TONY HIRSCHMAN HOLDS OFF HOSSFELD AT JENNERSTOWN
JENNERSTOWN, Pa. (July 9, 2005) -- Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Tony Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. held off a late race challenge by Chuck Hossfeld of Buffalo, N.Y. to record his second win of the 2005 season in the Wheeler Brothers 150 at Jennerstown Speedway.
Hirschman appeared headed for a relatively easy victory. After taking the lead from Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn. on lap 48 he opened up a 4 second advantage lapping all but the Top-4 cars. A late race caution for a spin by Steve Whitt on lap 138 changed the complexion of the race.
Hirschman, Marquis, Hossfeld and Eddie Flemke headed to pit road on lap 139 for fresh tires. Hirschman emerged from the pits first followed by Flemke, Hossfeld and Marquis. The final restart occurred on lap 146. Hossfeld nosed under Flemke on lap 147 and applied heavy pressure to Hirschman over the final 3 laps making a final bid for the win, but coming up just short.
It was the 31st career win for Hirschman placing him in a tie with Jeff Fuller for third on the all time series win list. The victory was his third at Jennerstown. Hirschman also earned the Bud Pole Award for setting fast time in qualifying, he led the most laps to pick up the Tommy Baldwin Memorial Award and he also collected the Featherlite Most Improved Driver award.
Hossfeld’s second place finish in the Creative Products Ford moved him to within 27 points of leader Ted Christopher. Christopher suffered overheating problems and finished 23rd.
Flemke held on for third in the Red Line Oil/ Ron Bouchard Auto Chevrolet. Former series champion Marquis was fourth in the Reynolds Auto Wrecking Dodge. Jamie Tomaino rounded out the Top-5 in the Perth Amboy Spring Ford.
The next event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 15.
JENNERSTOWN, Pa. (July 9, 2005) – Unofficial Results of the Wheeler Bros. 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Jennerstown Speedway showing starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, laps completed, winner’s average speed in mph, reason out if any and money won.
1. (6) Tony Hirschman, Northampton PA., Chevrolet, 150, 76.308 mph, $8,600
2. (7) Chuck Hossfeld, Buffalo N.Y., Ford, 150, $3,600
3. (10) Eddie Flemke, Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,900
4. (2) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Dodge, 150, $2,700
5. (14) Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J., Ford, 150, $2,300
6. (24) Rick Fuller, Auburn Mass., Pontiac, 149, $2,700
7. (3) Zach Sylvester, Lebanon Conn., Chevrolet, 149, $2,150
8. (16) Chris Kopec, Palmer Mass., Chevrolet, 149, $2,100
9. (8) Gregg Shivers, Rocky Point N.Y., Pontiac, 149, $1,900
10. (21) Matt Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Dodge, 149, $1,100
11. (4) Ken Barry, Griswold Conn., Chevrolet, 149, $1,900
12. (9) Doug Coby, Milford Conn., Pontiac, 149, $1,675
13. (11) Donny Lia, Jericho N.Y., Chevrolet, 149, $1,750
14. (1) Eric Beers, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 148, $1,600
15. (18) Mike Christopher, Plainville Conn., Pontiac, 148, $1,550
16. (17) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead N.Y., Chevrolet, 148, $1,225
17. (12) Tommy Cloce, Canton N.Y., Chevrolet, 147, $1,500
18. (13) Steve Whitt, Farmingdale N.J., Dodge, 147, $1,175
19. (22) Daren Scherer, Binghamton N.Y., Chevrolet, 147, $750
20. (26) Wade Cole, Riverton Conn., Chevrolet, 146, $1,125
21. (25) Richard Coy, Ringwood N.J., Chevrolet, 143, $725
22. (23) Jimmy Storace, Kingston N.H., Chevrolet, 139, $400
23. (15) Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 125, $1,525
24. (5) Nevin George, Kunkletown Pa., Chevrolet, 125, Handling, $1,425
25. (19) Kevin Konopka, Meriden Conn., Dodge, 36, Accident, $1,425
26. (20) Darrin Stevens, West Boylston Mass., Chevrolet, 28, Clutch, $1,125
27. (27) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury Conn., Chevrolet, 21, Overheating, $1,425
28. (28) Jake Marosz, Middletown Conn., Chevrolet, 19, Accident, $725
29. (29) Tyler Haydt, Kunkletown Pa., Chevrolet, 0, Did Not Start, $1,425
Time of Race: 1 hrs., 1 mins, 34 secs Average Speed:76.308 mph Margin of Victory: .26 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: Tony Hirschman, 48 Kamco Supply Corporation Chevrolet
FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Tony Hirschman, 48 Kamco Supply Corporation Chevrolet
POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Rick Fuller, 1 Polar Beverages/Frasco Fuel Pontiac
SUNOCO RACE FUELS ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Darrin Stevens *, 44 Gray's Limousine Chevrolet
TOMMY BALDWIN MEMORIAL AWARD: Tony Hirschman, 48 Kamco Supply Corporation Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 21-27; 31-33; 37-40; 138-145. 4 for 22 laps.
Lap Leaders: Eric Beers 1-13, Jerry Marquis 14-47, Tony Hirschman 48-150.
Total Laps Led: Tony Hirschman 103, Jerry Marquis 34, Eric Beers 13. 2 changes involving 3 drivers.
Unofficial Top 20 Driver Points: Ted Christopher 959, Chuck Hossfeld 932, Tony Hirschman 846, Rick Fuller 836, Donny Lia 833, Zach Sylvester 795, Doug Coby 767, Eddie Flemke 752, Jerry Marquis 747, Jamie Tomaino 743, Chris Kopec 738, Mike Christopher 705, Eric Beers 678, Nevin George 640, Renee Dupuis 627, Ken Barry 619, Gregg Shivers 594, Tommy Cloce 570, Tyler Haydt * 561, Kevin Konopka 555
Next Race: Loudon, N.H.
Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender