Matt Hirschman, right, celebrates another victory in the North-South Shootout. (Courtesy photo)
SOPHIA – Matt Hirschman added to his championship haul in the North-South Shootout.
Hirschman, a driver from Pennsylvania, became an eight-time winner of the 20-year event with Saturday’s victory at Caraway Speedway.
Burt Myers of Winston-Salem placed second, while fast qualifier Patrick Emerling, a New Yorker, was third. Emerling’s qualifying team was 15.919 seconds, edging Hirschman, Kyle Scisco, Caleb Heady and Brian Loftin.
Jimmy Blewett briefly led the 125-lap feature, while Myers held the front spot for 43 laps.
Following a caution that ended the race for Jeremy Gerstner, Spencer Davis merged in the front.
By the 50th lap, Hirschman was in the lead.
A nine-car crash on the 98th lap created the need for another restart. Despite pressure from Jimmy Blewett and a late challenge from Myers, Hirschman maintained the front position.
Hirschman collected the $7,500 top price for bonus earnings for total winnings of $10,900.
Heady ended up fourth and Ronnie Williams was sixth. The next five consisted of Blewett, Davis, Doug Coby, Gary Putnam, Jason Myers and Joey Payne. Coby, a Connecticut driver, was in his first race at Caraway Speedway.
In the 602 Modifieds, pole sitter Lee Jeffreys was the winner of the 50-lap feature, never relinquishing the lead.
He won during the North-South Shootout for the second time. He drove a car previous guided by his father, Robert Jeffreys.
Josh Lowder was the runner-up, followed by Billy Gregg, Devin Steel and Paulie Hartwig III.
The race included several teenagers and even a pre-teen as Hartwig is 11.
On the CARS Tour, Jared Fryar claimed the Late Model event. In the 100-lap Pro Late Models feature, Austin McDonald was the winner.
