EVANS MILLS, NY (June 29, 2026) – Paulie Hartwig III of Galloway, NJ, continued his rise through the Modified ranks Saturday night by charging from the 11th starting position to earn his first career Race of Champions Modified Series victory in the Bob Johnson Auto Group Rocket 76’er at Evans Mills Raceway Park.
Hartwig’s breakthrough victory did not come easily.
Standing between him and Victory Lane was one of the most accomplished Modified racers of the modern era, Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA.
Hirschman wasted little time taking command of the race, quickly moving past pole sitter Austin Beers of Northampton, PA and controlling the opening half of the event.
As the laps wound down, Hartwig methodically worked his way through the field before closing on the race leader just past the halfway point.
The battle for the lead became one of the highlights of the evening.
Hartwig worked the bottom groove while Hirschman maintained momentum on the outside, the pair racing side-by-side for several thrilling laps without either driver giving an inch. The crowd watched an old-school Modified battle unfold before Hartwig finally completed the pass and drove away to secure his first Race of Champions Modified Series victory.
“We’ve run this Series for several years now and this feels really good,” Hartwig said in Victory Lane. “To beat Matt (Hirschman) is incredible. We’ve been trying so hard. I need to thank my Mom and Dad for all of their support, my family, my team and all of our sponsors. This was a great race and I’m just excited we got it done here tonight.”
Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, NY also worked his way past Hirschman in the closing stages to finish second.
Hirschman completed the podium in third after leading the early portion of the race.
Austin Beers finished fourth after starting from the pole position.
Earlier in the evening, Hirschman set fast time in qualifying. Qualifying race victories were earned by Hirschman, Hartwig III and Emerling.
For Hartwig, the victory marks a milestone moment in his young career and adds his name to the growing list of Race of Champions Modified Series winners.
Up Next
The Race of Champions Modified Series heads to Lancaster Motorplex in Lancaster, NY for the Ol’ Boy Cup on Thursday, July 2.
Full Unofficial Results & Event Info: http://www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/619941
The Race of Champions is a premier sanctioning body for Modified and Stock Car racing on both asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events across New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Its primary marketing partners include Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tire, Flo Racing, Airport Collision, Waddell Communications, Image X Design, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com, and Speed Sport. The 76th Annual Race of Champions Weekend will take place later this year, continuing its tradition as the second-longest-running auto racing event in North America—second only to the Indianapolis 500.
For more information, contact;
Race of Champions Media at media@rocmodifiedseries.com
Follow us on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook; @RoCModSeries or visit our website: http://www.rocmodifiedseries.com