Q: What does it mean to you to have won the inaugural SCCT points championship?

Hirst: It’s really special. (Promoters) Scott and Kami (Russell) put together a great series, with the support of passionate guys like Matt Wood and David Abreu. It was really cool to see it all come together like it did.

We may not have been able to pick up a win with the series, but we stood on the podium in 11 of the 13 races and just used consistency to make it happen. I think the fact that we won the championship and did so without picking up a win really shows just how tough that series was. There was eight or nine different winners to start the season off and when you have an average car count of around 42 cars per show … that says a lot about what that entire group was able to do last year.

I’ve got the trophy sitting in my living room and to look at it, know it’s the first one and see my name on it, that’s something that makes me smile and hopefully it’s the start of a lot of history to come for the whole tour.

Q: Even though you’re happy with last year, you’re not sitting down though. You’re tackling an even bigger challenge this season, right?

Hirst: Yes, we are. We’re actually going to chase both the SCCT and NARC 410 (King of the West) titles this year, and it’s really great to see that both tours have worked together on their scheduling this year to be able to make something like that possible for the drivers out here on the West Coast.

Q: You have a strong bond with the Roth family and the whole No. 83 crew. What does it mean to continue to drive for them and build on the deep history they have in racing on the West Coast?

Hirst: I can’t thank Dennis and Teresa enough for everything they’ve done for me over the years. Todd Ventura has been a big part of our combined success as well. They’ve been in the sport for more than 25 years and have helped so many people not just to race, but to further their careers – myself included.

They’ve just been a big part of what racing is out here, and to be a part of their organization has been pretty cool, if you ask me. They always give their drivers everything they need to go out and be successful, and then they expect great things of you, as they should. I’ve loved out partnership and hope to continue it for many more years. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.

Q: Have you ever considered stepping outside of California and possibly going on tour nationally with the World of Outlaws, if the situation was right?

Hirst: The way my life has gone, with getting married (to longtime girlfriend Amy) and having a kid (Emma, last May) … I’m pretty happy sticking around California and helping my state to grow, helping the sprint car scene out here to become something that’s potent and can contend with anyone on a national scale.

All of us out here race strong when the Outlaws come to town and I feel like we’ve shown well over the years. When they come out here, I want it to be like when they go to Pennsylvania – I want people to say that they Outlaws are racing against the best and I want our California contingent to be considered as some of the best anywhere in the country.

In 2010 I went and ran the ASCS (National Tour) deal with Gary Perkins, and a couple years ago Dennis and Todd asked me to run the Outlaw car, and after about two weeks I realized it just wasn’t in my cards. My wife and I wanted to start a family, and now I’m really enjoying being a dad. I enjoy the family aspect as much as I do the racing side.

To be able to combine both of those, to me, is everything I could really ask for and I’m content with that.