Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, drove to his second
straight John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout victory
in front of a record crowd at Concord Motorsport Park on
Saturday night. Hirschman joins the race’s namesake John Blewett
III as a two-time winner. Pit strategy played a role in Matt
Hirschman’s win, who short pitted and went the distance on
tires. Neighbor Eric Beers, also of Northampton, PA, continued
his string of strong Shootout runs with a runner-up finish.
Bobby Santos of Franklin, MA, completed the podium.
It was a healthy payday for Hirschman who took home a grand
total of $12,480 in cash and contingencies including the $6,000
winners take and $4,930 in lap sponsorship money after leading
73 laps and never running outside of the top-three.
In what could be considered an upset, A.J. Russell
meticulously worked his way through the field to put his name in
the record books as the winner of the inaugural Wirtgen America
East-West Supermodified Shootout. Russell of Clovis, CA, went
coast-to-coast to claim the victory and $5,660 in cash and
prizes. The take for Russell included the $3,800 purse plus
$1,410 in lap money.
It was an emotional victory for Jimmy Blewett of Howell, NJ,
who took home top honors and $3,540 in cash and prizes in the
SK-Type Modified main event. Blewett was in the right place at
the right time during the 50-lapper; inheriting the top spot
after the leaders tangled just after halfway. He went on to lead
the remaining 22 laps to take down the popular win. Blewett’s
winnings included the $2,100 purse and $890 in lap money.
For the second straight year, Carl Pasteryak of Lisbon, CT,
scored a commanding victory in the 25-lap Modified
Non-Qualifiers main event. In a show of Sportsmanship, Pasteryak
donated his winnings to the John W. Blewett Scholarship Fund. In
support division action, Glen Reen Wilbraham, MA, scored the
victory in the Crate SK-Type Modified Division while Randy
Freeze, of Salisbury, NC was tops in the Four-Cylinders. Vintage
Modified honors went to Randy Smith, Bassett, VA. Johnny Johnson
of Tobaccoville, NC, was the Vintage Flathead winner.
An emotional ceremony honoring John Blewett III signified the
commencement of the North-South Shootout main event. With the
entire Blewett Family on hand for the tribute, John IV, the
eight-year old son of the late Blewett, took over announcing
duties during opening pre-race ceremonies to introduce pole
sitter Uncle Jimmy. The call to fire engines was also given by
young Blewett.
Hirschman got the jump from his outside pole position to lead
the opening lap, leaving Blewett to fend off the challenges of
Erick Rudolph. The youngster was able to take the position away
to take chase of Hirschman. During the initial green flag run
the cars to watch were Southern hopeful Burt Myers and Chuck
Hossfeld.
The top three of Hirschman, Rudolph, and Blewett had begun to
distance themselves from the pack. Blewett began to get racy
with Rudolph but could not muster up a pass. With a quarter of
the race quickly flying by Pete Brittain and Eric Beers ran just
outside of the top-five.
Lapped traffic began to play a role as Hirschman enjoyed some
breathing room over Rudolph and Blewett in traffic. Burt Myers
had the best seat in the house in fourth while the two battled
for position. On lap28, Blewett regained the second position.
The first caution of the event flew on lap 32 when Jason
Myers spun in the dog leg. During the caution period most of the
pack headed to pit road for the mandatory pit stop including
Hirschman, Blewett, Rudolph, and Hossfeld. A total of 27 cars
went down pit road. The strategies varied, while some teams
opted to change tires many only jacked up the car as required.
After pit stops only the #40 of Ryan Preece, who did not pit,
stood in the way of Hirschman and the lead. The running order on
the restart pitted Preece against Hirschman. Brittain, Beers,
and Blewett rounded out the top five. Under race conditions,
Santos was beginning his march to the front. He took a position
from Burt Myers and quickly took chase of Blewett.
Young Preece continued to show the way over Hirschman in
second, Beers, Brittain, and now Santos. The lead continued to
grow as Preece distanced himself from Hirschman. Beers, with
Santos in tow, began to reel in second-running Hirschman.
The yellow flew for the second time on lap 58 for an
altercation on the front stretch that involved Brittain, Ronnie
Silk, Bobby Grigas and Darren Scherer. Preece relinquished the
lead to Hirschman to make his mandatory pit stop. Christopher
followed Preece down pit road. Immediately after rejoining the
field for the restart, the #36 of Ted Christopher lost a power
steering pump leaving fluid on the track and extending the
caution.
When racing resumed, Hirschman was back at the helm. Beers
had worked his way up to second followed by Santos, and Blewett.
A stretch of green flag action was halted when the #44 of Rick
Kluth left a large trail of fluid on the track to bring out the
caution at lap 73. Myers ducked down pit road during the caution
to take on tires during his mandatory stop. After extensive
cleanup under red flag conditions it was still Hirschman in
control.
It was status quo at the front of the pack while Hossfeld was
locked in a heated battle with Civali. Not to be denied, Civali
grabbed the position away. He set his sites on Lia, now running
in fifth. Contact between the two caused a chain reaction that
sent Szegedy spinning to bring out the fourth caution at lap 76.
The gains that Civali had made under the previous green flag
run were lost when racing resumed. Hossfeld got under Civali
while Lia used the high-side around the #28. A spin by Les
Hinckley had the yellow waving for the fifth time on lap 82.
Hirschman continued to set the pace; showing the way over
Beers, Santos, Blewett, and Hossfeld inside the top five.
Hossfeld saw his good finish go by the wayside after contact
with Blewett sent him spinning in turn four to bring out the
sixth and final caution on lap 84.
The final dash to the checkers was an exciting one as the top
three of Hirschman, Beers and Santos ran in a tight pack. Santos
looked to use the high groove on Beers and than the low groove
trying to get the second spot from Beers. Beers held back on
challenges from Santos and had one of his own for Hirschman. But
Hirschman would not be denied en route to his second straight
victory.
It was a happy occasion in victory lane as the crew and
family of Hirschman celebrated the victory. In addition to his
prize money, Hirschman received a custom-painted shotgun by
Indocil Art and Design courtesy of C&C Racing Promotions along
with a beautifully crafted trophy by Hayes Jewelers. Pro-System,
Inc. also presented Hirschman with $500. The elder Hirschman,
father Tony, once again, had to visit victory lane as a proud
father. Personal issues prevented car owners Bob and Tom Kehley
from making the trip to the Shootout.
Ronnie Silk was presented the John Blewett III Memorial Hard
Charger Award from the Blewett Family along with $100. Other
prizes for the Hard-Charger included free plumbing from Brown &
Miller and $500 from an anonymous fan’s sponsorship.
Relative newcomer to the Supermodified ranks, A.J. Russell
beat the best of the best in the Wirtgen America East-West
Supermodified Shootout. Using what his fellow competitors tagged
a magnificent line, Russell took the lead one lap after halfway
from veteran Doug Didero than held off reigning International
Supermodified Association champion Chris Perley to claim the
victory.
The inaugural Wirtgen East-West Supermodified Shootout was
led to green with Rich Reid and Scott Martel showing the way.
Martel took the initial lead but the yellow flew immediately
when several cars tangled on the start. Californian Martin
McKeefery was the worse for the wear with his # 27 into the
wall.
Rich Reid took up the lead on the restart with several more
yellows flying within the first six laps. Claimed in incidents
were the likes of Rob Summers, Kelly Miller, Jim Shirey, Larry
Lehnert, Rich Castor, Bob Dalton, Bob Dawson and Lou Cicconi,
When things finally settled down, Reid began to pull away from
Doug Didero, Brad Noffsinger, Charlie Shultz, Timmy Jedrzejek
and Martel as green prevailed. The yellow flew again on lap 15
when 62-year old Colorado driver Harry Stone met with the wall.
It was Reid, Didero, Schultz, Noffsinger and now Russell on
the restart. Timmy J began to fade with motor problems. Didero
made his move passing Reid for the lead on lap 20 with Schultz
in tow. Outside of the top-three, Perley was methodically
working his way toward the front.
Russell, now solidly inside the top three, searched for more.
From second on lap 20, Russell was the new leader on lap 26.
Shortly after losing the lead, Didero was forced pitside with
mechanical failure; relinquishing the second position.
The leader, Russell, had Schultz and Perley in tow while Reid,
Mike Ordway Jr., Noffsinger and Mike Lichty trailed the top
trio. The caution flew on lap 34 to cool the action when Joe
Gosek's 00 slowed in turn one. On the restart, Perley made quick
work of Schultz for second and set sail for Russell. Before he
could muster up any real challenge, the caution flew, when the
west coast car of Jim Birges made hard contact with the wall on
lap 36 to bring out the final yellow flag.
The final 14 laps of the race went green with Perley throwing
every move at Russell. The youngster proved to be the class of
the field holding off Perley for the victory. Schultz completed
the podium. Dale Lamborn crossed the line fourth; but was
penalized for jumping the start. Officially Mike Lichty and Rich
Reid rounded out the top five.
The Wirtgen America East-West Supermodified was intended to
showcase the talent of the entire Supermodified Racing
community. It was mission accomplished as the podium finishers
were representative of three different racing organizations.
In SK-Type Modified Racing action, it fittingly was Jimmy
Blewett who scored the victory in the caution-laden 50-lapper.
The emotional ceremony included the presentation of an Indocil
Art and Design custom-painted helmet courtesy of C&C Racing
Promotions. Now Jimmy, like his brother had done before him, can
wear his North-South Shootout winner’s helmet with pride.
The early going featured a torrid battle between rivals
Pitkat and Keith Rocco. Pitkat had easily assumed the lead over
Doug Coby at the start of the event; however, a pair of quick
early cautions found Rocco in contention. The third caution of
the event flew on lap 12 and eliminated several potential
contenders including Kerry Malone, Kenny Horton, and Rick Kluth.
When racing resumed it was again Pitkat holding off Rocco. The
battle intensified with the race at speed. Thompson Sunoco
Modified champion Rocco was glued to the bumper of Pitkat.
Rocco dove low on lap 14 in an attempt to get the lead but a
slip allowed Pitkat a bit of breathing room and nearly opened
the door for a charging Ted Christopher. Pitkat had started to
stretch his lead when the yellow flew once again on lap 20 when
Shaun Carrig and Richie Evans, Jr. got together on the
frontstretch.
After the ensuing restart, the best battled on the track was
for the third position between Christopher and Blewett. On lap
21, Blewett had taken over the position and headed for Rocco. At
the halfway marker it was Pitkat showing the way over Rocco,
Blewett, Christopher and Jeff Malave inside the top five.
Rocco was set to strike after halfway. A bold move to the
inside of Pitkat made Rocco the new leader on lap 26. His reign
was short-lived though as contact with Pitkat sent the leader
spinning. Pitkat was sent to the tail of the field for his
actions. Blewett was the new leader when the racing went back to
green on lap 28. The running order found Malave, Tommy Farrell
III and Waterford Speedbowl SK Modified champion Rob Janovic
inside the top five.
It was not clear sailing for Blewett at the head of the pack.
He immediately came under fire from Christopher. On lap 30,
Christopher used the bottom groove to make his move around
Blewett to take over the top spot. Blewett, however, battled
back. He was able to dive low under Christopher on lap 32. The
two made contact; resulting in a spin by Christopher. The yellow
flew immediately. On the restart, Blewett was again the leader,
this time with Farrell lined up on his bumper followed by Malave,
Janovic, and now Steven Reed. Meanwhile both Rocco and Pitkat
were making tracks back to the front. When racing resumed
Blewett was able to gain a sizeable advantage over Farrell as he
has his hands full with Malave.
The second attempt at lap 32 was halted when early leader
Pitkat came to rest in turn four with a flat tire. When the lap
was finally recorded, Blewett was again gaining ground at the
head of the thinning field. He had a ten-car length advantage on
Farrell. Rocco was back inside the top ten and looking for more.
The battle for the fourth had begun to heat up between Janovic
and Reed. Despite great efforts by Reed, Janovic was able to
maintain his position.
Rocco saw his bid for a win come to an end in a scary looking
crash in the dog leg to bring out the event’s tenth caution. His
#6 road the wall for nearly 100 yards with the crowd clearly
seeing the number on his roof.
With attrition claiming half of the field, the race resumed
on lap 40 with Blewett leading Farrell, Malave, Janovic, and
Reed. A fully recovered Christopher lurked just outside the top
five. Blewett, again, was easily able to pull away from Farrell
on the restart.
With only ten laps remaining, Christopher was on a mission.
He started his methodical march back to the front; breaking into
the top five on lap 42. He grabbed fourth from Janovic on lap 43
and the third position from Malave. The event’s final caution
was a temporary stay for Farrell. Christopher was back in the
second position before the completion of lap 45. Blewett had
moved out to a five car length advantage. Christopher’s black
and green #81 loomed larger and larger in Blewett’s mirror with
each passing lap. Christopher had run out of time and Blewett
had won the SK-Type Modified portion of the 5th Annual John
Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout presented by Town &
Country Ford by less than a car length. Christopher had to
settle for second over Farrell, Malave, and Janovic.
Tommy Farrell was presented with the RH2Way SK-Bonus of $500
as the highest finishing competitor running only the SK-Type
main event. Woody Pitkat was presented with the DMC Auto
Exchange Pole Award. Dave Flammia, Jr, making only his first
start in an SK-Type Modified was presented the John Blewett III
Memorial Hard-Charger Award.
There was another repeat winner in Shootout competition.
Ironically, this winner also hails from Mudd Lane in
Northampton, PA. Austin Beers, son of Mod runner-up Eric Beers,
successfully defended his “Little Shootout” peddle car title.
Bragging rights go to the younger Beers at this week’s dinner
table.
The checkered flag flew on another successful North-South
Shootout with a record number of fans gathering at Concord
Motorsport Park for the action-packed excitement of an emotional
weekend of racing. The 5th Annual John Blewett III Memorial
North-South Shootout presented by Town & Country Ford featuring
the East-West Supermodified Shootout lived up to it’s
reputation.
North-South Shootoutand the East-West Supermodified Shootout are
trademarks of C&C Racing Promotions.
5th Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout
presented by Town & Country Ford (100 laps): 1. Matt
Hirschman, Northampton, PA (100); 2. Eric Beers, Northampton, PA
(100); 3. Bobby Santos, Franklin, MA (100); 4. Burt Myers,
Walnut Cove, NC; (100); 5. Donny Lia, Jericho, NY (100); 6. Eric
Rudolph, Ransomville, NY (100); 7. Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks,
CT (100); 8. Dale Quaterley, Westfield, MA (100); 9. Woody
Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT (100); 10. Ryan Preece, Kensington,
CT (100); 11. Pete Brittain, Oakhurst, NJ (100); 12. Brian Pack,
Walkertown, NC (100); 13. Johnny Bush, Huntington Station,
NY(100); 14. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT(100) 15. Jimmy Blewett,
Howell, NJ(100) 16. Jamie Tomaino, Howell, NJ(100) 17. Chuck
Hossfeld, Ransomville, NY(100) 18. Billy Pauch, Frenchtown,
NJ(100) 19. Charlie Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT(100) 20. Brian King,
Gibsonville, NC(100) 21. Darren Scherer, Binghampton, NY99) 22.
Gene Pack, Walkertown, NC(99) 23. Andy Suess, Hampstead, NH(99)
24. Ken Wooley, Jr.,Brick,NJ(99) 25. Frank Fleming, Mt.
Airy,NC(98) 26. Randy Butner, Pfafftown, NC(94) 27. James Civali,
Meriden, CT(83) 28. Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, CT(76) 29. Rick
Kluth, Brockport, NY(73) 30. Jason Myers, Walnut Cove, NC(68)
31. Bobby Grigas, Marshfield, MA(58) 32. Ted Christopher,
Plainville, CT(58) 33. Josh Nichols. Cleveland, NC(51)
Modified Non-Qualifiers Feature Event Finish (25-Laps):
1. Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; 2. Rich Kuiken, Jr.,
Staffordville, NJ; 3. Johnny Sutton, Harrisburg, NC; 4. Chris
Whitenight, Jr., Berwick, PA; 5. Brandon Hire, Winston-Salem,
NC; 6. Jay Mize, Clemmons, NC; 7. Greg Butcher; 8. John Manno,
Sherrills Ford, NC; 9. Ken Heagy, Mocksville, NC; DNS-Rowan
Pennink, Huntington Valley, PA; DNS-JR Bertuccio, Centereach,
NY; DNS-Jay Hedgecock, High Point, NC; DNS-Brian Loftin,
Lexington, NC.
Wirtgen America East-West Supermodified Feature Finish
(50-Laps): 1. A.J. Russell, Clovis, CA; 2. Chris Perley,
Rowley, MA; 3. Charlie Schultz, Lorain, OH; 4. Mike Litchey,
Innerkip, Ontario; 5. Rich Reid, New London, OH; 6. Dale Lamborn,
Carson City, NV; 7. Mike Ordway, Jr., Fremont, NH; 8. Mark
Sammut, London, ONT, 9. Scott Martel, Bradford, MA; 10. Brad
Noffsinger, Concord, NC; 11. Joey Payne, Jr., Fairlawn, NJ; 12.
Ray Graham, Jr., Ankeny, OH, 13. John Torrese, Miami, FL; 14.
Brandon Bellinger, Fulton, NY; 15. Ernie Coppo, Jr., Fresno, CA;
16. Justin Belfoire, Ipswich, MA; 17. Moe Lilje, Middleburg
Heights, OH; 18. Jim Birges, Fresno, CA; 19. Joe Gosek, Oswego,
NY; 20. Howie Page, Mexico, NY; 21. Sean Sauer, Wellington, OH;
22. Doug Didero, Moorseville, NC; 23. Tim Jedrezejek,
Independence, OH; 24. Harry Stone, Bloomfield, CO; 25. Rob
Summers, Jr., Vernon, CT; 26. Lou Cicconi, Jr., Aston, PA; 27.
Bobby Dawson, S. Amherst, OH; 28. Bobby Dalton, San Martin, CA;
29. Jim Shirey, Oberlin, OH; 30. Rich Castor, Bennett, CO; 31.
Larry Lehner, New London, OH; 32. Kelly Miller, Mexico, NY; 33.
Brandon Fisher, Amherst, OH; 34. Martin McKeefery, Milpitas, CA.
SK-Type Modified Feature Finish (50-Laps): 1. Jimmy
Blewett, Howell, NJ; 2. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 3.
Tommy Farrell III, Neptune, NJ; 4. Jeff Malave, S. Windsor, CT;
5. Rob Janovic, Waterford, CT; 6. Joe Lemay, Millville, MA; 7.
Steven Reed, Freehold, NJ; 8. Donnie Fowler, Clinton, CT; 9.
Glenn Griswold, Vernon, CT; 10. Rick Kluth, Brockport, NY; 11.
Sherri Hogan, Belwood, Ont,; 12. Dave Flammia, Jr., Waterbury,
CT; 13. Tony Hanbury, Owego, NY; 14. Patti Pruitt, Oswego, NY;
15. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 16. Rob Summers, Vernon, CT;
17. Jeff Ruddy, Caledonio, ONT; 18. Dave Cranmer, N. Hanover,
NJ; 19. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 20. Doug Coby,
Milford, CT; 21. Shaun Carrig, Little Falls, NJ; 22. Richie
Evans, Jr., Charlotte, NC; 23. Josh Steeves, Webster, MA; 24.
Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 25. Kenny Horton, New Haven, CT; 26.
J.R. Roth, Jim Thorpe, PA; 27. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; DNS
Richard Knapp.
Crate SK-Modified Feature Finish (30-laps): 1. Glen
Reen, Wilbraham, MA; 2. Chris Matthews, Stafford Springs, CT; 3.
Robert Geibel, Brick, NJ; 4. Marc Nappi, Howell, NJ; 5. Gary
Young, Jr., Burlington, NC; 6. Scott Riggleman, Manchester, NJ.
Four-Cylinder Feature Finish (30-Laps): 1. Randy
Freeze, Salisbury, NC; 2. A.J. Sanders, Mocksville, NC; 3.
Michael Brown, Advance, NC; 4. Tony Black, Lexington, NC; 5.
Andrew Sanders, Mocksville, NC; 6. Tracy Mullis (FWD), Indian
Trail, NC; 7. Steve Truell, Winston-Salem, NC; 8. Ronnie Kinney,
Lexington, NC; 9. Chad Miller (FWD), Concord, NC; 10. John Davis
(FWD), Lexington, NC; 11. Debbie Hickman (FWD); 12. Ben Brown,
Westfield, NC; 13. Billy Cameron, Jr., Salibury, NC; DNS-Michael
Barr, Concord, NC; John Davis, Lexington, NC; Chris Gordon,
Concord, NC
Vintage Modified Feature Finish (25-Laps): 1. Randy
Smith, Bassett, VA; 2. Darrel Lacks, Goode, VA; 3. Brian Janik,
Russell, MA; 4. Dan Meservey, W. Chatham, MA; 5. Kenneth Deese,
Monroe, NC; 6. Anthony Colosimo, Red Bank, NJ; 7. Johnny
Gregory, Rural Hall, NC; 8. Tracy Mullins, Monroe, NC; 9. Donnie
Lacks, Lynchburg, NC; 10. Willie Wall, Lexington, NC.
Vintage Flathead Feature Finish (25-Laps): 1. Johnny
Johnson, Tobaccoville, NC; 2. John Barrow, Kernersville, NC; 3.
James Rogers, Ridgeway, VA; 4. Chris Malcom, Pinnacle, NC; 5.
Clayton Smith, King, NC; 6. Thomas Needham, Pinnacle, NC; 7.
Jerry Tuttle, Walkertown, NC; 8. Wayne Tuttle, King, NC; 9. Ken
Tuttle, King, NC; 10. Ric Newsome, Pafftown, NC.
Source: Dale
Wolbrink/racinpr@aol.com
Posted:
November 5, 2007
