Race of Champions

10/12/2025

Race of Champions

MATT HIRSCHMAN ADDS ONE FOR THE SECOND THUMB WITH VICTORY AT THOMPSON SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK IN THE 75TH ANNUAL RACE OF CHAMPIONS

Matt Hirschman (Northampton, Pa.) put an emphatic stamp on another dominant season by capturing the 75th Annual Race of Champions at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Saturday afternoon, clinching his ninth Race of Champions Modified Series championship in the process.

One of the most accomplished and consistent Modified drivers in modern history, Hirschman earned his 10th career victory in the storied Race of Champions — a race now celebrating its 75th running and recognized as “The Greatest Tradition in Modified Racing.”

Hirschman’s win came after a fierce late-race battle with Patrick Emerling (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and Jon McKennedy (Chelmsford, Mass.). Following the final round of pit stops, Hirschman outdueled Emerling on a restart and held off a charging McKennedy to secure the milestone victory.

“This one is pretty special,” Hirschman said in victory lane. “We’ve won this race at a variety of tracks, and to do it ten times is an incredible accomplishment. This race means a lot to my family and team. When it was announced that it would be held at Thompson, I knew we didn’t have the strongest results here, but we went to work — and today, it showed. Our team was great on pit stops, the car was fast all day, and it all came together. It’s a big team win and one we’re very proud of.”

McKennedy, who earned the pole after setting the fastest qualifying time, finished second. Emerling, the 2021 winner of the event, came home third after leading off pit road late in the race. Ronnie Silk (Norwalk, Conn.) finished fourth, while Jacob Christman (Walnutport, Pa.), the 2025 Race of Champions Modified Series Rookie of the Year, rounded out the top five in his first career start at Thompson.

Max Zachem (Preston, Conn.) and Andy Jankowiak (Tonawanda, N.Y.) won the qualifying races.

The event marked the conclusion of the 2025 Race of Champions Modified Series season.

?? Up Next

The Race of Champions Championship Celebration will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, honoring the champions and participants from the 2025 season.

?? Full Unofficial Results & Event Info: www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/543705

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, Racing America, Airport Collision, Rocket Performance, Waddell Communications, Image X Design, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com, and Speed Sport. The 75th 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