Hirschman repeats as North-South Shootout champion

Matt Hirschman was the winner again in the North-South Shootout at Caraway Speedway. (Caraway Speedway photo)

SOPHIA — Matt Hirschman maintained his dominance with another victory in the North-South Shootout at Caraway Speedway.

Hirschman held off Paulie Hartwig III to one by more than one second Saturday night, capturing the event’s most high-profile race for the fifth year in a row. He has won the title 11 times overall.

The season-ending race card was full of twists across two nights of competition in the North-South Shootout’s 23rd edition.

Hirschman, a Pennsylvania driver, had to overcome a mishap from the race control when some teams mistakenly allowed some drivers to pit for an early tire change.

Third place went to Jack Baldwin, while Burt Myers and Kyle Scisco rounded out the top five. They were followed by Max Handley, Jimmy Wallace, Gary Putnam, Jeffrey Battle and Tyler Truex among the 23-driver field.

In Super Modifieds, Jon McKennedy claimed the victory across 60 laps, with a winning margin of less than a second on runner-up Tyler Shullick. Matt Swanson, Johnny Benson Jr. and Dave Shullick Jr. also held the next three spots.

Hartwig also was in action in the 602 Modifieds, notching a wire-to-wire victory in the 68-lap feature. Carter McMurray was the runner-up, followed by Sean McElearnery, Gabriel Saavedra and Cayden Lapcevich.

The U.S. Legends race Saturday was won by Austin Thompson, who was ahead of Ryan Zima, Spencer Bradshaw, Rhylee Hutchins and Maddox Hooper at the end of the 25-lap racing. A race Friday in the division had the same top five.

Luke Smith prevailed in the 40-lap Chargers race, edging Brody Duggins at the finish line. Greg Story, Corey Willson and Brandon Cox held the next three positions.

For Crown Vics, Adam Salter was the winner ahead of Chris Salter after they each had top times in respective qualifying heats. Bentley Black was third, ahead of TJ Gibson and Shelby Prather among 18 cars. Steven Collins, who was the track champion in the division, placed sixth.

The Vintage cars were separated by divisions, with John Lozyniak winning the Modifieds segment and Jonathan Fleming securing first place in the Sportsman segment.