Jake Lutz Adds His Name to Al Gerber Trophy As Race of Champions 250 Winner

Jake Lutz of Hamburg, N.Y., etched his name in history on Sunday at Lake Erie Speedway, capturing his first-ever Race of Champions 250 victory and joining the prestigious list of winners engraved on the Al Gerber Trophy.

Starting 8th, Lutz methodically worked his way through the field before taking control late in the race, besting multi-time winner Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. in a thrilling battle. Lutz held on through the closing laps, celebrating in victory lane with his team after a career-defining triumph.

“This is incredible,” Lutz said. “We had a great car and awesome pit stops to end up here. It’s a wild race – we got jingled up with Pat (Emerling) but were able to continue and get to victory lane. I have to thank all of my guys for their efforts. This race is definitely a team effort and you can’t win without everything falling your way.”

Hirschman settled for second, while Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, N.Y. earned third. Rising star Jake Christman of Walnutport, Pa. finished fourth, and Austin Kochenash of Danielsville, Pa. rounded out the top five in the 250-lap classic.

Weekend Winners – Race of Champions Weekend at Lake Erie Speedway

• Race of Champions Modified Series – Race of Champions 250: Jake Lutz (Hamburg, N.Y.)
• Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series: George Skora III (Eden, N.Y.) – first repeat winner of 2025
• Race of Champions Late Model Series: Joe Mancuso (Buffalo, N.Y.)
• Race of Champions Super Stock Series: Joe Mancuso (Buffalo, N.Y.)
• Race of Champions Street Stock Series: Rich Sharpe (Depew, N.Y.) and Dustin Novoa (Springville, N.Y.)
• Race of Champions Rocket Performance 602 Sportsman Modified Series: Carter Ridgeway (Williamson, N.Y.) – first career victory
• Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series: Gene Purvis (Elmira, N.Y.) – swept all four races
• Chemung Speedrome Hobby Stocks: Devin Gullo (Elmira, N.Y.)
• WNY Mighty TQ Midgets: Andy Jankowiak (Tonawanda, N.Y.) – swept the weekend
  

In addition to the feature winners, championships were clinched:

• Race of Champions Late Model Series Champion: Scott Wylie (Blasdell, N.Y.)
• Race of Champions Super Stock Series Champion: Tim Welshans (West Falls, N.Y.)

NEXT EVENTS

Applefest at Brighton Speedway
Friday, September 26 – Saturday, September 27, 2025
Featuring: Race of Champions Dirt 602 Sportsman Modified Series

Full Unofficial Results & Event Info:

• Friday, Sept. 12 → Event Info www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/542340
• Saturday, Sept. 13 → Event Info www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/542343
• Sunday, Sept. 14 → Event Info www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/542346

The Race of Champions is a premier sanctioning body for Modified and Stock Car racing on both asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events across New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Its primary marketing partners include Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tire, Racing America, Airport Collision, Rocket Performance, Waddell Communications, Image X Design, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com, and Speed Sport. The 75th Annual Race of Champions Weekend will take place later this year, continuing its tradition as the second-longest-running auto racing event in North America—second only to the Indianapolis 500.

For more information, contact;

Race of Champions Media at media@rocmodifiedseries.com

Follow us on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook; @RoCModSeries or visit our website: www.rocmodifiedseries.com.

-Race of Champions Modified Series Release and Photo