Matt Hirschman Nabs First RoC Win of 2025 at Evans Mills

Matt Hirschman went to victory lane at Evans Mills Raceway Park on Saturday night, winning the Rocket 76er for the Race of Champions Modified Series.

The win continues a historic trend for one of the best Modified competitors of this generation, and the winningest driver in the annals of the RoC Modified Series. Hirschman now has 61 career victories with the series and has won at least one RoC Modified Series event in each of the past 21 seasons.

In Saturday's win, Hirschman took the lead from Mike Leaty on lap 41, and crossed the finish line ahead of Austin Beers and Andy Jankowiak for the victory. While Hirschman won by more than two seconds, he knew the pressure was on from the drop of the green flag against a stout field of racers.

"The top three, we had a real tight race right from the start, pretty much," said Hirschman. "There was a couple of times early, I thought I missed my opportunity. Maybe I should have went before I did. I was able to get inside of Andy [Jankowiak] and was racing him, and all of a sudden, I think going into one, Mike [Leaty] checked up a little more than I expected.

"I think it was at the point that he was going to slow up a little bit. We got to banging a little bit there until I just drove right under him. I think he faded just a little bit. I'm not sure where he ended up at the finish. It seemed like right at that point, it was like we flipped a switch there and he faded some."

Hirschman also won with the RoC Modifieds in 2024 at Evans Mills, which is growing into one of his favorite tracks.

"I hope this is an annual tradition. I hope, as long as I'm racing, I made one visit to Evans Mills Raceway Park every year. If you were to build a racetrack today, and I've raced all over the northeast, from Maine to Florida, if you were to build a racetrack today, this is the type of racetrack that has a future in the sport, considering what the costs are. You don't need a ton of engine, you don't need a ton of brakes. There's no walls in the corner, if you do tangle. This place is made for the future."

Along with adding to his impressive resume with the Race of Champions, Saturday's win also gives Hirschman victories across four different Modified tours in 2025, plus a victory during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.

"This series has always been great for my career," said Hirschman. "I've always said that. For me, this completes the season as far as getting a win in all four major Modified series, the SMART Modified Tour, Whelen Modified Tour, Tri-Track and now here tonight.

"Even though it's only our third start, you would have thought maybe it would have come sooner being that they were at Mahoning Valley and Chumung Speedrome, places I've won a bunch at in the past. It's a great series, it's tough competition. There was some quality right up front tonight. The way the redraw was, with only eight cars, it was pretty much go right from the start because you're with the best from the drop of the green."

Beers finished second, unofficially carrying a 54-point advantage in the RoC Modified standings after Saturday's race. He spent most of the 76-lap feature chasing Hirschman, a sight the young racer admits he is all too familiar with.

"We fired way too free," said Beers. "Matt got by me on lap one or whatever because I tried to go to the top and the top lane checked up and he rolled by. I'm like, well, that's great. I was starting in a hole there.

"If I had a dime for every time I've finished second to Matt, though, I'd probably be able to run a Truck race by now. It was an awesome facility. Thanks to all the fans for coming out. Hopefully, we can get more dates here. The track's awesome, I just hope we can maybe have a better setup next time we come through, but all in all, a good day for us."

Jankowiak rounded out the podium, never quite able to find the perfect balance on his No. 73 to contend for the victory.

"Just missed it a little bit," said Jankowiak. "Just trying to get some drive into the car, probably made it a little bit too tight tonight, but you know, it kind of hit the stagger where I thought.

"It was good at the end. We were coming back up there on Austin. I was probably a little too committed to my line, didn't want to give it up for free there. Probably should have tried the bottom a little bit sooner, but you know, it's only the second time out for this car, and we've been prety busy with the KLAS Motorsports ARCA stuff. We're inching a little bit closer, so we're going to be running this thing a lot this summer."

Leaty finished fourth, with Austin Kochenash rounding out the top five.

Next Friday, July 11, the RoC Modified Series visits Spencer Speedway for the 35th Tribute to Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak 110.

-Photo credit: MoJo Photos/Race of Champions

Rocket 76er Unofficial Results