Race of Champions (modified racing)

Last updated
Race of Champions
Race of champions, modified racing, logo, march 2018.png
CountryUnited States of America and Canada
Tire suppliersHoosier
Official website https://www.rocmodifiedseries.com/

The Race of Champions is a racing organization which sanctions eight different series on asphalt and dirt surfaces, and promotes an annual marquee racing weekend featuring one of the oldest continuing championship races in the United States.

Contents

History

The Race of Champions 250 originated in 1951 as the National Open on the dirt surfaced Langhorne Speedway in Middletown Township, Bucks County, near the borough of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, a northern suburb of Philadelphia. In order to secure the strongest modified field possible, promoters Al Gerber and Irv Fried guaranteed starting spots in the race to the track champions at many of the top short-tracks in the northeast. [1]

After the 1971 event the speedway was closed, and the race was rebranded the Race of Champions. The event was relocated first to Trenton Speedway in New Jersey, subsequently to Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania, and then back to New Jersey at the Flemington Speedway. [2] [3] [4] The process of awarding the guaranteed starting positions in the annual Race of Champions was replaced with the 'Trail of Champions', a touring series of special events held at venues throughout the northeast, and which crowned its own champion. [5] [6]

In 1996, promoters Alex Friesen and Andrew Harpell purchased the rights to the event from Al Gerber’s son Joe, and moved the race to the Oswego Speedway in New York. Later that year, Friesen was fatally injured in a snowmobile accident, and Harpell moved forward with plans to expand the business model to sanction races and touring series for other classes of race cars. [7] [8] [9] Going into the 2016 season, Joe Skotnicki, a former Super DIRTcar Series director, left his post with World Racing Group and purchased both the dirt and asphalt programs from Harpell. [10]

Race of Champions Touring Series

The Race of Champions Touring Series has grown to a family of stock car racing series on both dirt and asphalt including asphalt modifieds, dirt and asphalt sportsman, late models, super stock and the 4 cylinder dash. It was nominated for and won Best Touring Series on the 51's (which is an annual fan voted awards) for the 2017 season. In the 2019 season a TQ Midget Series was introduced into the Race of Champions Group. Andy Jankowiak became the inaugural series champion at Lake Erie Speedway. Also in 2019 the Race of Champions began experimenting with sim racing via iRacing.com one of the most well-known sim racing services. [11]

Asphalt Modified Series

The Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series was first developed by Harpell in 1994 as the New York Modified Series. [12] It was rebranded upon the creation of the Dirt Modified Tour in 2005. [13]

Asphalt Modified Champions [14]
YearNameYearName
1994 Charlie Rudolph 2014 Chuck Hossfeld
1995George Kent2015Matt Hirschman
1996George Kent2016 Patrick Emerling
1997 Chuck Hossfeld 2017Mike Leaty
1998J.R. Kent2018Chuck Hossfeld
1999J.R. Kent2019Patrick Emerling
2000George Kent2020Patrick Emerling
2001George Kent2021Austin Beers
2002George Kent2022Mike Leaty
2003George Kent2023Zane Zeiner
2004Tony Hanbury2024Zane Zeiner
2005 Matt Hirschman
2006Earl Paules
2007Pete Brittain
2008Matt Hirschman
2009Matt Hirschman
2010Matt Hirschman
2011 Chuck Hossfeld
2012Matt Hirschman
2013Matt Hirschman
Asphalt Modifieds: All time wins list [15]
DriverWinsDriverWins
Matt Hirschman 60Duane Delamarter1
Chuck Hossfeld 29 Charlie Rudolph 1
George Kent22Tyler Rypkema1
Patrick Emerling 20Ken Woolley Jr.1
Jan Leaty16Wilbur Hebing1
Mike Leaty13John Markovic1
Andy Jankowiak11Kory Rabenold1
Sege Fidanza10Ted Christopher1
Zane Zeiner10William Thomas1
Eric Beers10Chris Ammon1
T.J. Potrzebowski9Bill Woods1
J.R. Kent9George Skora III1
Pete Brittian6Brian Bowen1
Tony Hanbury6Rick Fuller1
Lee Sherwood4Tommy Catalano1
Tom McGrath3Scott Lesher1
Tyler Haydt3Doug Wolcott1
Bill Putney3Daren Scherer1
Jimmy Zacharias3Kyle Strohl1
Erick Rudolph 3 Donny Lia 1
Earl Paules3Rick Woods1
Kyle Ebersole2Bryan Sherwood1
Tony Hirschman 2 Jimmy Blewett 1
Tim Mangus2Tim Arre1
Rusty Smith2Bobby Holmes1
Don Wagner2Tim Connolly1
Austin Beers2Jeff Ulrich1
Austin Kochenash2 Mike Stefanik 1
Jack Ely2Danny Knoll Jr.1
Jack Lutz2Ron Silk1
Rick Kirkendall1
Dave Pecko1

Dirt Modified Series

The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour was formed in 2005 as an alternative for dirt modified and sportsman cars. [13] The Dirt 602 Sportsman Modified Series continues on, but the modified portion was disbanded in 2017.

Dirt Modified Champions [16]
YearDriver
2017Mike Bowman
2016Matt Sheppard
2015 Stewart Friesen
2014Stewart Friesen
2013Stewart Friesen
2012 Danny Johnson
2011 Billy Decker
2010Stewart Friesen
2009 Pat Ward
2008Pat Ward
2007SouthPat Ward
NorthRonnie Johnson
NATIONALPat Ward
2006South Jimmy Horton
North Mitch Gibbs
NATIONAL Alan Johnson
2005South Jeff Strunk
North Bobby Varin
NATIONALMitch Gibbs, Bobby Varin

The Race of Champions 250

The Race of Champions 250 is the yearly stock car race using modified race cars and is the direct descendant of the National Open. Although the first 14 open championships were held on a dirt surface, Langhorne Speedway was paved in 1965, and the event has since been held on asphalt surfaces. The tracks hosting the event have ranged from the .375 mile Lake Erie Speedway in Erie, Pennsylvania to the 2.5 mile Pocono Raceway tri-oval. [9]

Race of Champions 250: Winners' list [17]
Event No.YearTrackCar #Winner
11951 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Hully Bunn
21952 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Jim DeLaney
31953 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Ted Swaim
41954 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Frankie Schneider
51955 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Pete Corey
61956 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Dutch Hoag
71957 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Glenn Guthrie
81958 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Jim DeLaney
91959 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Jim DeLaney
101960 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Dutch Hoag
111961 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Bob Malzahn
121962 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Frankie Schneider
131963 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Dutch Hoag
141964 Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) Freddy Adam
151965 Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) Bill Slater
161966 Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) Will Cagle
171967 Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) Dutch Hoag
181968 Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) Dutch Hoag
191969 Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) Ray Hendrick
201970 Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) Merv Treichler
211971 Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) Roger Treichler
221972 Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) 99 Geoff Bodine
231973 Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) 61 Richie Evans
241974 Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) 3 Fred De Sarro
251975 Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) Ray Hendrick
261976 Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) 6 Maynard Troyer
271977 Pocono 2.5mi (Paved) 6 Maynard Troyer
281978 Pocono 2.5mi (Paved) 1 Geoff Bodine
291979 Pocono 2.5mi (Paved) 61 Richie Evans
301980 Pocono 2.5mi (Paved) 61 Richie Evans
311981 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 26George Kent
321982 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 5 Greg Sacks
331983 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 24 Jimmy Spencer
341984 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 69 Brian Ross
351985 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 12 Brett Bodine
361986 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 26George Kent
371987 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 28George Brunnhoelzl
381988 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 44 Reggie Ruggiero
391989 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 1 Tony Hirschman
401990 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 15 Mike Stefanik
411991 Pocono .75mi (Paved) 4 Satch Worley
421992 Flemington .625mi (Paved) 55Lenny Boyd
431993 Flemington .625mi (Paved) 44 Billy Pauch
441994 Flemington .625mi (Paved) 14 Tony Siscone
451995 Flemington .625mi (Paved) 14 John Blewett III
461996 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 25Jan Leaty
471997 Oswego .626mi (Paved) Tony Hirschman
481998 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 77Sege Fidanza
491999 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 22 Chuck Hossfeld
502000 Oswego .626mi (Paved) George Kent Sr.
512001 Oswego .626mi (Paved) George Kent Sr.
522002 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 93Tim Mangus
532003 Oswego .626mi (Paved) Sege Fidanza
542004 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 9Eric Beers
552005 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 22 Chuck Hossfeld
562006 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 72T.J. Potrzebowski
572007 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 6Jan Leaty
582008 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 48Tony Hirschman
592009 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 88Billy Putney
602010 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 48Tony Hirschman
612011 Oswego .626mi (Paved) Zane Zeiner
622012 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 60 Matt Hirschman
632013 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 60Matt Hirschman
642014 Oswego .626mi (Paved) Chuck Hossfeld
652015 Chemung .333mi (Paved) 60Matt Hirschman
662016 Oswego .626mi (Paved) 60Matt Hirschman
672017 Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) 60Matt Hirschman
682018 Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) 60Matt Hirschman
692019 Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) 60Matt Hirschman
702020 Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) 60Matt Hirschman
712021 Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) 73 Andy Jankowiak
722022 Lancaster .625 mi (Paved) 60Matt Hirschman
73 [18] 2023 Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) 07 Patrick Emerling
74 [19] 2024 Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) 60Matt Hirschman

References

  1. O'Brien, Dick (September 22, 2022). "Race of Champions 250 set for Lake Erie Speedway this weekend". Syracuse, NY: The Post-Standard . Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  2. "Langhorne Racing shifted to Trenton". The New York Times. March 19, 1972. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  3. Blain, Eddy (September 24, 1992). "Race of Champions brings out the best". The Intelligencer . Doylestown PA. p. B5. Retrieved July 31, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  4. O'Brien, Dick (October 27, 1994). "ROC Finds a home in New Jersey". Syracuse Herald-Journal . NY. p. C3. Retrieved July 31, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  5. "Trail of Champions through Jennerstown". Leader Times . Kittanning PA. June 28, 1991. p. 7. Retrieved July 31, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  6. "Hunt moves up". The Mount Airy News . NC. June 17, 1992. p. 10A. Retrieved July 31, 2024 via Google Books.
  7. O'Brien, Dick (April 11, 1996). "Fulton, Utica-Rome owner plays the field". Syracuse Herald-Journal . NY. p. C4. Retrieved July 31, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  8. Beebe, Michael (December 6, 1996). "Accident kills man credited in car-race rebirth". NY: The Buffalo News . Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Blain, Eddy (December 1, 2000). "Let's Go Racing". The Intelligencer . Doylestown PA. p. B2. Retrieved July 31, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  10. Marquart, Chris (March 22, 2022). "Busy week for Weedsport Speedway; iRacing in Fulton". Geneva NY: Finger Lakes Times . Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  11. Modestiono, Lou (February 20, 2020). "2020 Race of Champions modified series schedule released". Quincy MA: The Patriot Ledger . Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  12. "Coors Light twin 125 final set for Tioga Speedway". The Daily Review . Tonawanda PA. September 9, 1994. p. 8. Retrieved July 31, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  13. 1 2 Hill, John (April 13, 2005). "RoC-a-Bobby races from fifth to first and wins $4,000". The Post Standard . Syracuse NY. p. D8. Retrieved July 31, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  14. "Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour Central". The Third Turn. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  15. "Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour Central/All-Time Wins List - The Third Turn". thethirdturn.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  16. "Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Central Turn". The Third Turn. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  17. "Race of Champions". www.rocmodifiedseries.com. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
  18. "Patrick Emerling Scores First-Ever Race of Champions 250 Victory in 73rd Annual Lucas Oil Race of Champions as Zane Zeiner Inches Closer to Series Crown". Speedway Digest. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  19. "Hirschman wins ninth Race of Champions". Speed Sport . September 23, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2025.