LongIslandJam.com -- WMT Race #17 Stafford

STAFFORD SPRINGS- Conn. (Oct. 2, 2005) – Tony Hirschman of Northampton, Conn. continued his current mastery of the Stafford Motor Speedway by winning the 150 lap Carquest Fall Final NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race. It was the third victory of the 2005 season for Hirschman at Stafford and his fifth victory in the last 9 races at the Connecticut half-mile oval. More importantly, the victory allowed Hirschman to close unofficially within 36 points of series leader Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn. (2658-2622) with two races remaining.

After starting third in the Kamco Supply Chevrolet Hirschman took the lead from Jimmy Blewett on lap 17 and led the rest of the way. Hirschman used a no stop pit strategy and went the distance on one set of tires.

“The crew asked me how the car was during the second caution period,” said Hirschman. “I told them it was perfect so we stayed out. We never had another opportunity to stop for tires.”

It was the fifth series victory for Hirschman this year, the 34^th in his career and his sixth career win at Stafford.

One driver who did elect to stop for tires was Bud Pole Winner Donny Lia. Lia, who started form the back of the field because he missed the drivers meeting, stopped on lap 52 for tires during a caution period. He charged back through the field and was running second to Hirschman on the final lap when the left front spindle sheared off the car. Lia managed to hold on and finished second on three wheels.

Chuck Hossfeld of Buffalo, N.Y., who trails Christopher by 162 points finished third. Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn., who is currently fourth in the standings and trails Hossfeld by 29 points, was fourth. Ted Christopher rounded out the Top-5.

The next event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Conn. on Saturday Oct. 8^th.

STAFFORD SPRINGS, Conn. – Unofficial results of the Carquest Fall Final 150 lap NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Stafford Motor Speedway showing starting position, driver, hometown, make of car, winner’s average speed in mph, laps completed, reason out if any and money won.

1. (3) Tony Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 150, 78.855 mph, $7,850

2. (5) Donny Lia, Jericho N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $4,050

3. (15) Chuck Hossfeld, Buffalo N.Y., Ford, 150, $3,200

4. (21) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Dodge, 150, $3,500

5. (6) Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,700

6. (12) Charlie Pasteryak, Lisbon Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,100

7. (10) Eric Beers, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 150, $2,400

8. (4) Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J., Ford, 150, $2,200

9. (9) John Blewett, III, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 150, $1,750

10. (11) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,500

11. (14) Anthony Ferrante, Jr, Franklin Square, Chevrolet, 150, $1,500

12. (19) Ken Barry, Griswold Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,475

13. (2) Jimmy Blewett, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 150, $1,450

14. (25) Dave Etheridge, Portland Conn., Chevrolet, 149, $1,725

15. (1) Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon Conn., Pontiac, 149, $1,000

16. (23) Jeff Malave, Manchester Conn., Chevrolet, 149, $975

17. (17) Rick Fuller, Auburn Mass., Pontiac, 148, $1,750

18. (29) Mike Christopher, Plainville Conn., Pontiac, 148, $1,725

19. (27) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury Conn., Chevrolet, 148, $1,600

20. (20) Kenny Horton, Guilford, Chevrolet, 148, $875

21. (24) Zach Sylvester, Lebanon Conn., Chevrolet, 148, $1,650

22. (30) Tyler Haydt, Kunkletown Pa., Chevrolet, 146, $1,625

23. (26) Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater Mass., Chevrolet, 127, Engine, $1,500

24. (13) Eddie Flemke, Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 112, Engine, $1,600

25. (32) Wayne Anderson, Yaphank N.Y., Chevrolet, 108, Black Flag, $800

26. (7) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire Conn., Chevrolet, 102, Suspension, $800

27. (22) Steve Whitt, Farmingdale N.J., Dodge, 78, Engine, $1,500

28. (18) Steve Park, East Northport N.Y., Chevrolet, 67, Suspension, $800

29. (8) Doug Coby, Milford Conn., Pontiac, 57, $1,500

30. (31) Gregg Shivers, Rocky Point N.Y., Pontiac, 21, Overheating, $1,500

31. (28) Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Chevrolet, 12, Accident, $1,500

32. (16) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead N.Y., Chevrolet, 8, Accident, $1,500

Failed to Qualify: (11) Bobby Santos, III (#14), Mike Ewanitsko (#36), Thomas Bolles (#76), Anthony Sesley (#09), Wade Cole (#33), Mike Molleur (#35), Justin Gaydosh (#94), Kelly McDougall (#19), Howie Brode (#96), Roy Seidell, Jr (#27), Jake Marosz (#9).

Time of Race: 0 hrs., 57 mins, 4 secs Average Speed: 78.855 mph Margin of Victory: 4.5 Seconds

BUD POLE AWARD: Donny Lia, 18 Huntington Honda Chevrolet

FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Reggie Ruggiero, 41 Atlantic Sprinklers Chevrolet

POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Jerry Marquis, 4 Reynolds Auto Wrecking Dodge

TOMMY BALDWIN MEMORIAL AWARD: Tony Hirschman, 48 Kamco Supply Corporation Chevrolet

Caution Flags: Laps 9-15; 50-55. 2 for 13 laps.

Lap Leaders: Jimmy Blewett 1-17, Tony Hirschman 18-150.

Total Laps Led: Tony Hirschman 133, Jimmy Blewett 17. 1 changes involving 2 drivers.

Top 20 Driver Points: Ted Christopher 2658, Tony Hirschman 2622, Chuck Hossfeld 2496, Jerry Marquis 2467, Eric Beers 2382, Donny Lia 2357, Doug Coby 2162, Rick Fuller 2130, Jamie Tomaino 2051, Zach Sylvester 2048, Mike Christopher 2042, Eddie Flemke 2039, Dave Etheridge 1822, Steve Whitt 1776, Tyler Haydt * 1750, Renee Dupuis 1625, Kevin Goodale 1616, Mike Stefanik 1575, Gregg Shivers 1555, Kevin Konopka 1492

Next Race: Thompson, Conn.

Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender

2005 WMT Season Coverage THE END

TONY HIRSCHMAN CLOSES GAP IN NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR POINT BATTLE AT STAFFORD BY WINNING THE CARQUEST FALL FINAL