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– Mason Hanel captures first Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series win at Spencer Speedway; Tommy Barron (Race of Champions Super Stock), Joey VanLare (Race of Champions Rocket Performance 602 Sportsman Modified), Patsy Catalano (Wilbert’s U-Pull-It Four Cylinder) and Billy Brown (Wilbert’s U-Pull-It Super Six) also score victories at Spencer –
Lancaster, N.Y. – (August 17, 2025) – Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, used a timely and efficient pit stop to gain track position and claim victory in the 36th annual Tribute to Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak 110 at Lancaster (NY) Motorplex this past Saturday night.
The win marked Hirschman’s third Race of Champions Modified Series victory of the 2025 season.
“We’ve been having a good year,” stated Hirschman. “Tonight things came together. It didn’t look like we’d have a caution and then there it was. It gave our team the opportunity to shine and they did as we were able to get off pit road quickly. I need to thank all of them and my family for getting us here.”
The race opened with Paulie Hartwig of Galloway, NJ, pacing the field in the early stages before giving way to Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, NY. Jack Ely of Northampton, PA, then took command until the pivotal lap 92 caution that brought the leaders to pit road for fresh tires and adjustments.
Hirschman’s crew won the race off pit road, positioning him for the decisive drive to the checkered flag. Jankowiak settled for second, with Ely finishing third. Rounding out the top-five were Austin Beers of Northampton, PA, and Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, NY, who also set the fastest time in green-white-checker qualifying.
Hanel Makes History at Spencer
On Friday night at Spencer Speedway, 14-year-old Mason Hanel of Clarence, NY, became the youngest driver in history to win a Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series event. Hanel drove to victory in the Free Apple Friday Harvest Fest Night feature, holding off veteran Andy Lewis, Sr., of Ontario, NY, and Evan Rygielski of Wilkes-Barre, PA.
“This is a big deal for my family, and I have to thank my Dad, my family and my Grandfather,” Hanel said with a smile in victory lane.
Additional Feature Winners – Free Apple Friday Harvest Fest @ Spencer Speedway
- Race of Champions Super Stock Series: Tommy Barron (Ontario, NY) outran Jason Dieter (Lake View, NY) and Dave Bailey (Lockport, NY).
- Race of Champions Rocket Performance 602 Sportsman Modified Series: Joey VanLare (Williamson, NY) continued his dominance in the division with another feature win.
- Wilbert’s U-Pull-It Four Cylinder Division: Patsy Catalano (Williamson, NY) scored the feature win and clinched the division track championship.
- Wilbert’s U-Pull-It Super Six Division: Billy Brown (Webster, NY) earned his first-ever feature victory.
Next Events
Friday, August 23, 2025 – Holland Speedway – “Busch Light 100 presented by Try-It Distributing”
- Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series – 52 laps – George Decker Memorial
- Race of Champions Late Model Series – 48 laps – The Rick Wylie Classic
- Race of Champions Super Stock Series – 25 laps
- Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series – 25 laps
Full Unofficial Results & Event Info – 36th Annual Tribute to Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak 110:
www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/543990
Full Unofficial Results & Event Info – Free Apple Friday Harvest Fest @ Spencer Speedway:
www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/550737
