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AUSTIN BEERS GOES FROM LAST TO VICTORY LANE IN THE “BUNNY HOP 75” AT MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY IN RACE OF CHAMPIONS MODIFIED SERIES OPENER

Austin Beers of Northampton, PA, delivered an electrifying performance to open the 2025 Race of Champions Modified Series season, winning the “Bunny Hop 75” at Mahoning Valley Speedway after starting deep in the field.

Beers started 27th and worked his way through the field in the caution-filled main event, ultimately taking the lead from Lou Strohl of Palmerton, PA, in the closing laps to score his third career Race of Champions Series victory—and his first at his home track.

“This was a big win for us,” said Beers in victory lane. “It’s definitely my most memorable Race of Champions victory. I need to thank the Zacharias family, my family, and our crew. We battled fuel issues all day and had to change the fuel pump. Everyone worked so hard—this is a huge way to kick off the season.”

Paulie Hartwig III of Galloway, NJ, led the early laps from the pole position before Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, took over the top spot. Hirschman looked poised for another RoC victory before a spin following contact with Jack Ely of Northampton, PA, ended his charge.

Blake Barney of Jackson, NJ, briefly led on a restart before Strohl moved to the front. Strohl held the lead until Beers executed a clean pass for the win.

Top 5 – Bunny Hop 75 at Mahoning Valley Speedway

Austin Beers – Northampton, PA
Lou Strohl – Palmerton, PA
Blake Barney – Jackson, NJ
Ron Silk – Norwalk, CT
Daren Scherer – Binghamton, NY

Hirschman posted the fastest lap in group qualifying. Heat race wins went to Hirschman, Ely, Hartwig, and Roger Coss of Lafayette, NJ.

Next Events

The Race of Champions “Family of Series” returns on Friday, May 9 for the Dirt 602 Sportsman Modified Series season opener at Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario, Canada.

The Race of Champions Modified Series resumes on Saturday, May 10 at Chemung Speedrome in Chemung, NY.

?? Full unofficial results and more information available at:
?? www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/543993

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, Racing America, Airport Collision, Rocket Performance, Waddell Communications, Image X Design, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com, and Speed Sport. The 75th 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: www.rocmodifiedseries.com

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