Tony Hirschman
It a big jump---make that a quantum leap---from a Plymouth Valiant-bodied Sportsman at Dorney Park Speedway to five NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships.
Thanks to Dino’s impeccable records, Hirschman’s first victory was on May 5, 1974 in a Late Model at Mahoning Valley Speedway; his first Dorney Park win, also in a Late Model, was on June 7, 1975; and his first Modified triumph, also at Dorney Park on May 8, 1976.
Those five NASCAR Mod Tour championships, in 1995, ’96, 99, 2004, and ’05, put Tony Hirschman in some pretty exclusive company as multi-time NASCAR Modified titlists: Evans, Cook, Stefanik, and Hirschman are the all-time leaders in the championship ranks. His overall NASCAR Mod Tour record: 320 starts, 35 wins, 134 top-five finishes, 200 top-tens, and 38 poles.
In other NASCAR divisions, Hirschman was the 1991 Busch North Rookie of the Year. And in 47 total Busch North (that’s the precursor of today’s K&N Pro Series East) he registered one win, 10 top-fives, 22 top-tens, and two poles. He also made seven starts in the Xfinity Series.
Then there’s Hirschman’s record in other Modified events. He was the 1978 and ’80 point champion at Evergreen Speedway. And a winner of well over 100 races at other Northeast tracks. Most importantly, however, is his four victories in the annual open competition Race of Champions. Those wins came in 1989, ’97, 2008, and 2010.
Congratulation Tony Hirschman of your induction into the EMPA Hall of Fame.
Thanks to Dino’s impeccable records, Hirschman’s first victory was on May 5, 1974 in a Late Model at Mahoning Valley Speedway; his first Dorney Park win, also in a Late Model, was on June 7, 1975; and his first Modified triumph, also at Dorney Park on May 8, 1976.
Those five NASCAR Mod Tour championships, in 1995, ’96, 99, 2004, and ’05, put Tony Hirschman in some pretty exclusive company as multi-time NASCAR Modified titlists: Evans, Cook, Stefanik, and Hirschman are the all-time leaders in the championship ranks. His overall NASCAR Mod Tour record: 320 starts, 35 wins, 134 top-five finishes, 200 top-tens, and 38 poles.
In other NASCAR divisions, Hirschman was the 1991 Busch North Rookie of the Year. And in 47 total Busch North (that’s the precursor of today’s K&N Pro Series East) he registered one win, 10 top-fives, 22 top-tens, and two poles. He also made seven starts in the Xfinity Series.
Then there’s Hirschman’s record in other Modified events. He was the 1978 and ’80 point champion at Evergreen Speedway. And a winner of well over 100 races at other Northeast tracks. Most importantly, however, is his four victories in the annual open competition Race of Champions. Those wins came in 1989, ’97, 2008, and 2010.
Congratulation Tony Hirschman of your induction into the EMPA Hall of Fame.
