The Ferris Mowers Race of Champions (RoC) Asphalt Modified Series Tour Fueled by Sunoco opened its 2016 season on Saturday night at Lehighton's Mahoning Valley Speedway with the "Break-The-Ice-75".

There was no question that the race, billed as the stars of RoC vs. the home track standouts, lived up to all it was touted to be as Eric Beers, a two-time track champion and leader in career wins, withheld the reigning and multi-time RoC titlist Matt Hirschman in a down-to-the wire win.Kris Graver, Don Wagner and Chuck Hossfeld rounded out the top five and ironically that was the same top finishers from a week ago for the Opening Night 35-lap feature."This was huge. It's been a long time since the RoC has been here and to be able to come out on top of the field of cars here from all the tough guys on the RoC Tour to the track regulars, it was a great race and an honor to have won it," said Beers, who earned $2800 for his 75-lap journey."I think it was great for the drivers and the fans that the (promoters) Santee family was able to bring in such a high class group like RoC."A draw of the top heat winners set the 26 car starting grid with Beers and Calvin Carroll sharing the front row. Prior to the start, the fans got a real treat as the field did a never-before 4-wide parade lap that was quite impressive.Hossfeld was the first to step up and challenge Beers, followed by Wagner. In the mix as well was Earl Paules, while Carroll made a great impression by hanging with the lead pack over the first 40 laps.After starting eighth, Hirschman entered the top five and was engaged in some tight quarters.Running most of his race on the outside, Hirschman finally shook free of the Hossfeld, Wagner, Paules and Carroll juggernaut and made his way up to Beers with 30 circuits complete.The battle was now on between the two titans in much the same fashion from a week earlier. Beers was keeping his car in a tight line close to the bottom leaving no choice but for Hirschman to run outside. That didn't seem to be a problem either as he was constantly pulling alongside and at other times in tow.While the pace was torrid, there came the issue of lapped traffic. Both drivers knew the outcome of getting by the slower cars could be the difference between winning and losing, especially for Beers.After the traffic issue was settled, the attention once again turned to the pressure of Hirschman going after Beers. At one point it looked as though the end of leading was about to come too when Hirschman got a great run off turn two and was able to look to the inside of the next corner.The Break-The-Ice-75 was originally slated to run on April 9 but was postponed due to weather. Heats went to Beers, Paules, Wagner and Jimmy Zacharias. Austin Kochenash won the consolation.Modified Feature Finish (75 Laps):1. Eric Beers, 2. Mat Hirschman, 3. Kris Graver, 4. Don Wagner, 5. Chuck Hossfeld, 6. Earl Paules, 7. Brian DeFebo, 8. Ton Hanbury, 9. Jimmy Zacharias, 10. Bryan Sherwood, 11. Bobby Jones, 12. Patrick Emerling, 13. Roger Coss, 14. Daren Scherer, 15. Tyler Rypkema, 16. Nick Baer, 17. Austin Kochenash, 18. TJ Potrzebowski, 19. Nick Pecko, 20. Terry Markovic, 21. Jack Ely, 22. Kyle Strohl, 23. Calvin Carroll, 24. Todd Baer, 25. Chris Risdale, 26. Lee Sharpsteen DNQ: John Markovic, Lou Strohl, Jack Ely, Glenn Slocum, Levi Arthur