LEHIGHTON, Pa. — Matt Hirschman reigned victorious at Mahoning Valley Speedway to win a record payout on Sunday.
Aftering scoring his 11th win of the season, Hirschman’s victory earned him $7,000, and with additional bonuses finished off the day with just over $10,000 in total cash.
Hirschman started 10th, and on lap 63 moved to the front for the first time with an inside pass on Blake Barney. Afterwards, he withstood strong challenges from Barney, Bobby Jones and Chuck Hossfeld to win the Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150.
With 50 laps to go, Hirschman opted to make a pit stop under a caution and change his right side tires. When he returned to the track he was ninth, and over the next 17 laps, Hirschman put on a driving clinic as he passed one car after another until regaining the top spot from Hossfeld.
The rest of the way, Hirschman ruled the road as he took the checkers over Barney by a solid two car lengths.
“It was a long race and glad to finish it up at the top,” Hirschman said. “This is the highest paying race we ever had here and you don’t know when or if that will ever happen again and I appreciate doing this in honor of Tom Wanick Jr., and for what his family and the speedway did for all of us.
“This is a special win for sure with Tommy (Wanick III) wanting to do this race for his dad.”
The race got off to a great start with Don Wagner leading the first few laps before Barney, the previous night winner at Wall Stadium Speedway, took charge.
Tagging in behind him was Rod Snyder Jr., and T.J. Potrzebowski. That trio ran in that order until lap 40 when Hossfeld stepped up to third. The first caution waved for a Josh Scherer spin shortly after.
That would trigger a string of yellow flags, which then saw a brief shower cross over the track.
“I had no problem navigating the traffic there was just way to many caution laps and I was kind of losing my mind because we kept stopping and I just wanted to get a rhythm going with some green flag laps,” said Hirschman. “Plus with the rain coming down it was kind of a frustrating race a little bit but winning makes up for all that.”
When Hirschman pitted under a lap 100 caution, it allowed Hossfeld to assume the lead. Earl Paules was now second after Barney and Jones had pitted a few laps prior to the century mark.
With Hirschman out of the picture for the time being, Hossfeld was setting a good pace while fending off Paules.
After reentering the track with fresh rubber Hirschman was putting on a rapid charge and passing at will. His race-winning pass came with an inside move off turn four over Hossfeld, and once in front there was no denying his authority.
“Matt (Hirschman) is a great guy and I call him almost daily,” said Tom Wanick Jr. “His dad Tony was my dad’s favorite driver and Matt is a great a great racer.”
It was Hirschman’s 29th Mahoning win and ninth consecutive victory in as many starts here.
Barney, the runner-up finisher had his best finish at Mahoning. He stayed in the hunt from the drop of the green and only fell back after pit stops. But, each time he returned the car was quick and he came just one spot short of sweeping the weekend.
“I really enjoy this place and I had a really good race car and was fortunate enough to have a good starting spot in second,” said Barney. “I took the lead early and tried to do what he (Hirschman) does and pace the race.
“I lost a little drive there at the end and I really wish I could have gave the 60 a run. I thought I had good pace and our car felt good. We went 100 laps on the same tires and when we came in that last time and it woke the thing up.”
Paules was a solid third with Hossfeld fourth and Brian DeFebo fifth.
In the Street Stock feature, Cody Geist parlayed his pole starting spot into his first win of the season.
Corey Edelman won his second straight Hobby Stock feature, and for the second time had to fend off Shayne Geist in the process.
The Finish:
Feature (150 laps): 1. Matt Hirschman, 2. Blake Barney, 3. Earl Paules, 4. Chuck Hossfeld, 5. Brian DeFebo, 6. Anthony Bello, 7. Josh Scherer, 8. Bobby Jones, 9. Chris Ammon, 10. Rod Snyder Jr., 11. Tom Wanick III, 12. Jaden Brown, 13. Brandon Oltra, 14. Sean Verwys, 15. Anthony Sesely, 16. Austin Kochenash, 17. Paulie Hartwig III, 18. Kyle Strohl, 19. Roger Coss, 20. T.J. Potrzebowski, 21. Cody Kohler, 22. Ron Silk, 23. Zane Zeiner, 24. Nick Baer, 25. Don Wagner, 26. Mike Hosier, 27. Geary Rinehimer Jr., 28. Lou Strohl DNQ: Terry Markovic, Carl Altemose, Johnny Bennett, Chris Risdale, Jacob Kerstetter