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– Trisha Connolly Opens Title Defense with Home Track Victory in FOAR SCORE Dash Series –
Lehighton, PA (April 18, 2026) – Matt Hirschman is always a contender, no matter the track. But when the Race of Champions Modified Series visits Mahoning Valley Speedway, one of the tracks closest to his home,
Hirschman seems to find another gear.
On Saturday night, Hirschman started 12th, methodically worked his way through the field, and took the lead from Paulie Hartwig III just past the midway point of the 75-lap “Spring Zing” before driving on to victory in the Race of Champions Modified Series season opener.
“We needed tonight,” said Hirschman following the event. “We haven’t had our typical start to the season, so this is great for our race team and gets us back on track. I want to thank my family, the team, our sponsors, and everyone that supports us. It’s great to win here at home and see a great crowd. There’s nothing quite like home cooking.”
The race began with former Race of Champions Modified Series champions Austin Beers and Earl Paules leading the field to green, battling for position in the early stages. The event featured multiple caution periods before Hartwig worked his way to the front and appeared to be in control.
Hirschman, however, had other plans.
After steadily advancing from his 12th starting position, Hirschman made his move just past halfway and never looked back, securing the victory in convincing fashion.
Hartwig finished second, while Jack Ely rallied from 15th to finish third after encountering issues in qualifying. Blake Barney finished fourth, with young Gunnar Zeiner rounding out the top five.
Hirschman’s night was dominant from start to finish, as he swept the evening by setting fast time in green-white-checker qualifying and winning his qualifying race. Beers, Hartwig, and Roger Coss also scored qualifying race victories.
Connolly Opens Strong at Home
In the Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series, Trisha Connolly began her title defense in perfect fashion, earning a victory at her home track in the Series’ first-ever appearance at Mahoning Valley Speedway.
Travis Solomon finished second, followed by Cody Boehm in third.
Up Next
The Race of Champions “Family of Series” heads to Shangri-La II Speedway in Owego, NY with the running of the “Rod Spalding Classic Night before The Glen” featuring the Race of Champions Modified, Super Stock and FOAR SCORE Dash Series and the Shangri-La Hobby Stocks.
Full Unofficial Results & Event Info: www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/619986
The Race of Champions is a premier sanctioning body for Modified and Stock Car racing on both asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events across New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Its primary marketing partners include Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tire, Flo Racing, Airport Collision, Waddell Communications, Image X Design, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com, and Speed Sport. The 76th Annual Race of Champions Weekend will take place later this year, continuing its tradition as the second-longest-running auto racing event in North America—second only to the Indianapolis 500.
For more information, contact;
Race of Champions Media at media@rocmodifiedseries.com
Follow us on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook; @RoCModSeries or visit our website: www.rocmodifiedseries.com
