TONY HIRSCHMAN SECURES FIRST SPRING SIZZLER
 

STAFFORD SPRINGS, Conn. (April 24, 2005) --  Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Tony Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. earned the first Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by Carquest Auto Parts Spring Sizzler victory of his career  on Sunday at the Stafford Motor Speedway.     Hirschman overcame an early race spin in the Kamco Supply Chevrolet on lap 29 for his first victory of the 2005 season. He made two pit stops during the race, the last on lap 79 and worked his way back through the field. He took the lead from Jamie Tomaino  on lap 129 and led the rest of the way holding of Zach Sylvester of Lebanon, Conn.. It was the 30th career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory for Hirschman and moves him within one victory of Jeff Fuller for third on the all time win list.     “We tightened up the car on the pit stop,” said Hirschman. “It was my son Matt’s decision. The car hooked up great in the final laps of the race.”     For Sylvester it was his second consecutive second place finish of the season in the TAS Country Homes Chevrolet. He now leads the series point standings by five markers over Ted Christopher.    Todd Szegedy, the 2003 series champion, finished third in the Roby’s Propane/Reynolds’ Auto Chevrolet. Szegedy was substituting for Eric Beers. Reggie Ruggiero of Rocky Hill, Conn. finished fourth. Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn. rounded out the Top-5.    Donny Lia set fast time in qualifying to earn his first Bud Pole Award of the season. Charlie Pasteryak was the winner of the Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award. Tommy Bolles earned the Powerade Power Move of the Race Award. Hirschman, who led the most laps, won the Tommy Baldwin Memorial Award.     The next event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is back at Stafford on May 27. STAFFORD SPRINGS, Conn. (April 24, 2005) Unofficial Results of the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by Carquest Auto PartsNASCAR Whelen Modified Tour 200 lap race at Stafford Motor Speedway showing starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, make of car, laps completed, winner’s average speed in mph, reason out if any and money won   1.  (3) Tony Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 203, 60.447 mph, $8,850   2. (21) Zack Sylvester, Lebanon Conn., Chevrolet, 203, $4,800   3.  (2) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield Conn., Chevrolet, 203, $3,400   4.  (8) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill Conn., Chevrolet, 203, $2,500   5. (11) Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 203, $3,000   6.  (5) Chuck Hossfeld, Buffalo N.Y., Ford, 203, $2,700   7. (24) Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J., Ford, 203, $2,300   8. (15) Charlie Pasteryak, Lisbon Conn., Chevrolet, 203, $2,300   9. (30) Thomas Bolles, Ellington Conn, Chevrolet, 203, $2,300  10. (26) Chris Kopec, Palmer Mass., Chevrolet, 203, $1,600  11. (19) Mike Christopher, Plainville Conn., Pontiac, 202, $1,500  12.  (1) Nevin George, Kunkletown Pa., Chevrolet, 202, $1,875  13. (16) Anthony Ferrante, Jr, Franklin Square, Chevrolet, 202, $1,525  14. (28) Kevin Konopka, Meriden Conn., Dodge, 201, $1,475  15.  (4) Donny Lia, Jericho N.Y., Chevrolet, 197, $2,300  16. (32) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury Conn., Chevrolet, 184, $1,725  17.  (6) Eddie Flemke, Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 181, $1,750  18. (12) Rick Fuller, Auburn Mass., Pontiac, 180, $1,700  19. (27) Mike Molleur, Shelton Conn., Chevrolet, 179, $1,375  20. (22) Dave Etheridge, Portland Conn., Chevrolet, 176, $1,525  21. (18) Gregg Shivers, Rocky Point N.Y., Pontiac, 175, Engine, $1,500  22. (31) Tommy Cloce, Canton N.Y., Chevrolet, 170, $1,475  23. (14) Jimmy Storace, Kingston N.H., Chevrolet, 167, $1,025  24.  (9) Doug Coby, Milford Conn., Chevrolet, 166, $1,400  25. (20) Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater Mass., Chevrolet, 160, Ignition, $700  26. (23) Bo Gunning, Bethlehem Conn., Dodge, 157, Ignition, $1,000  27. (29) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Dodge, 104, Handling, $1,500  28. (13) Ken Barry, Griswold Conn., Chevrolet, 86, Accident, $1,700  29. (17) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead N.Y., Chevrolet, 86, Accident, $1,400  30.  (7) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire Conn., Chevrolet, 77, Overheating, $700  31. (25) Ken Bouchard, Fitchburg Mass., Chevrolet, 71, Overheating, $700  32. (10) Eric Berndt, Rocky Hill Conn., Chevrolet, 51, Oil Pump, $700  33. (33) Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Dodge, 38, Accident, $1,400   Failed to Qualify:         (10) Darrin Stevens * (#44), Fred Vordermeier (#04), Tyler Haydt * (#28), Steve Whitt (#06), Roy Seidell, Jr (#27), Wade Cole (#33), Kelly McDougall * (#19), Jake Marosz (#9), Daniel Knoll (#70), Howie Brode (#96). Time of Race:    1 hrs., 40 mins, 45 secs      Average Speed: 60.447 mph      Margin of Victory:.28 Seconds BUD POLE AWARD:  Donny Lia, 18 Huntington Honda Chevrolet FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD:  Charlie Pasteryak, 5 Dawley's Auto Center Chevrolet POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE:  Thomas Bolles, 76 Bolles Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep Chevrolet TOMMY BALDWIN MEMORIAL AWARD:  Tony Hirschman, 48 Kamco Supply Corporation Chevrolet Caution Flags:   Laps 40-47; 50-55; 58-62; 64-68; 77-82; 86-91; 121-127; 190-195; 199-201.  9 for 52 laps. Lap Leaders:      Nevin George 1-28, Todd Szegedy 29-55, Ted Christopher 56-123, Jamie Tomaino 124-128, Tony Hirschman 129-203. Total Laps Led:  Tony Hirschman 75, Ted Christopher 68, Nevin George 28, Todd Szegedy 27, Jamie Tomaino 5.  4 changes involving 5 drivers. Top 20 Driver Points:   Zack Sylvester 340, Ted Christopher 335, Chuck Hossfeld 315, Tony Hirschman 310, Chris Kopec 284, Nevin George 273, Rick  Fuller 264, Dave Etheridge 237, Donny Lia 230, Renee Dupuis 230, Doug Coby 229, Jamie Tomaino 228, Mike Stefanik 224, Mike Christopher 221, Gregg Shivers 218, Bo Gunning 209, Ken Barry 206, Kevin Konopka 206, Eddie Flemke 206, Tommy        Cloce 206   * Denotes Rookie of the Year Contender

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