There may be simply one thing about in Massachusetts that fits Matt Hirschman.
The motive force from Northampton, Pennsylvania isn‘t simply good on the 0.333-mile asphalt oval. He‘s nice.
That‘s not simply an arbitrary assertion. The stats again it up.
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Hirschman has gained each NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour occasion held at Seekonk since NASCAR’s oldest division returned to the ability in 2023. He‘s led 65 % of the laps run in these occasions and set quick time in qualifying for every race.
That makes Hirschman the apparent favourite getting into , the fourth race of the 2026 Modified Tour season.
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“It‘s a technical race monitor,” stated Hirschman, who has gained 11 occasions at Seekonk in numerous Modified divisions relationship again to 2017. “Once they did some paving work to the monitor about three years in the past, I believe it even made it extra technical than what it was previous to that.
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“Since then, I‘d say it‘s been an awesome monitor for me. We‘ve gained the vast majority of the Modified races up there since that change to the monitor was made.”
Matt Hirschman, driver of the No. 60 Bar Harbor Financial institution & Belief; Pee Dee Motorsports Modified, in the course of the New Smyrna Seaside Space Guests Bureau 200 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour throughout night time 2 of the World Collection of Asphalt Inventory Automotive Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, Florida on February 7, 2026. (Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)
That monitor work was a partial repave of the racing floor, primarily within the corners. Hirschman defined Seekonk was already a temperature- and line-sensitive monitor, which is what made the ability so technically demanding. The contemporary asphalt within the corners solely amplified these attributes, a growth that positioned Seekonk additional into Hirschman‘s wheelhouse.
Hirschman and the PeeDee Motorsports crew have gotten off to a gradual begin this yr. They’ve finishes of twelfth, twelfth and fifth via the primary three Modified Tour races of the season — not unhealthy by any means — however the crew anticipated extra.
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The ship was righted throughout the latest occasion at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, the place Hirschman gained the American Racer Pole Award and completed fifth.
The true take a look at will come Saturday night time at Seekonk, the place Hirschman and the Bar Harbor Financial institution & Belief-sponsored No. 60 crew anticipate to win.
“That was definitely a constructing block to hopefully extra success to come back,” Hirschman stated of the final outing. “The primary two races have been definitely under expectations and actually not disastrous, however undoubtedly not the form of efficiency we have been searching for.
“Being that our greatest run by successful the pole and operating within the prime 5 all through the race, there was definitely nonetheless some room for enchancment as a result of we didn‘t win the race, but it surely was undoubtedly a giant step in the best route.
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“That ought to give us some momentum and confidence again going to Seekonk, the place we’ve been so profitable.”
Matt Hirschman, driver of #60 Bar Harbor Financial institution & Belief; Pee Dee Motorsports Modified reacts in the course of the Icebreaker 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on April 12, 2025 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Rachel O‘Driscoll/NASCAR)
A win Saturday at Seekonk would put Hirschman in rarified air. Within the historical past of the Modified Tour, a driver has gained 4 or extra consecutive races on the similar monitor 11 occasions.
The names on that record — Justin Bonsignore, Reggie Ruggiero, Doug Coby, Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik, Steve Park, Jeff Fuller and Richie Evans — are among the many greatest to ever race Modifieds.
Hirschman is aware of he’s the favourite Saturday night time primarily based on his latest performances at Seekonk, however he had no downside declaring that the competitors degree on the Modified Tour is at an all-time excessive.
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Simply because he‘s gained the final three Modified Tour occasions at Seekonk doesn‘t imply he‘ll win once more Saturday, but it surely doesn‘t damage his possibilities, both.
“We‘ve gained three straight Whelen Modified races and swept all the season of Modified races held on the monitor final yr, so I don‘t suppose there may be any arguing we come into the race because the crew to beat,” Hirschman stated. “That basically doesn‘t imply something. Each race is totally different. Typically the format is totally different. Final yr there was the choice of adjusting tires in the course of the race. This yr there may be not.
“It‘s actually vital you’ve gotten the automobile the place it must be, as a result of if you need to make a pit cease for an adjustment, you may‘t repair it with a tire change. You‘d simply should make an adjustment to what you have already got, and at that time, it could be too late.”
