FRANKLIN, MA :: Matt Hirschman is a multi-time champion on the Race of Champions tour, as well as the son of five-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, Tony Hirschman.

RACE22.com: Why did you get started in racing?

Matt Hirschman: I grew up in racing with my dad racing. We always travelled as a family with a motorhome. We got away from doing this the last few years or whatever. But like coming to a race like this (the Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park) was tradition. Friday night we left for the weekend. Here for the weekend and it’s a two-day show. And then go back home Sunday after the races. It’s what we’ve always done. Like I said, we got away from this Tour stuff a bit recently, but it’s good to be back to doing this again.

R22: What race track do you wish was on the NWMT schedule that isn’t?

MH: Probably Richmond. Of a track that is a realistic, NASCAR place that we probably could be or should be, I’d say I’d like to run at Richmond. I did already get to run at Martinsville. But it would be nice to also be there. But like I said, probably Richmond would be the one cool place that is a realistic place too. It’s not out of the region for travels and whatever so I’d probably say Richmond.

R22: A lot of people have told me Richmond. What is it about Richmond that seems to suit the Modifieds?

MH: It used to be awesome there. My dad won at Richmond. And the cars look so cool going around that place. Plus you get the draft involved kind of like New Hampshire or whatever. They were great races. I don’t know why we are not there. But I’d probably say there.

There’s a lot of great short tracks. And really, the small quarters, thirds, three-eighth mile tracks are really my favorite tracks, but it would be really cool to get to go there.

R22: If money was no issue, what track around the world would you most want to race at?

MH: I don’t know. I think the Indianapolis 500’s probably the coolest race. So if you’re dreaming big it’s probably Indianapolis.

R22: Do you have any superstitions or routines that you do before each race?

MH: No superstitions. I don’t believe in any of that stuff. Peanuts or the color green or any of that stuff. Walking under ladders or whatever. I don’t believe in any of that stuff. I do a lot of things probably in routine just in life or whatever. When I find something that works for me I stick to it. That’s just kind of how I am. Nothing specific as far as really racing related before the race or whatever. Nothing particular.

R22: What do you usually eat before a race?

MH: Whatever I eat is usually good because my mom and my girlfriend are both good cooks. We always have good food so it’s always good stuff. I’m a big breakfast person. I always have to start a race morning with a good breakfast.

R22: What’s your favorite breakfast food?

MH: Probably pancakes.

R22: What’s a typical day like for you away from the race track?

MH: I really don’t get far away from racing. My dad and I run a speed shop where we sell cars and parts, so I’m pretty much talking to racers every day of the week. Like I said, racing is really the biggest part of my life. Through childhood and into adult life. And I hope that it continues to be through my whole life pretty much. It’s like a normal thing for us.

People probably think we are different because of the amount of travel we do. When you’re in racing you miss birthdays. You miss holidays. You miss what most other people do just doing the things you do. But this is what we do. We work, we travel and put a lot of hours in during the week. We don’t watch TV at night on the couch. We work on the race cars and that’s just what we’ve done the whole life.

R22: And finally if you were to check your iPod, what would be the last song you listened to?

MH: Don’t even have one. We’ve got XM and stuff like that in the vehicles, but not into that or iPads or smart phones or stuff like that.

I like all kinds of music. We’ve got XM in the shop and all the vehicles and we don’t have to deal with all the commercials and stuff.

R22: What’s the channel usually set to?

MH: I’m everywhere from 50s and 60s oldies to country to even the new stuff that you’d hear in the clubs and stuff. I’m all over with that. I’m pretty broad range.