Tony Hirschman Jr

Tony Hirschman Jr is a New England household name when it comes to Modified racing. He is a five-time
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (1995-96, 1999, 2004-05) champion during eras when a majority of the schedule was held at New England tracks. He is one of three drivers to win at least 5 championships, along with Doug Coby (6) and Mike Stefanik (7). His 41 poles rank second all-time. He was the third-winningest driver with 35 wins when he retired. 22 of his series wins came in New England at New
Hampshire, Stafford, Star, and Thompson.

He was the 1991 NASCAR Busch North Series Rookie of the Year. He won at Oxford Plains in 1992, and a pole in 1993 at Monadnock.

He won several major victories in the region: a 300 lapper at Stafford in 1999, the 2003 Thompson 300, and the 2005 Spring Sizzler. He won 7 times at New Hampshire in 1996, 1999, and 2001 – only Mike Stefanik has more at NHMS in a modified car.. He won his first championship by 3 points over Steve Park, driving for Hall of Famer Lenny Boehler. His only win of the year was at Nazareth. He repeated in 1996 with Ole Blue, the third consecutive and most recent championship for Boehler Racing Enterprises. He won 3 times at Loudon in 1996.

Hirschman won his third championship in 1999, driving for Gary Cretty. He led the series with 6 wins and had a career-best 4.5 average finish. He won at Jennerstown, Loudon, Thompson, and Stafford. He joined Bob & Tom Kehley’s No. 48 in 2001. He won at Richmond, Loudon, and Thompson. 2003 saw a pair of wins at Thompson. 2004 was a return to championship form with wins at Stafford, Lake Erie, and Thompson. 2005 was his final championship with wins at Stafford, Jennerstown, and Thompson.

He was named the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Most Popular Driver in 2005-06. He retired from driving in 2013 and has remained active in the sport with his son Matt’s current success.

Hirschman was named one of the 50 Greatest Modified Drivers at Stafford, NASCAR’s Top 10 Modified Drivers (2003) and NASCAR’s 40 Greatest Modified Tour Drivers (2025).