STAFFORD SPRINGS, Conn. (August 12, 2005) - Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Tony Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. earned his third victory of the 2005 season besting current points leader Ted Christopher in the New England Dodge Dealers 150 at Stafford Motor Speedway. It was the 32nd career victory for Hirschman moving him into third place on the all time series win list. It was also his third victory in the last four traces at Stafford dating back to 2004. He now trails Christopher by just 14 points with 9 races remaining. “It’s very enjoyable to race with the guys you’re battling for the championship,“ said Hirschman. “Hopefully we’ll continue to run well. There are a lot of races left.” Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook Conn. collected his fourth starting Top-3 finish by finishing third. Former champion Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I. was fourth. Chuck Hossfeld of Buffalo N.Y., currently third in the standings, rounded out the Top-5. Hirschman set fast time in Bud Pole qualifying. The Top-6 drivers drew for starting position. Hirschman drew starting position number five. Hossfeld picked the pole and jumped to the lead at the start. He led until lap 30 when Stefanik motored by on a restart. Stefanik led until the caution flew on lap 113. Stefanik led the most laps and earned the Tommy Baldwin Memorial Award. All the leaders headed to pit road for fresh tires. Hirschman, who entered the pits fourth, emerged from the pits with the lead. He held off Christopher over the final 36 laps including during the final restart with just four laps remaining.

      1. (5) Tony Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 150, 74.751 mph, $7,400

      2. (7) Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $3,900

      3. (11) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Dodge, 150, $3,400

      4. (3) Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Chevrolet, 150, $2,900

      5. (1) Chuck Hossfeld, Buffalo N.Y., Ford, 150, $2,600

      6. (16) Eric Beers, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 150, $2,300

      7. (8) Eddie Flemke, Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,100

      8. (19) John Blewett, III, Howell N.J., 150, $1,300

      9. (6) Donny Lia, Jericho N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $2,050

      10. (12) Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J., Ford, 150, $1,900

      11. (21) Zach Sylvester, Lebanon Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,975

      12. (10) Thomas Bolles, Ellington Conn, Chevrolet, 150, $1,550

      13. (31) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $1,775

      14. (9) Jeff Malave, Manchester Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,050

      15. (15) Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,025

      16. (27) Mike Christopher, Plainville Conn., Pontiac, 150, $1,800

      17. (14) Matt Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Dodge, 150, $1,375

      18. (26) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill Conn., Chevrolet, 149, $1,350

      19. (30) Dave Etheridge, Portland Conn., Chevrolet, 149, $1,325

      20. (25) Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater Mass., Chevrolet, 149, $1,300

      21. (23) Gregg Shivers, Rocky Point N.Y., Pontiac, 148, $1,575

      22. (2) Jimmy Blewett, Howell N.J., Dodge, 148, $850

      23. (18) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire Conn., Chevrolet, 148, $825

      24. (13) Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon Conn., Pontiac, 147, $800

      25. (17) Doug Coby, Milford Conn., Pontiac, 146, $1,475

      26. (29) Tyler Haydt, Kunkletown Pa., Chevrolet, 144, $1,550

      27. (24) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury Conn., Chevrolet, 146, $1,450

      28. (22) Kevin Konopka, Meriden Conn., Dodge, 146, $1,450

      29. (4) Rick Fuller, Auburn Mass., Pontiac, 143, $1,550

      30. (28) Steve Whitt, Farmingdale N.J., Dodge, 133, Handling, $1,450

      31. (20) Zane Zeiner, Bath Pa., Chevrolet, 96, Suspension, $750

      * Denotes Rookie of the Year Contender  

Failed to Qualify: (4) Eric Berndt (#64), Wade Cole (#33), Kelly McDougall * (#19), Mike Molleur (#35) Jim Storace (#47) Jake Marosz (#9).

      Time of Race: 1 hrs., 0 mins, 12 secs Average Speed: 74.751 mph Margin of Victory: .68 Seconds

      BUD POLE AWARD: Tony Hirschman, 48 Kamco Supply Corporation Chevrolet

      FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: John Blewett, III, 66 Blewett Motorsports

      POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Kevin Goodale, 58 Riverhead Building Supply Chevrolet

      TOMMY BALDWIN MEMORIAL AWARD: Mike Stefanik, 16 Diversified Metals Chevrolet

      Caution Flags: Laps 26-30; 113-120; 138-146. 3 for 22 laps.

      Lap Leaders: Chuck Hossfeld 1-29, Mike Stefanik 30-114, Tony Hirschman 115-150.

      Total Laps Led: Mike Stefanik 85, Tony Hirschman 36, Chuck Hossfeld 29. 2 changes involving 3 drivers.

      Top 20 Driver Points: Ted Christopher 1710, Tony Hirschman 1696, Chuck Hossfeld 1637, Jerry Marquis 1564, Donny Lia 1536, Eric Beers 1493, Zach Sylvester 1463, Rick Fuller 1406, Doug Coby 1388, Mike Christopher 1364, Eddie Flemke 1289, Jamie Tomaino 1261, Steve Whitt 1123, Gregg Shivers 1109, Tyler Haydt * 1089, Dave Etheridge 1084, Chris Kopec 1083, Kevin Konopka 1034, Renee Dupuis 1034, Kevin Goodale 1031

      Next Race: Thompson, Conn.

      * Denotes Rookie of the Year Contender