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By Michael Jaworecki
Photo Kathleen Veit/Myracenews
Leading up to today’s first NASCAR WMT race at the New Smyrna Speedway there were high expectations for the first-time event, but no one knew how successful. Great weather, a sold-out crowd where the track had to stop selling tickets, 31 NASCAR Modifieds and a good race.
Matt Hirschman would set fast time with a 17.462 over Ryan Preece then would lead much of the early race, pitting, and working his way back through the field to dominate the late stages of the race.
Matt made the call to put tires on earlier than other drivers. His call to his crew was “let’s put them on now”. His bet was there would be no late race caution that would give fresh tires to his competitors, and he won that bet. He recalled how last year at Beech Ridge Speedway he made the same bet and lost the race.
In victory lane he gave credit to the Pee Dee Motorsports team and how huge this victory was. This is their 6th season together and as Matt said they have won many races, but this was special.
Eric Goodale in the GAF Riverhead Building Supply #58 would chase Matt Hirschman for about the last twenty-five laps and gave it all he had but he could not catch him. Eric has always run well and New Smyrna and tonight it showed.
Third place went to Mike Christopher Jr. in the Tommy Baldwin Racing #7. Michael ran a solid race all night to earn a podium finish in his first trip to New Smyrna Speedway.
Notes: Two drivers that had a tough night, the 2021 NASCAR Tour champion Justin Bonsignore in the Pheonix Communications Inc. #51 who retired on lap 49 with overheating issues and Andrew Krause in the Supreme Mfg. #24 who had a big hit to the inside wall after he and Ryan Preece in the Propane Plus, CBYD Boehler #3 tangled on the front stretch.
Results for the New Smyrna Visitor Bureau 200 February 12th 2022
New up for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour 150 laps at the Richmond Raceway on April 1st .
