions Weekend, one of the longest-running motorsport traditions in North America, will take place later this season.
For more information, contact;
Race of Champions Media at media@rocmodifiedseries.com
Follow us on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook; @RoCModSeries or visit our website: www.rocmodifiedseries.com
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