Submitted by Robb Thomas
(Reynoldsville, Pa) July 24, 2010 –To say the weather has been uncooperative this season at the Hummingbird Speedway would be an understatement. Several shows have been cancelled due to rain, and much like last week, this week’s show was halted by severe weather. On tap at the bullring was a full five division regular show as well as the completion of last weeks Street Stock feature and make up feature events for the Limited Late Models, Pure Stocks and Front Wheel Drive 4 Cylinders. Several new winners found victory lane in the make up features as Ryan Hess (Pure Stocks), Eric Moore (Limited Late Models) and Doug Surra (FWD 4 Cylinders) picked up their first feature wins, while Dan Smeal added to his win total in the Street Stocks.
The night started off with the Street Stocks returning to the track to complete their feature that was on the track last week when the rains hit. Fifteen laps remained in what would turn out to be one the most exciting finishes of the year. Leading feature winner Joe Kot led the field to the green with Jim “The Animal” Bloom on his outside. Kot would take the lead and begin to open up quite an advantage as Dom Surra and Bob Rosman worked their way around Bloom on the start. While Kot was pulling away from the field, thirteenth place starter Dan Smeal was working his way to the front, and used the low line to gain the fourth position from Bloom. Surra and Rosman were racing hard for second when Rosman took the spot on the low side of turn one and two, there was contact that resulted in a flat left rear tire for Rosman and a damaged hood for Surra. Rosman headed to the pits, as the #44 of Smeal gained the second spot from Surra and began to set his sights on Kot for the race lead. Kot had opened up a large lead, but that lead was erased when the caution flew for a spinning Brandon Connor. The restart put Smeal right on Kots’ rear bumper, and set up a duel to the finish. Kot took the lead on the restart with Smeal all over him. Smeal was looking low at both ends of the speedway, hounding the leader as the laps were winding down. Kot and Smeal would run side by side several times during the final few laps with Kot able to power back into the lead on the exit of the turns. As they crossed the line with two laps to go, the pair were side by side again, and would continue that way as they took the white flag. Kot was on the high side, with Smeal on the bottom as they entered turn one on the final lap. Smeal was able to gain a half a car length advantage as the pair raced side by side down the backstretch and in to turn three. The lead pair exited turn four door handle to door handle, and it was a drag race to the checkered flag. Smeal was able to maintain the slim advantage and crossed the line to take the win by a nose with Kot right by his side! The victory was Smeals’ third win of the season and it was a race that will be remember by all for a long time to come! Following Smeal and Kot across the line to round out the top five were Gary Little, Jeff Mease and Jim Bloom.
The Limited Late Model make up feature was next on the track with hot shoes Luke Hoffner and Cody Schultz on the front row. The green flag flew and the field flew into turn one. Hoffner and Schultz got together in turn one, sliding up the track allowing second row starters Eric Moore and Denny Fenton to slip by into the top two positions with John Chesnalavich right behind them. Hoffner quickly worked his way back around Chesnalavich for third as Fenton was looking under Moore for the lead. Contact was made between Fenton and Hoffner in turn three resulting in Fenton spinning in front of the field. The caution was charged to Fenton who was placed at the rear of the field, while it was ruled that Hoffner would retain his position as he didn’t stop on the track. Thirteenth place starter Dwayne Brooks was on the move and had worked his way into the top five and was challenging Schultz for third. Several cautions would slow the event and shuffle the field through the second half of the race. Each restart would see Moore power away to maintain his lead. Brooks was working the low side of the speedway and made his way around Hoffner into second. Hoffner would spin in turn two on the next lap and took a hard hit after the spin from Denny Draisma. Both drivers were ok, but both cars received severe damage. Out front, Moore was the class of the field as he once again powered away on the restart as the #1B of Brooks spun exiting turn 4. As the laps wound down, Moore began to stretch his lead as Chesnalavich was holding off the charges of Bobby McMillen for the second spot. When the checkered flag flew, it was Moore picking up his first win of the season in commanding fashion with Chesnalavich, McMillen, Brooks, and Rich Womeldorf rounding out the top five.
The Pure Stock make up feature was up next with Justin Kanouff and Dustin Challingsworth leading the field to the green flag. Leading feature winner Kyle Shannon was starting scratch on the field after recording three wins in a row in previous weeks. On the start, Kanouff shot into the lead with third place starter Matt Heindl settling in to second and Ryan Hess following in to third. Kanouff would lead the early portion of the race as the field jockeyed for position behind him. A quick caution would erase the lead that Kanouff had gained putting Hess right behind him for the restart. Hess got a great run out of turn two and the pair were side by side as they entered turn three. Hess powered out of turn four and into the lead as the midway point of the race passed. With the laps winding down, Hess continued to lead as Mike Calhoun was making his presence known taking the third position from Heindl and the second position from Kanouff a lap later. Once in second Calhoun quickly reeled in Hess and began challenging for the lead as the white flag flew. Calhoun made one last charge on the final lap but Hess turned away the challenge and went on the earn his first career feature victory! The top five at the line were Hess, Calhoun, Heindl, Zach Gustafson, and Kanouff.
The FWD 4 Cylinder make up feature rolled on to the track as the storm clouds began to thicken in the distance. Doug Surra would take the lead from his front row starting spot and never looked back as lead the entire distance picking up his first feature win of the season! Danny White, Aaron Luzier and Shawn Fedder put on a show with a race long battle for the second position. The top five at the line were Surra, White, Luzier, Fedder and Ben Smith.
With the make up races complete, and the storms appearing to be tracking north/east of the speedway, the heat races for the nights regular five division show were brought to the track. Adam Nixon and Mike Anderson picked up heat wins in the Four Cylinder division. The first Street Stock heat was on the track when a Tornado Watch and Severe Thunderstorm Warning were issued for the area. Dark clouds and streaks of lightening filled the sky as Brian Rhed took the checkered flag in the heat race. With severe weather on the way, track officials decided to cancel the rest of the show. The skies opened up ten minutes later as heavy wind and rain hit the speedway. Since half of the regular show was not completed, rain checks will be good for next week at the speedway. Next week is Fan Appreciation Night at the track and fans will be invited to the track during intermission to meet their favorite drivers. Bring you cameras and sharpies and be sure to get a picture and an autograph from your favorite Hummingbird Speedway drivers!
Full Results:
Street Stock Make up Feature:
1. Dan Smeal – Houtzdale
2. Joe Kot – Dubois
3. Gary Little – Clearfield
4. Jeff Mease – Clearfield
5. Jim Bloom – Curwensville
6. Chad Rougeux – Grampian
7. Bob Ralston – Philipsburg
8. Jonny Lindenpitz – Knoxdale
9. Brandon Connor – Dubois
10. Pernell Beimel – St. Marys
11. Mike Miller – Dubois
12. Paul Blake – Weedville
13. Bob Rosman – Sykesville
14. Dom Surra – Kersey
15. Jamie Price – Clearfield
16. Orin Taylor – Dubois
17. Brian Rhed – Brockport
Limited Late Model Make up Feature:
1. Eric Moore – Frenchville
2. John Chesnalavich – Reynoldsville
3. Bobby McMillen – St. Marys
4. Dwayne Brooks – Falls Creek
5. Rich Womeldorf – Apollo
6. Brian Molnar – Falls Creek
7. Denny Fenton – Clearfield
8. Todd English – Clearfield
9. Bill Davis – Luthersburg
10. Denny Draisma – Reynoldsville
11. Cody Shultz – Hyde
12. John Reed – Reynoldsville
13. Kyle Beimel – St. Marys
DNS: Tom Decker, Loren Sallek, Chris Farrell, Paul Kot, 92x.
Pure Stock Make up Feature:
1. Ryan Hess – Frenchville
2. Mike Calhoun – Brockway
3. Matt Heindl – St. Marys
4. Zach Gustafson – Weedville
5. Justin Kanouff – Clearfield
6. Dave Kohler – Stump Creek
7. Kyle Shannon – Brockway
8. Dustin Challingsworth – St. Marys
9. Nathan Yeaney – Corsica
10. Jeff Krach – Falls Creek
11. Jim Challingsworth – St. Marys
12. Fran Gustafson – Weedville
13. Roswell Babcock – Curwensville
14. Shawn Munoz – Punxsutawney
15. Frank Mayhew – Clearfield
16. Steven Arthurs – Falls Creek
DNS: BJ Hudson
FWD 4 Cylinder Make up Feature
1. Doug Surra – Kersey
2. Danny White – Dubois
3. Aaron Luzier – Clearfield
4. Shawn Fedder – Clearfield
5. Ben Smith – Penfield
6. Eric Luzier – Clearfield
7. Walt Fedder – Curwensville
8. Chad Desmett – Curwensville
9. Mike Lucas – Wallaceton
10. Stephanie Lucas – Centre Hall
11. Josh Frantz – Dubois
12. Jacob Kline – Sykesville
13. Sean Gearhart – Falls Creek
