ASHEBORO, N.C. – Matt Hirschman decided to take the long way to his seventh John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout presented in memory of Charles Kepley victory Saturday at Caraway Speedway.
Hirschman qualified on the pole Friday for the 150-lap tour-type modified that annually pits the best drivers from the North and South against one another. However, rather than start from the pole, Hirschman opted to start at the tail in an effort to earn a $2,000 bonus.
The gamble ended up paying off. Hirschman was able to take the lead from Jimmy Blewett during a restart with seven laps left when Blewett got sideways coming out of turn two. Hirschman blew around him on the outside and led the final seven laps en route to the victory.
With the addition of the $2,000 bonus, Hirschman took home more than $9,000 for his efforts Saturday.
“Late in the race it’s tough getting off that corner (turn two). That’s how I won the race here in the spring (SMART Modified Tour),” Hirschman said. “It’s tough getting off there. You obviously want to protect the bottom but it’s tough to get grip up off of that corner. He slipped enough to where I was able to keep my foot in it and carry my speed around him.”
Blewett settled for second in the race named for his late brother. Caleb Heady was third, followed by Kyle Scisco and Burt Myers.