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MVS: Champions crowned after emotional night

Kyle Strohl fired off from the front row and quickly took command of the Modified feature, showing the same calm confidence that carried him all season.

Matt Hirschman settled in right behind him, keeping the pressure on while the rest of the field sorted itself out. Bobby Jones, Nick Baer and Gunner Zeiner all battled tightly for position before Lou Strohl’s spin brought out the first caution of the night.

On the restart, Strohl got a strong launch, but Hirschman stayed glued to his bumper, searching the outside line for an opening. When Mark Miller’s spin reset the field, Hirschman took full advantage.

As the green waved again, he powered to the outside of Strohl and completed a bold, clean pass that had fans on their feet. Once out front, Hirschman held steady through multiple cautions, his smooth, consistent line carrying him to the checkered flag and the Modified feature win.

Strohl finished second, but still celebrated in victory as the 2025 Modified track champion. Baer placed third, followed by Lou Strohl and Zeiner.

Before the Late Model race even found its rhythm, championship tension boiled over. Brian Romig Jr., feeling the heat of the title chase, made heavy contact with Marc Aigeldinger heading into turn three, sending the contender spinning.

Under caution, Romig Jr. drove toward Aigeldinger’s car in frustration, drawing an immediate disqualification from officials and a roar from the crowd.

Once the track was cleared, Geno Steigerwalt took charge out front and never looked back, leading every lap of the feature. Aigeldinger, despite the early setback, regrouped and drove patiently through the field to finish fourth — enough to secure the 2025 Late Model points championship. At the checkers, it was Steigerwalt first, followed by Brian Romig Sr., Dennis Wenner, Aigeldinger and Ryan Rochelle.

Cody Geist and Josh Kuronya led the Street Stock field to green before Geist grabbed the early advantage. Behind him, Jon Moser methodically picked off cars, threading through traffic to position himself for a run at the front.

After a mid-race caution bunched the field, Moser and Geist went door-to-door in an extended, crowd-pleasing duel. The closing laps saw the pair trade the lead multiple times, with Brandon Christman close behind waiting to pounce.

Coming to the checkered, Geist looked poised for the win — until Moser dove low off turn four and edged ahead by inches at the line. The thrilling finish brought fans to their feet as Moser claimed the victory, followed by Geist, Christman, Frankie Althouse and Jill Snyder.

The Hobby Stock feature kicked off with James Tout leading before early cautions slowed the pace.

Shayne Geist — forced to the rear after a flat tire — began a furious charge through the field, slicing through traffic with determined precision.

By mid-race, he had reeled in leader Travis Solomon, and soon powered past to take control. Geist held strong through the final restart and pulled away to the checkered flag, completing a stunning drive from the back to victory — and securing the 2025 Hobby Stock championship. Henry, Jake Kibler, Dave Kerr and Solomon rounded out the top five.

In Pro 4 action, Bobby Kibler Jr. capped a dominant season in fitting fashion. He jumped out front early, led every lap and cruised to his 10th win of the year, locking up the 2025 points title. Jason Finken finished second, followed by Tyler Stangle, Terry Peters and Rich Pursell.

Tyler Wagner stole the show in the TQ feature, powering past early leader Josh Patterson and keeping control through traffic and late restarts to seal the win. Patterson was second, with Geo S., Kyle Taraska and Charlie S. completing the top five.

In the NAARA 20-lap showdown, Gary Hallman held off a hard-charging Mike Garris and newcomer Rob Laskowski in a clean, side-by-side fight to the finish. Hallman’s steady drive carried him to victory lane ahead of Laskowski, Garris and rookie Nick Simon.

Modified (75 laps)

1. Matt Hirschman, 2. Kyle Strohl, 3. Nick Baer, 4. Lou Strohl, 5. Gunner Zeiner, 6. Austin Kochenash, 7. Brian DeFebo, 8. Rod Snyder, 9. Mark Miller, 10. Bobby Jones, 11. Nick Schaeffer, 12. Zane Zeiner.

Late Model (25 laps)

1. Geno Steigerwalt, 2. Brian Romig Sr., 3. Dennis Wenner, 4. Marc Aigeldinger, 5. Ryan Rochelle, 6. Rich Cooper, 7. Seth Vanfossen, 8. Michael Delong, 9. Brian Romig Jr.

Street Stock (50 laps)

1. Jon Moser, 2. Cody Geist, 3. Brandon Christman, 4. Frankie Althouse, 5. Jill Snyder, 6. Jake Boehm, 7. Adam Steigerwalt, 8. Thomas Flanagan, 9. Jamie Smith, 10. Randy Green, 11. Logan Boyer, 12. Josh Kuronya, 13. TJ Kemmerer, 14. Geary Reinheimer, 15. Stacey Brown, 16. Chase Hoffman.

Hobby Stock (40 laps)

1. Shayne Geist, 2. Jeremy Henry, 3. Jake Kibler, 4. Dave Kerr, 5. Travis Solomon, 6. Sarabeth Mesko, 7. Arland Moyer Jr., 8. Aaron Moyer, 9. Cody Geist, 10. James Tout.

Pro 4 (20 laps)

1. Bobby Kibler Jr., 2. Jason Finken, 3. Tyler Stangle, 4. Terry Peters, 5. Rich Pursell, 6. Ron Pierson Jr., 7. Rob Derfler, 8. Kadie Pursell.

TQ (20 laps)

1. Tyler Wagner, 2. Josh Patterson, 3. Geo S., 4. Kyle Taraska, 5. Charlie S., 6. Jasper Ziegafuse, 7. Lexi Przybylinski, 8. Ken Hirt, 9. Ozzy Carlino, 10. Howard Boss.

NAARA (20 laps)

1. Gary Hallman, 2. Rob Laskowski, 3. Mike Garris, 4. Nick Simon.

Matt Hirschman captured the Modified feature Saturday at Mahoning Valley Speedway. GAVIN KESTER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Racers compete in the 20-lap TQ event at Mahoning Valley Speedway this past Saturday. GAVIN KESTER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS