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Mike Pollack makes daring last lap pass on Scott Adams in scoring Jennifer Flanagan-Kutz Memorial for Street Stocks
By DINO OBERTO
(Butler Township, Pa. 9-7-25) The race distance may have changed but the results stayed the same as Northampton’s Matt Hirschman scored his third consecutive Tour Type Modified victory at Evergreen Raceway on Sunday afternoon.
The first two events held this year were run as 50-lappers, which Hirschman both won over Roger Coss. Sunday, it was a 35-lap contest but even before half the race was completed, he was in command and would go on to make it three conquests in a row at the paved 1/3-mile oval.
“It’s a shorter race and some of the other guys were going to be a little more impatient, a little more aggressive and that may have resulted in a few more cautions then our previous two races here,” said Hirschman.
“The first race we had the lead by lap 35 and the last one we got there by lap 12 so I knew 35 (laps) was still enough time. It may change the mindset of some of the racers that think they have a little less time, and they become impatient, but I felt it was a good clean race and it’s always good to get a win close to home.”
After a redraw to set the starting grid, Hirschman began the feature in fifth. At the front Ricky Ross Jr., who started from the pole, set the early pace over Brian DeFebo.
As for Hirschman, he was fourth following a lap two restart, then began to put the power down by picking his way to third by lap 10 and advanced another two spots forward by the 14th go-around.
When Thomas Flanagan spun on the same lap, Hirschman then used that restart to overhaul Ross for the lead which he would not surrender the rest of the way.
And, as Hirschman was making his way to the front, virtually at the same time Austin Beers was following his path and on an ensuing lap 17 restart, passed Ross for second and then settled there until the finish.
“I was able to make good passes. I had four cars to pass and then I was able to keep the 71 (Beers) behind who also rose to the top and he passed four cars to get to second and it was definitely a good day,” relayed Hirschman.
After giving up first and second, Ross remained third. Jayden Harman scored a solid fourth while DeFebo rounded out the top five.
Coupled with three Sport Mod wins, Hirschman moved into a tie with Brian DeFebo as the all-time wins’ leaders in Modifieds at Evergreen with 58.
“This track this year, it kind of reminds me of the Evergreen I grew up racing on. To me it’s a little bit different than it was in recent years and I feel that it’s played right into my hand,” he said.
It was a big day for the Harry’s U-Pull-It Street Stocks as they ran the Jennifer Flanagan-Kutz Memorial, a 42-lap feature held in the memory of the popular racer who passed away 10 years ago.
Jennifer’s sister, Mallory Kutz, did an amazing job of putting the event together by collecting extra money for all those in the race and as well as assembling a full field of cars.
It was a unique race too, being run in three segments of two 12-lap stints and then a final of 18 laps. The field was also inverted following the first two portions which added quite a different aspect to how cars lined up to restart the race.
But, despite the curveball that racers had with that concept, it was a familiar face nonetheless taking the victory as Mike Pollack of Freeland made a dramatic last corner, last lap pass on strong running Scott Adams and earned his 23rd overall career win.
When the final segment began Adams passed Mike Odwazny on the second lap into the stage and from then on it was a blistering battle the took place between him and Pollack.
Each lap they run bumper-to-bumper with Adams doing all he could to fend off Pollack. There was actually a lap when Pollack slipped up after a lap-35 restart and was passed for second by Geary Rinehimer Jr. But that lasted just one tour as the next time by he was back in second and back to hounding Adams.
On final lap Pollack would go for broke by squeezing his way to the inside of Adams entering the final two corners and upon exit he was showing the way which he held on to for the thrilling verdict.
Rinehimer Jr., Brandon Oltra and Peyton Arthofer completed the top five.
In the Himmer Graphics Four Cylinders past class champion Jay Kanor of Nanticoke made a triumphant return to Victory Lane for the first time since his title season in 2019.
Kanor blasted from fourth to first on the opening lap and once in front there was no looking back as he raced smooth and steadily en route to his fifth career win.
Michael Wambold was keeping pace with him until his car lost power on lap 11. Moving into second from there was Kanor’s teammate, Tyler Skordensky who would be able to keep pace with the leader but not close enough to challenge for the lead. Still, it was a good day for the team with a 1-2 finish.
The McNulty Funeral Homes Novice division saw Gavin Higgins if Nanticoke collect his second win of the season which also played nicely into him padding his point lead. Justin Merkel Jr., who was making his first start of the season, had an impressive showing by notching a runner-up over Jereny Henry.
Tour Type Modified feature (35 laps): 1. Matt Hirschman, 2. Austin Beers, 3. Ricky Ross Jr., 4. Jayden Harman, 5. Brian DeFebo, 6. Nick Baer, 7. Lou Strohl, 8. Don Wagner, 9. Brian Romig Jr., 10. Donny Hartzell, 11. Brian Romig Jr., 12. Thomas Flanagan, 13. Jake Christman, 14. Steve Shultz, 15.
Street Stock feature (42 laps): 1. Mike Pollack, 2. Scott Adams, 3. Geary Rinehimer Jr., 4. Brandon Oltra, 5. Peyton Arthofer, 6. Paul Frantz, 7. Gordie Buchman, 8. Josh LaBatch, 9. Mike Odwazny, 10. Logan Boyer, 11. Cody Boehm, 12. Mallory Kutz, 13. Dennis Buss, 14. Cort Derr, 15. Luke Foerster, 16. Thomas Flanagan IV, 17. Bob Wink, 18. Bobby Kibler Sr., 19. Bobby Hunsicker Jr., 20. Cody Geist DNS: Sarah Derr
Four Cylinder feature (25 laps): 1. Jay Kanor, 2. Tyler Skordensky, 3. TJ Kapish, 4. Justin Merkel Sr., 5. Michael Klotz, 6. Jacob Boehm, 7. Jacob Knittle, 8. Robert McNulty, 9. Steve Kreitzer, 10. Maggie Wambold, 11. Steve Tito, 12, Caitlyn Makarewicz, 13. Lauren Skupski, 14. BJ Wambold, 15. Micheal Wambold, 16. David Carney, 17. Doug DeHaven, 18. Dave Imler Jr. DNS: Harry O’Neill
Novice feature (12 laps): 1. Gavin Higgins, 2. Justin Merkel Jr., 3. Jeremy Henry, 4. Sarabeth Mesko, 5. TJ Rex, 6. Jeff Engler, 7. Aaron Moyer
