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Claremont, NH (October 27, 2008) --Northampton, PA.,modified star Matt Hirschman made his first start with the New England based True Value Modified Racing Series a successful one, besting a field of 25 racers, to win the New England Outdoor Furnaces,
Ricky Miller Memorial 100, Sunday, Oct 26, at TwinStateSpeedway, Claremont, NH.
The race was the final event of the 2008 season.
It was the first appearance by the fifth year series at the famed New Hampshire oval, and the first time an outside driver has won a TVMRS sanctioned race.Hirschman entered the event this past Monday. He is the 2008 RoC modified champion and winner of 12 major races this season.
At the drop of the green flag by honorary flagman, Claremont racing legend, Donnie Ayer, long-time TwinState racer and former track champion, Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT., shot into the lead from his outside front row starting position and would hold the top spot, with Kirk Alexander, W. Swanzey, NH., in hot pursuit. Alexander wrestled the lead away for one circuit, on a lap 42 re-start, only to have the 2006 champion, Jarvis, take it back and lead the field until lap 61.
Hirschman moved to the point with Jarvis trying everything he could to get the lead back but the 25 year old hot shoe was able to hold off the Claremont Hall-of Fame member to notch the win.
At one point, Jarvis made a patented move to pull alongside the leader, as he dove low into turn three, to a cheering crowd, only to have one of eight caution flags slow the race.
Hirschman said he knew Jarvis was there. I seen his move, the way my car was set-up, I could run his line and make that move, but my move was totally different, he made it once or twice and he almost made it work, I just had to run my line and if he got me, I thought I could probably get him back. It was like we were going to go back and forth right to the end, I was able to hold him off.
The win by Hirschman is another milestone in his already successful season. It feels good to add this to my season, to win in three of the major modified tours is an accomplishment that speaks for itself, said the winning driver. I know Teddy (Christopher), Stefanik, and a few others have run with the series, its a good accomplishment. He added, What a race, man what a race, some of the hardest short track racing Ive ever done, I was out of breath when the race was over, It was intense, that was some good stuff, said a smiling Hirschman.
Alexander finished third, followed by Jon McKennedy, and Rob Goodenough making up the top five. Sean Bodreau, Pasteryak, Mike Douglas, Todd Owen, and Kenny Barry rounded out the top ten.
Pasteryak won the 2008 series championship over Alexander and Mike Holdridge.
Kenny White Jr, claimed the Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year title. Both drivers will be honored at the series championship banquet Saturday night November 15, at Francis Farms, Rehoboth, MA.
Series officials requested fans stand on lap 12 and lap 84 in remembrance of Ricky Miller and Kirby Monteith. Monteith, a charter member and driver of the TVMRS, passed away two weeks ago.
Qualifying heat races were won by Douglas, D.Jarvis, and Owen.
28 teams entered the event. 26 cars started. The top 12 finishers were on the lead lap. Eight caution flags were displayed for minor mishaps. It took 56 minutes 22 seconds to complete the race.
Pasteryak, White, Win True Value Modified Series Titles
Claremont, NH. (Oct 27,2008) 28 year old Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., claimed the 2008 True Value Modified Racing Series championship Sunday afternoon, Oct 26, finishing seventh, in the running of the Ricky Miller Memorial 100, at Twin State Speedway, Claremont, NH.
Pasteryak, winner of two races this season, at Waterford, CT., and Seekonk, MA., took a 17 point lead over Madison, CT., driver Mike Holdridge, into the season finale, but Pasteryaks strong finish enabled him to secure the championship but not without a little drama.
The champion was involved in a minor skirmish that warranted a quick visit to the pit area for a flat tire on lap 41. When he returned, Pasteryak made a run to the front trying to finish as many positions ahead of Holdridge as possible. Holdridge checkered 14th while Kirk Alexander, the defending champion, finished third but mathematically out of the running for his fourth title.
Pasteryak was asked what the title, his first ever, means to him and his team. It means quite a bit, way more than I could ever put into words. He explained, Like I said before, this is my father, my uncle, and now me. They bought their first modified in 1975, they never had raced anything else, they just helped out other guys in the area. They started racing in 1976 at Stafford Springs and its been till 2008 and no championships, this is pretty big. The new champion continued, Everyones almost in disbelief. Been (family) running so long, theyve had some success but never like this, this is really special.
Pasteryak almost saw their run for the title come to an end in September when a hard crash at Thompson could have put an end to their championship hopes. That was not the case. They went right to work re-building the 15CT with the title still a possibility.
You always have them doubts, especially after a car takes a big hit that its not going to be the same after you wreck. Its a testament to the kind of work Kenny Barry does at SPAFCO because this thing just never skips a beat. We came right back and finished second at All-Star, if anything it was better after it got wrecked. It really makes be look like a lot better driver than I am.
Although he has not officially been crowned, that will come at the annual awards banquet next month; fans always want to know what race drivers intend to do the following year.
Will the new championship team return next year to be referred too as the defending champs? Oh of course, gotta come back. This is the most fun weve ever had racing. Never had a chance to be called a defending champion. Its going to be nice.
Kenny White Jr. committed to running the entire 2008 season with a plan. Learn, be competitive, and see what the season would bring the former BGNN competitor. It earned him a lot of respect, from competitors, and officials.
The second generation driver from Weare, NH, reflected on the season that brought him the Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year award. We didnt expect it, we came in with hopes to make all of the races, finish as many as we could, this is definitely a bonus, (Rookie Title) this was not expected. We started off the season being consistent and learning. We had a string of bad luck, mechanical issues, and it forced us to get way behind but we felt we were not out of it, that we would keep trying. If we get there we get there. The 77 team beat out Joe Doucette for the rookie honors.
White plans to come back to the series in 2009. Our plans are to return, we love it, great people, its like a huge family here, and well definitely be here in 09. he concluded.
The series champions will be honored at the fifth annual awards banquet on Saturday night Nov 15, at Francis Farm, in Rehoboth, MA. Various recognition awards will be presented as well as the annual Bob Polverari Award.
