Hirschman captures third win of year at Bud 150

August 18, 2001
1:03 PM EDT (1703 GMT)

THOMPSON, Conn. (Aug 16, 2001) - Tony Hirschman of Northampton, Penn., became the first Featherlite Modified Series, NASCAR Touring driver to score three victories this season with a dramatic victory in the Budweiser 150 at Thompson International Speedway.

Tony Hirschman with his family.

Hirschman, who led on two occasions for a total of 12 laps in the Key Materials Chevrolet, took the lead for good from John Blewett, III of Howell N.J. with just two circuits remaining in the 150-lap race.

Hirschman began the 148th lap in third position behind leader Blewett and Tommy Cravenho of Raynham, Mass. Cravenho made a bid for the lead under Blewett entering turn one. The pair, racing wheel to wheel, pushed up the track in turn two opening a hole for Hirschman. The former series Champion seized the opportunity and powered by both drivers to take over the top spot down the backstretch.

Blewett was able to recover quickly and finished second in the Mastrobattisto Contractors Chevrolet 1.2 seconds behind Hirschman. Cravenho, with damage to the right front suspension, limped home to a 14th place finish.

Blewett's second place finished moved him to the top spot in the series standings. He holds a slim 2-point margin over Mike Stefanik.

Ricky Miller of Agawam, Mass. had his best finish of the season in the Mardi Gras Chevrolet finishing third after starting 24th. Rick Fuller, winner of the April series event at Thompson, finished fourth in the Sheba Racing Chevrolet. Chris Kopec of Ware, Mass. Rounded out the Top-5 in the Diversified Metals/ Clean Sweep Chevrolet.

Jerry Marquis was the winner of the Bud Pole Award by setting fast time in qualifying. The Top-10 qualifiers drew for starting position. Robbie Summers drew the pole and led the first 14 laps of the race. On lap 15 Marquis, who started fourth, took the lead and held it until lap 51 when he was forced behind the wall with mechanical troubles.

Summers, Cravenho, Carl Pasteryak and Hirschman all took turns leading the event until Blewett went by Hirschman on lap 102. Blewett was unable to gain any distance on Hirschman, third place Miller and fourth place Cravenho.

Cravenho went by Miller on lap 110 and then Hirschman on the 125th circuit to set up the wild conclusion to the race. The next event for the Featherlite Modified Series is at the Stafford Motor Speedway Aug. 24, 2001.