RPW Exclusive: It’s Time For Pre-Season Rankings Of The Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series
Column By: STEPHEN DURHAM / RPW – DERRY, NH – It has been a long winter here in New England, but we’re in the final week of March and racing season is upon us.
Drivers make changes from the previous year, whether it is a new chassis, new engine, or new teams. We all can wonder, and begin to predict who will be the drivers to beat in 2025.
In the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, that guy has been Matt Hirschman, and not just last year, since 2020. Can anyone dethrone him as champion? Does one of the young drivers like Teddy Hodgdon, George Bessette Jr, or newcomer Luke Baldwin make a run at the championship?
Here is a preview to the coming season for the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, as they kick off this weekend at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
Matt Hirschman:
There’s a good reason why he’s earned the nickname “Big Money Matt”, whenever he shows up, he is a strong favorite to win, and if not, dominate a race. Hirschman won three times in 2024, New London-Waterford Speedbowl, Stafford, and Seekonk in the fall. In all 8 races on the season, he finished in the top 10, all 8 times. The only one on the series to do so. Hirschman didn’t finish in the top 5 the first three races, but in the final five races, he won three of them or finished second in the other two. Simply, how do you compete with that or slow him down?
Woody Pitkat:
For Pitkat, it was a strong season with the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, winning at Star Speedway in September, with four top 5s, and six top 10s. Pitkat finished the season 72 points behind Hirschman, with two races sticking out last year where Hirschman pulled away. A DNF at Seekonk in June and a 16th place finish at Thompson in October left points on the table. Pitkat is excited for the new season as he teams up with Jett Motorsports for 8 of 10 races, while racing for Holmes Motorsports at Stafford.
Stephen Kopcik:
Kopcik kicked off the 2024 season on the right foot, winning the first race on the season at Thunder Road. Kopcik finished the season 1 point behind Pitkat in 3rd. Along with his win, he had five top 5s, and five top 10s. Kopcik thorn in the side last year was Seekonk and Stafford Fall Final, where he lost some ground to Pitkat for 2nd in points. Expect Kopcik to make a strong run this coming weekend at Thompson, where he finished 4th in October.
Ronnie Williams:
Former Monaco Modified champion, Ronnie Williams had a strong season, coming home fourth in the championship standings.For Williams, he came home with one top 5 at Stafford finishing 2nd behind Hirschman, along with six top 10s on the year. It was a tight point battle between 2nd place back to 5th place, as Williams finished 7 points behind Kopcik. Williams last win came in 2023 at Thunder Road, expect the 2019 champion to make a strong run again in 2025.
Teddy Hodgdon:
Another young hot-shoe on the series will look to build on his notes from 2024, to have a strong season in 2025. Hodgon picked up his first career Monaco Modified Tri-Series win at Seekonk in June. Hodgdon also came home with an additional top 5 at Thunder Road, with five top 10s on the season. Hodgon finished the season 3 points behind Williams.
On The Radar
OTR Jake Johnson: Jake Johnson will be teaming up with JMA motorsports for a few select races in the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series. A winner last year at White Mountain Motorsports park with the series, will make Johnson a contender when he shows up to the track. JMA has had strong contenders in the past, including Kyle Bonsignore and Mike Christopher Jr last year in select races.
OTR Luke Baldwin: Luke Baldwin will be teaming up with Ryan Preece to contend on the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series in 2025. Baldwin, a champion on the SMART Tour, will look to come to New England and compete for a championship, as their plans are to run full-time with the series.
OTR George Bessette Jr: Bessette Jr will be joining the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series full-time in 2025. Bessette, another young up and coming driver, made three starts with the series in 2024, getting one top 5 at Star Speedway, and also three top 10s. Expect Bessette to make a run for the top of the championship standings this year. Heading into Thompson, Bessette finished 6th in October.
The Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series gets their season rolling this weekend at Thompson with the Icebreaker Weekend. The series has a 12 race schedule in place for 2025, with visits to Thunder Road, White Mountain Motorsports Park, Seekonk, Stafford Motor Speedway, Star Speedway, and New London-Waterford Speedbowl. Check back in May for an update on these power rankings!
