| Category | Modified racing |
|---|---|
| Country | United States & Canada |
| Region | Northeastern United States |
| Inaugural | 1994 |
| Classes | Modifieds, Sportsman, Late Models, Super Stocks, Dirt Sportsman, Street Stocks, Four Cylinders, 602 Asphalt Sportsman |
| Tires | Hoosier |
| Current champions | Matt Hirschman |
| Website | https://www.rocmodifiedseries.com/ |
| Current season | 2026 |
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.
History
The Al Gerber Trophy Race of Champions 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]
| Year | Name | Year | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Charlie Rudolph | 2014 | Chuck Hossfeld |
| 1995 | George Kent | 2015 | Matt Hirschman |
| 1996 | George Kent | 2016 | Patrick Emerling |
| 1997 | Chuck Hossfeld | 2017 | Mike Leaty |
| 1998 | J.R. Kent | 2018 | Chuck Hossfeld |
| 1999 | J.R. Kent | 2019 | Patrick Emerling |
| 2000 | George Kent | 2020 | Patrick Emerling |
| 2001 | George Kent | 2021 | Austin Beers |
| 2002 | George Kent | 2022 | Mike Leaty |
| 2003 | George Kent | 2023 | Zane Zeiner |
| 2004 | Tony Hanbury | 2024 | Zane Zeiner |
| 2005 | Matt Hirschman | 2025 | Matt Hirschman |
| 2006 | Earl Paules | ||
| 2007 | Pete Brittain | ||
| 2008 | Matt Hirschman | ||
| 2009 | Matt Hirschman | ||
| 2010 | Matt Hirschman | ||
| 2011 | Chuck Hossfeld | ||
| 2012 | Matt Hirschman | ||
| 2013 | Matt Hirschman |
| Driver | Wins | Driver | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Hirschman | 60 | Duane Delamarter | 1 |
| Chuck Hossfeld | 29 | Charlie Rudolph | 1 |
| George Kent | 22 | Tyler Rypkema | 1 |
| Patrick Emerling | 20 | Ken Woolley Jr. | 1 |
| Jan Leaty | 16 | Wilbur Hebing | 1 |
| Mike Leaty | 13 | John Markovic | 1 |
| Andy Jankowiak | 11 | Kory Rabenold | 1 |
| Sege Fidanza | 10 | Ted Christopher | 1 |
| Zane Zeiner | 10 | William Thomas | 1 |
| Eric Beers | 10 | Chris Ammon | 1 |
| T.J. Potrzebowski | 9 | Bill Woods | 1 |
| J.R. Kent | 9 | George Skora III | 1 |
| Pete Brittian | 6 | Brian Bowen | 1 |
| Tony Hanbury | 6 | Rick Fuller | 1 |
| Lee Sherwood | 4 | Tommy Catalano | 1 |
| Tom McGrath | 3 | Scott Lesher | 1 |
| Tyler Haydt | 3 | Doug Wolcott | 1 |
| Bill Putney | 3 | Daren Scherer | 1 |
| Jimmy Zacharias | 3 | Kyle Strohl | 1 |
| Erick Rudolph | 3 | Donny Lia | 1 |
| Earl Paules | 3 | Rick Woods | 1 |
| Kyle Ebersole | 2 | Bryan Sherwood | 1 |
| Tony Hirschman | 2 | Jimmy Blewett | 1 |
| Tim Mangus | 2 | Tim Arre | 1 |
| Rusty Smith | 2 | Bobby Holmes | 1 |
| Don Wagner | 2 | Tim Connolly | 1 |
| Austin Beers | 2 | Jeff Ulrich | 1 |
| Austin Kochenash | 2 | Mike Stefanik | 1 |
| Jack Ely | 2 | Danny Knoll Jr. | 1 |
| Jack Lutz | 2 | Ron Silk | 1 |
| Rick Kirkendall | 1 | ||
| Dave Pecko | 1 |
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.
| Year | Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Mike Bowman | |
| 2016 | Matt Sheppard | |
| 2015 | Stewart Friesen | |
| 2014 | Stewart Friesen | |
| 2013 | Stewart Friesen | |
| 2012 | Danny Johnson | |
| 2011 | Billy Decker | |
| 2010 | Stewart Friesen | |
| 2009 | Pat Ward | |
| 2008 | Pat Ward | |
| 2007 | South | Pat Ward |
| North | Ronnie Johnson | |
| NATIONAL | Pat Ward | |
| 2006 | South | Jimmy Horton |
| North | Mitch Gibbs | |
| NATIONAL | Alan Johnson | |
| 2005 | South | Jeff Strunk |
| North | Bobby Varin | |
| NATIONAL | Mitch Gibbs, Bobby Varin | |
The Al Gerber Trophy Race of Champions
The Al Gerber Trophy Race of Champions 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]
| Event No. | Year | Track | Car # | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1951 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | X | Hully Bunn |
| 2 | 1952 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Jim DeLaney | |
| 3 | 1953 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Ted Swaim | |
| 4 | 1954 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Frankie Schneider | |
| 5 | 1955 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Pete Corey | |
| 6 | 1956 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Dutch Hoag | |
| 7 | 1957 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Glenn Guthrie | |
| 8 | 1958 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Jim DeLaney | |
| 9 | 1959 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Jim DeLaney | |
| 10 | 1960 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Dutch Hoag | |
| 11 | 1961 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Bob Malzahn | |
| 12 | 1962 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Frankie Schneider | |
| 13 | 1963 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Dutch Hoag | |
| 14 | 1964 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Dirt) | Freddy Adam | |
| 15 | 1965 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) | Bill Slater | |
| 16 | 1966 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) | Will Cagle | |
| 17 | 1967 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) | Dutch Hoag | |
| 18 | 1968 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) | Dutch Hoag | |
| 19 | 1969 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) | Ray Hendrick | |
| 20 | 1970 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) | Merv Treichler | |
| 21 | 1971 | Langhorne 1.0mi (Paved) | Roger Treichler | |
| 22 | 1972 | Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) | 99 | Geoff Bodine |
| 23 | 1973 | Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) | 61 | Richie Evans |
| 24 | 1974 | Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) | 3 | Fred De Sarro |
| 25 | 1975 | Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) | Ray Hendrick | |
| 26 | 1976 | Trenton 1.5mi (Paved) | 6 | Maynard Troyer |
| 27 | 1977 | Pocono 2.5mi (Paved) | 6 | Maynard Troyer |
| 28 | 1978 | Pocono 2.5mi (Paved) | 1 | Geoff Bodine |
| 29 | 1979 | Pocono 2.5mi (Paved) | 61 | Richie Evans |
| 30 | 1980 | Pocono 2.5mi (Paved) | 61 | Richie Evans |
| 31 | 1981 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 26 | George Kent |
| 32 | 1982 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 5 | Greg Sacks |
| 33 | 1983 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 24 | Jimmy Spencer |
| 34 | 1984 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 69 | Brian Ross |
| 35 | 1985 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 12 | Brett Bodine |
| 36 | 1986 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 26 | George Kent |
| 37 | 1987 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 28 | George Brunnhoelzl |
| 38 | 1988 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 44 | Reggie Ruggiero |
| 39 | 1989 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 1 | Tony Hirschman |
| 40 | 1990 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 15 | Mike Stefanik |
| 41 | 1991 | Pocono .75mi (Paved) | 4 | Satch Worley |
| 42 | 1992 | Flemington .625mi (Paved) | 55 | Lenny Boyd |
| 43 | 1993 | Flemington .625mi (Paved) | 44 | Billy Pauch |
| 44 | 1994 | Flemington .625mi (Paved) | 14 | Tony Siscone |
| 45 | 1995 | Flemington .625mi (Paved) | 14 | John Blewett III |
| 46 | 1996 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 25 | Jan Leaty |
| 47 | 1997 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | Tony Hirschman | |
| 48 | 1998 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 77 | Sege Fidanza |
| 49 | 1999 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 22 | Chuck Hossfeld |
| 50 | 2000 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | George Kent Sr. | |
| 51 | 2001 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | George Kent Sr. | |
| 52 | 2002 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 93 | Tim Mangus |
| 53 | 2003 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | Sege Fidanza | |
| 54 | 2004 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 9 | Eric Beers |
| 55 | 2005 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 22 | Chuck Hossfeld |
| 56 | 2006 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 72 | T.J. Potrzebowski |
| 57 | 2007 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 6 | Jan Leaty |
| 58 | 2008 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 48 | Tony Hirschman |
| 59 | 2009 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 88 | Billy Putney |
| 60 | 2010 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 48 | Tony Hirschman |
| 61 | 2011 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | Zane Zeiner | |
| 62 | 2012 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| 63 | 2013 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| 64 | 2014 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | Chuck Hossfeld | |
| 65 | 2015 | Chemung .333mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| 66 | 2016 | Oswego .626mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| 67 | 2017 | Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| 68 | 2018 | Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| 69 | 2019 | Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| 70 | 2020 | Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| 71 | 2021 | Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) | 73 | Andy Jankowiak |
| 72[18] | 2022† | Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) | 14 | Jake Lutz |
| 73 [19] | 2023 | Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) | 07 | Patrick Emerling |
| 74[20] | 2024 | Lake Erie .375mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| 75[21] | 2025 | Thompson .625mi (Paved) | 60 | Matt Hirschman |
| † Postponed until 2025[22] | ||||
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Langhorne Racing shifted to Trenton". The New York Times. March 19, 1972. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Blain, Eddy (September 24, 1992). "Race of Champions brings out the best". The Intelligencer. p. B5. Retrieved July 31, 2024. – via NewspaperArchive
- ^ O'Brien, Dick (October 27, 1994). "ROC Finds a home in New Jersey". Syracuse Herald-Journal. p. C3. Retrieved July 31, 2024. – via NewspaperArchive
- ^ "Trail of Champions through Jennerstown". Leader Times. June 28, 1991. p. 7. Retrieved July 31, 2024. – via NewspaperArchive
- ^ "Hunt moves up". The Mount Airy News. June 17, 1992. p. 10A. Retrieved July 31, 2024. – via Google Books
- ^ O'Brien, Dick (April 11, 1996). "Fulton, Utica-Rome owner plays the field". Syracuse Herald-Journal. p. C4. Retrieved July 31, 2024. – via NewspaperArchive
- ^ Beebe, Michael (December 6, 1996). "Accident kills man credited in car-race rebirth". NY: The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Blain, Eddy (December 1, 2000). "Let's Go Racing". The Intelligencer. p. B2. Retrieved July 31, 2024. – via NewspaperArchive
- ^ Marquart, Chris (March 22, 2022). "Busy week for Weedsport Speedway; iRacing in Fulton". Geneva NY: Finger Lakes Times. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Modestiono, Lou (February 20, 2020). "2020 Race of Champions modified series schedule released". Quincy MA: The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Coors Light twin 125 final set for Tioga Speedway". The Daily Review. September 9, 1994. p. 8. Retrieved July 31, 2024. – via NewspaperArchive
- ^ Hill, John (April 13, 2005). "RoC-a-Bobby races from fifth to first and wins $4,000". The Post Standard. p. D8. Retrieved July 31, 2024. – via NewspaperArchive
- ^ "Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour Central". The Third Turn. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ "Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour Central/All-Time Wins List - The Third Turn". thethirdturn.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Central Turn". The Third Turn. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ "Race of Champions". www.rocmodifiedseries.com. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
- ^ "Newsmaker of the week: Jake Lutz". Area Auto Racing News. September 15, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Hirschman wins ninth Race of Champions". Speed Sport. September 23, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Brown, Jeff (October 16, 2025). "'Big Money Matt' builds on record books with tenth Race of Champions checkers". Short Track Scene. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ^ Evans, Zach (October 11, 2025). "Matt Hirschman Earns 'One For the Other Thumb' in 75th Race of Champions at Thompson". Racing America. Retrieved October 24, 2025.