RGeeProductions
10-28-2012, 11:48 PM
Matt Hirschman, Earl Paules and TJ Gursky claim big wins in Mahoning Valley Speedway Octoberfast 2012
It was the biggest payday and longest race distance for the Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks ever at Mahoning Valley Speedway and race teams responded to the cash and laps offerings with a very impressive field in the highly touted “Octoberfast 2012, Fright Night in the Valley.
When all was said and done, Matt Hirschman proved once again why he is the undisputed king of extra distance races at the paved quarter mile oval as the Northampton ace drove his J & J Motorsports No. 59 to a decisive $5000 victory in the 130 lap feature, Earl Paules of Palmerton won his 10th Late Model race of the season and TJ Gursky, also from Palmerton, took top honors in the 100 lap Street Stock feature and it was all in front a full grandstand.
The Octoberfast 2012 goes down as one of the most successful days in track history and brings to a close the first year of promoting under Floyd Santee. The racing was the track’s season finale and was part of a close to $50,000 purse. It drew 34 Modifieds, 20 Late Models and 31 Street Stocks from throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
“We wouldn’t be here tonight if it hadn’t been for (promoter) Floyd Santee and his family. They stepped up to the plate and did something here that no one else had ever done before. This means that we’ll come back again next year. We have to keep this event going. They did an excellent job with the fans and the racers,” said Hirschman.
An all-star 24 car field began the Modified main. Hirschman, in the J & J Motorsports No. 59, became the sixth and final leader when he assumed the top spot under a lap 59 caution. He then drove the rest of the way with little resistance for his track leading seventh 100-plus lap feature win at Mahoning Valley.
“This was unbelievable. To race in front of this size of a crowd in late October, it’s my favorite time of year,” said Hirschman.
Some crafty pit strategy early on played nicely into his hands too. Under the race’s first yellow on lap 34, Hirschman gave up his fifth place running spot to duck in for a left rear tire. He came back out ninth and patiently held steady after reaching sixth place.
Then on lap 59 leader Lou Strohl spun and brought out a caution. Much to Hirschman’s benefit all five cars ahead of him made pit stops which then moved him to the front of the pack.
At Mahoning Valley it’s rare to see Hirschman passed once he takes the lead and this time was no different as the rest of the way was near effortless.
“It worked out to be a masterpiece of perfection. I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better than that. I’m a big believer in momentum and when you got that behind you and you’re not doubting yourself and your car and your team in the pits, it almost comes easy,” he said.
A redraw after heats saw newly crowned track champion Paules snag the pole with New York star Chuck Hossfeld alongside.
At the drop of the green Paules took to the early lead with Hossfeld closely alongside him. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standout Ryan Preece, 2011 Mahoning champ Tyler Haydt and Hirschman made up the top five.
Hossfeld, who was making his first appearance at Mahoning Valley, was giving Paules a handful to deal with, attacking from both the high and low lanes. On lap seven he drove to the inside and took control of the lead.
Haydt had worked to third and was now running two-wide with Paules while they each went nip-and-tuck with Hossfeld.
Utilizing his home track advantage and keen ability of running the high groove, Paules was able to shake free of Haydt and continued towards Hossfeld, retaking the lead on lap 22. Likewise Haydt also followed Paules as did Preece.
The rapid paced action was halted for the first time on lap 34 when Jimmy Zacharias made contact with Tony Hirschman in turn three and put an end to both them.
Under the yellow a handful of cars went pit-side including M. Hirschman. Upon returning he would be shown in 10th. Paules was still out front with Haydt followed by Nevin George, Eric Beers Roger Coss.
When the race got back underway Paules got very defensive as Haydt and George were attacking from either side of him. George, who was on the inside, made a thrusting surge coming through turn four on lap 37 and entered into the lead.
Hard charging Coss was starting to make his presence felt by this time as well. He and Paules began going back and forth for second. Also on the move was Strohl in the Matt Higgins owned No. 88.
After a lap 45 restart, Strohl was third behind George and Coss and within two laps of going back green he powered his way past both. Things were looking good for the all-time Modified wins leader as he was chasing after his first in three years.
George was keeping right on his tail but Strohl was not showing signs of uneasiness. The leaders then came upon lapped traffic by lap 58. Just ahead of them was Matt Wentz. On lap 59 as they came off of turn one, Strohl and George, while running to the inside of Wentz, just cleared him but as they were heading into turn two, George tapped the back of Strohl and the leader went into a spin.
With the caution now out George along with third, fourth and fifth runners Paules, Haydt and Beers, all made pit stops. That elevated Hirschman to the top. Bobby Jones was now second with Chip Santee, Hossfeld and John Bennett making up the top five.
Once the action got back underway Hirschman would remain in charge. Even with a few more cautions that allowed others to challenge, he would have nothing to do with it. He was even passing cars on the final few laps despite his comfortable lead.
“I had a great car. I felt comfortable and ran that pace. The lapped cars worked with me and it was a perfect day,” said Hirschman who drove away to a five car length margin of victory.
“You slack off a little bit and leave the door open and somebody’s filling it. We’re racing for five grand here today and you don’t give someone an opportunity if you don’t have to.
With 32 laps to go Coss progressed to second and similar to Hirschman would not be challenged the rest of the way.
“It was a good run. I was trying real hard but he was a little better than me. I finished second to the best in the business, there’s no question about it,” said Coss who pocketed $3000.
“It’s a good payday. One spot higher would be a lot nicer but we’ll take second in this case.”
Beers, who like Hirschman always comes into the extra distance races as a favorite, fought hard to come home third. His efforts netted him $2000. Zane Zeiner came from 17th to fourth with Paules rounding out the top five. They cleared $1600 and $1200 respectively.
There were four heats which were won by Tony Hirschman, Don Wagner, Beers and Kevin Rex, Jr. Zeiner and Bennett won the consolation races.
A B-main for non-qualified cars was held and in the non-stop 25-lapper James Pritchard, Jr., of Roxberry, NJ led every lap and won for the first time in a Modfied. The race was worth $1000. It was his first win since a Factory Stock victory back in 2006.
(continued)
It was the biggest payday and longest race distance for the Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks ever at Mahoning Valley Speedway and race teams responded to the cash and laps offerings with a very impressive field in the highly touted “Octoberfast 2012, Fright Night in the Valley.
When all was said and done, Matt Hirschman proved once again why he is the undisputed king of extra distance races at the paved quarter mile oval as the Northampton ace drove his J & J Motorsports No. 59 to a decisive $5000 victory in the 130 lap feature, Earl Paules of Palmerton won his 10th Late Model race of the season and TJ Gursky, also from Palmerton, took top honors in the 100 lap Street Stock feature and it was all in front a full grandstand.
The Octoberfast 2012 goes down as one of the most successful days in track history and brings to a close the first year of promoting under Floyd Santee. The racing was the track’s season finale and was part of a close to $50,000 purse. It drew 34 Modifieds, 20 Late Models and 31 Street Stocks from throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
“We wouldn’t be here tonight if it hadn’t been for (promoter) Floyd Santee and his family. They stepped up to the plate and did something here that no one else had ever done before. This means that we’ll come back again next year. We have to keep this event going. They did an excellent job with the fans and the racers,” said Hirschman.
An all-star 24 car field began the Modified main. Hirschman, in the J & J Motorsports No. 59, became the sixth and final leader when he assumed the top spot under a lap 59 caution. He then drove the rest of the way with little resistance for his track leading seventh 100-plus lap feature win at Mahoning Valley.
“This was unbelievable. To race in front of this size of a crowd in late October, it’s my favorite time of year,” said Hirschman.
Some crafty pit strategy early on played nicely into his hands too. Under the race’s first yellow on lap 34, Hirschman gave up his fifth place running spot to duck in for a left rear tire. He came back out ninth and patiently held steady after reaching sixth place.
Then on lap 59 leader Lou Strohl spun and brought out a caution. Much to Hirschman’s benefit all five cars ahead of him made pit stops which then moved him to the front of the pack.
At Mahoning Valley it’s rare to see Hirschman passed once he takes the lead and this time was no different as the rest of the way was near effortless.
“It worked out to be a masterpiece of perfection. I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better than that. I’m a big believer in momentum and when you got that behind you and you’re not doubting yourself and your car and your team in the pits, it almost comes easy,” he said.
A redraw after heats saw newly crowned track champion Paules snag the pole with New York star Chuck Hossfeld alongside.
At the drop of the green Paules took to the early lead with Hossfeld closely alongside him. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standout Ryan Preece, 2011 Mahoning champ Tyler Haydt and Hirschman made up the top five.
Hossfeld, who was making his first appearance at Mahoning Valley, was giving Paules a handful to deal with, attacking from both the high and low lanes. On lap seven he drove to the inside and took control of the lead.
Haydt had worked to third and was now running two-wide with Paules while they each went nip-and-tuck with Hossfeld.
Utilizing his home track advantage and keen ability of running the high groove, Paules was able to shake free of Haydt and continued towards Hossfeld, retaking the lead on lap 22. Likewise Haydt also followed Paules as did Preece.
The rapid paced action was halted for the first time on lap 34 when Jimmy Zacharias made contact with Tony Hirschman in turn three and put an end to both them.
Under the yellow a handful of cars went pit-side including M. Hirschman. Upon returning he would be shown in 10th. Paules was still out front with Haydt followed by Nevin George, Eric Beers Roger Coss.
When the race got back underway Paules got very defensive as Haydt and George were attacking from either side of him. George, who was on the inside, made a thrusting surge coming through turn four on lap 37 and entered into the lead.
Hard charging Coss was starting to make his presence felt by this time as well. He and Paules began going back and forth for second. Also on the move was Strohl in the Matt Higgins owned No. 88.
After a lap 45 restart, Strohl was third behind George and Coss and within two laps of going back green he powered his way past both. Things were looking good for the all-time Modified wins leader as he was chasing after his first in three years.
George was keeping right on his tail but Strohl was not showing signs of uneasiness. The leaders then came upon lapped traffic by lap 58. Just ahead of them was Matt Wentz. On lap 59 as they came off of turn one, Strohl and George, while running to the inside of Wentz, just cleared him but as they were heading into turn two, George tapped the back of Strohl and the leader went into a spin.
With the caution now out George along with third, fourth and fifth runners Paules, Haydt and Beers, all made pit stops. That elevated Hirschman to the top. Bobby Jones was now second with Chip Santee, Hossfeld and John Bennett making up the top five.
Once the action got back underway Hirschman would remain in charge. Even with a few more cautions that allowed others to challenge, he would have nothing to do with it. He was even passing cars on the final few laps despite his comfortable lead.
“I had a great car. I felt comfortable and ran that pace. The lapped cars worked with me and it was a perfect day,” said Hirschman who drove away to a five car length margin of victory.
“You slack off a little bit and leave the door open and somebody’s filling it. We’re racing for five grand here today and you don’t give someone an opportunity if you don’t have to.
With 32 laps to go Coss progressed to second and similar to Hirschman would not be challenged the rest of the way.
“It was a good run. I was trying real hard but he was a little better than me. I finished second to the best in the business, there’s no question about it,” said Coss who pocketed $3000.
“It’s a good payday. One spot higher would be a lot nicer but we’ll take second in this case.”
Beers, who like Hirschman always comes into the extra distance races as a favorite, fought hard to come home third. His efforts netted him $2000. Zane Zeiner came from 17th to fourth with Paules rounding out the top five. They cleared $1600 and $1200 respectively.
There were four heats which were won by Tony Hirschman, Don Wagner, Beers and Kevin Rex, Jr. Zeiner and Bennett won the consolation races.
A B-main for non-qualified cars was held and in the non-stop 25-lapper James Pritchard, Jr., of Roxberry, NJ led every lap and won for the first time in a Modfied. The race was worth $1000. It was his first win since a Factory Stock victory back in 2006.
(continued)