Davenport, McAndrew Break Young Guns Track Records At The Bird
For Immediate Release
Saturday, June 18th, 2022
By: Steven Curry - Race Reporter
Reynoldsville- The Young Guns Jr Sprints made their second visit of the 2022 season on Saturday night as they joined our six regular divisions that were also in competition. In the Open Class, it was the #8G of Garrett Davenport picking up the win. Garrett's win was his fourth career Open Class victory at the track. Garrett also broke the Open Class track record with a time of 17.614 seconds and a speed of 68.127 MPH. For perspective, that lap time and speed is right in the ballpark of those recorded in the Pure Stock division. In the Stock Class, it was the #14 of Mason McAndrew taking the checkered flag. Mason's win was his second career Stock Class victory at the speedway. Like Davenport in the Open Class, McAndrew broke the track record in the Stock Class with a time of 19.831 seconds and a speed of 60.511 MPH. As mentioned at the beginning, our six regular divisions were in action as well, including the last two 5/21 makeup features for the Pure Stocks and Four-Cylinders. In the regular feature for the PAGO Visitors Bureau Pure Stocks, it was the #88 of Josh Fields taking the checkers. Fields' win was his second of the season and 23rd career Pure Stock win at the Bird. The #36 of Paul Kot took an emotional trip to victory lane in the Carns Powersports/Mountain Extreme Super Late Models. The win came after Kot lost his mother to cancer earlier in the week. Kots' win was his third in four races this season and his 27th career Late Model win at Hummingbird. Andrew Gordon, subbing for Bruce Hartzfeld, wheeled the #101 to victory in the Cypress Clock & Gift Shop Pro Stocks. Gordons' win was his second straight after he won the 2nd Annual Al Connor Memorial in his own car the week before. In the regular feature for the Sunny 106 Four-Cylinders, it was the #569 of Blake Joiner picking up the win. The win was Blake's first win of 2022 and his tenth career Four-Cylinder victory. The #3xAA of Doug Surra was victorious in the Swanson Heavy Truck Repair Semi Late Models for his third win in four races this year. The win tied him with Nick Erskine for the most career wins in the Semi Late division with 20. In the Andy Man's Car Care Economods, it was the #50 of Bob McMillen collecting his first career Economod victory. McMillen became the third first-time winner in the division already this season. In the 5/21 Makeup Features, the #22 of Rusty Martz and the #3H of Shawn Hadden won in the Pure Stocks and Four-Cylinders respectively. It was the first Pure Stock win for Martz at Hummingbird and it was the second win of the season for Hadden.
The feature racing action kicked off with the Young Guns Jr Sprints - Open Class taking to the track. Garrett Davenport and Carter Himes led the field of three to the green flag for their 10-lap feature event. On the start, Davenport jumped out to the lead over Himes and Grady Rinehart. A caution came out later on the opening lap for Rinehart's stopped car in turn 1. The caution forced Rinehart to retire from the race which set up a head-to-head showdown between Davenport and Himes. On the restart, it was Himes getting out to the lead and leading lap 1 over Davenport. Later that lap, Davenport looked to the inside of Himes going down the backstretch and made the pass to take the top spot and lead lap 2. Davenport and Himes flipped-flopped the lead a couple more times over the next 2 laps before Davenport took the lead for good on lap 4. At the halfway mark on lap 5, it was Davenport out front over Himes. Davenport extended his lead over Himes in the final 5 laps of the race enroute to picking up the win. Davenports' win was his fourth career Open Class victory at the Bird. As mentioned in the beginning, Davenport also broke the track record for the Open Class in the feature with a time of 17.614 seconds and a speed of 68.127 MPH. Davenport was followed by: Himes, Rinehart, and Cameron McClure. Davenport won the heat race.
Mason McAndrew and Deryk Jones led the Young Guns Jr Sprints - Stock Class trackside for their 10-lap feature race. McAndrew got out to the lead on the start as Colton Blazavich made the pass on Jones on the inside to move into the second position. McAndrew led lap 1 over Blazavich and Jones. Another lap was completed before a caution for a wreck involving Jones. The caution forced Jones to retire from the race which moved Sean Price into the third spot for the restart. On what was ultimately the first and only restart of the race, McAndrew pulled out to the lead as Price challenged Blazavich for second. McAndrew came around to lead lap 3 as Price completed the pass on Blazavich to move into second. At the halfway point on lap 5, it continued to be McAndrew out front over Price and Blazavich. McAndrew went unchallenged the rest of the race on his way to capturing the checkered flag. McAndrews' win was his second career Stock Class victory at Hummingbird. As I mentioned in the beginning of the report, McAndrew also broke the track record for the Stock Class in the feature with a time of 19.831 seconds and a speed of 60.511 MPH. Price, Blazavich, Easton Corbin, Karley Miller, and Jones rounded out the field. McAndrew won the heat race.
The PAGO Visitors Bureau Pure Stocks were next to the track with Justin Watt and Andy Frey on the front row for their 15-lap main. The race began with a couple of quick caution flags that kept the field close with only one lap getting completed. In the one lap that was completed, Rusty Martz made the pass on Frey to move into second. On the restart following the cautions, it was Watt out to the lead over Martz and Frey. On lap 2, Josh Fields was able to work his way by Frey on the inside to move into the third spot as Martz began to challenge Watt for the lead. On lap 4, Martz edged ahead of Watt to take the race lead. Another lap was completed before a caution came out for Martz and Watt getting together while battling for the lead. The wreck moved Fields to the point with Dustin Challingsworth in second and Jenna Pfaff in third. On the ensuing restart, Fields jumped out to the lead over Challingsworth and Pfaff. A couple of laps were completed before a caution for a spin in turns 3 and 4 brought about another restart. Fields got the lead on the restart and led at halfway on lap 8 over Challingsworth and Pfaff. The race remained under green flag conditions until the last lap when the caution flag flew again for a spin in turns 3 and 4. The caution put the race into overtime and set up a green-white-checker finish. After another caution flag, Fields got the lead as a charging Martz worked his way back up into the second position, passing both Pfaff and Challingsworth. Then, on the final lap, Pfaff made the pass on Challingsworth to move back into third. Fields held on to take his second trip to victory lane this season and for the 23rd time in his career in the Pure Stock division at the Bird. Fields was followed by: Martz, Pfaff, Challingsworth, Frey, Casey Wolfe, Dave Lowe, Cody Cassler, Josh Bloom, Ashley Kilhoffer, Watt, Jake Foradori, Devin Dickey, and Cody Wolfe. Foradori and Martz won the heat races.
Paul Kot and Dave Blazavich led the Carns Powersports/Mountain Extreme Super Late Models to the 1/3 mile bullring for their 25-lap feature event. Kot jumped out to the lead on the start as Dylan Fenton made the pass on Blazavich for the second spot. Later on the opening lap, a charging Kyle Knapp worked his way past both Blazavich and Dylan Fenton to move into second. Kot led lap one over Knapp and Dylan Fenton. Just the opening lap was completed before a caution for a wreck in turns 3 and 4 set up the first restart of the race. After another quick caution flag, it was Kot out front on the restart over Knapp and Dylan Fenton. On lap 3, Doug Eck made the pass on Dylan Fenton on the highside to move into third behind the leaders. Another lap was completed before the caution flag flew again. It was Kot out at the point on the ensuing restart over Knapp and Eck. Over the course of the next few laps, Kot and Knapp swapped the lead back and forth with Kot taking the lead back from Knapp on lap 7, just before another caution flag was displayed. A couple of more quick caution flags came out with just one lap getting completed through them with Kot continuing to lead the way over Knapp and Eck. A few more laps were completed on the restart following the cautions, to lap 11, when the caution flag was displayed for a wreck in turn 2. While under caution, Eck took his car to the pit area which moved Dwayne Brooks into third for the restart. On the following restart, Kot was out to the lead over Knapp and Brooks. At the cross flags on lap 13, Kot led the way as Brooks edged ahead of Knapp on the inside for second. On lap 14, Knapp powered back past Brooks on the highside to move back into second behind Kot. Then, on lap 16, Dylan Cecce made his way around Brooks for the third position. Cecce continued his charge to the front by passing Knapp one lap later for second. The race stayed green until a caution for a spin in turn 4 on lap 20 brought about the final restart of the race. Kot got the lead on the restart over Cecce and Knapp. Using the highside to his advantage, Knapp worked his way back past Cecce for the second position on lap 22. Knapp tried to close in on Kot in the final few laps, but it was to no avail as Kot hung on to win for the third time in four races this season. It was an emotional win for Kot as he lost his Mother earlier in the week to cancer. He dedicated the win to his Mom, Sonia. Knapp, Cecce, Eck, Dylan Fenton, Brooks, Blazavich, Kenny Schaffer, Derek Rodkey, Orvis Newcome, Rich Runyan Jr., Cody Lucas, Phil Uplinger, Joe Loffredo, Nathan Brady, Scott Alvetro, and Denny Fenton rounded out the field. Eck, Denny Fenton, and Knapp won the heat races.
The Cypress Clock & Gift Shop Pro Stocks took to the track next for their 20-lap feature event. Bob Connor and Jim Bloom led the field of 7 to the opening green flag. Connor pulled out to the lead on the initial start and led lap one as Andrew Gordon (substituting for Bruce Hartzfeld) and Zack Gustafson both made their way by Bloom to move into second and third respectively. On lap 3, Gordon used the high line to his advantage to make the pass on Connor and take the race lead. Gordon began to extend his lead over the field as the laps clicked away. On lap 7, Gustafson made the pass on Connor for the second position. Then, on lap 8, Fuzzy Fields worked his way by Connor to move into third behind Gordon and Gustafson. At the halfway mark on lap 10, it was Gordon continuing to pace the field with Gustafson and Fields following behind in second and third respectively. Later that lap, the first and only caution flag was displayed for a slow car on the frontstretch. On the restart, Gordon pulled out to the lead as Fields and Bloom both were able to get around Gustafson to move into second and third. Fields and Bloom produced a great battle for second throughout the final laps with Fields hanging on to second with Bloom in third. Gordon was in a league of his own though as he went on to win by over 10 seconds. The win was the second consecutive win for Gordon at the track after he won the 2nd Annual Al Connor Memorial Penn Ohio race in his own car the week previous. It was his 11th career win at Hummingbird. Gordon was followed by: Fields, Bloom, Gustafson, Brian Fabiano, Pernell Beimel, and Connor. Gordon won the heat race.
Travis Timko and Blake Joiner led the Sunny 106 Four-Cylinders trackside for their 15-lap feature race. Timko got out to the lead on the start and led the opening lap over Joiner and Joe Beningo. One lap was completed before a caution for a stopped car in turn 3 set up the first restart of the race. On the restart, it was Timko leading the way over Joiner and Beningo. On lap 3, Joiner took the top spot from Timko. Another lap was completed before a caution for a slow car in turns 1 and 2 brought about another restart. Another quick caution flag came out on the restart that involved Beningo and others. The wreck forced Beningo to retire from the race which moved Dave Smail into third behind Joiner and Timko for the final restart of the race. On the final restart, Joiner jumped out to the lead over Timko and Smail. At the halfway point on lap 8, it was Joiner at the point with Timko and Smail following behind. Joiner extended his lead over Timko, Smail, and the rest of the field as the laps continued to click away. On lap 12, Smail made the pass on Timko to move into second. Joiner went unchallenged in the closing laps as he cruised to his first victory of the 2022 season. Blake's win was his 10th career win at the Bird. Smail, Timko, Cory Price, Mitch Stiles, Carl Killinger, Christina Killinger, Heidi Miller, Beningo, Kevin Killinger, Louis Young, Shawn Hadden, and Devin Kaufman rounded out the field. Joiner and Timko won the heat races.
The Swanson Heavy Truck Repair Semi Late Models were next to track with B.J. Hudson and Doug Surra leading the field to the green flag for their 20-lap feature. Hudson jumped out to the lead on the start and led lap 1 over Surra and Deegen Watt. On lap 3, Nick Erskine looked to the inside of Watt and made the pass to move into the third position behind the leaders. Then, on lap 7, Erskine and Surra were able to make a three-wide pass for the lead on Hudson with Erskine coming out in the lead over Surra and Hudson. A caution for a spin in turn 2 later that lap set up the first restart. On the restart, Erskine had a mechanical issue in turns 1 and 2 which allowed Hudson to retake the top spot as Kyle Shannon moved into second and Surra fell back to third. One lap was completed before Erskine's car came to a stop on the inside of the backstretch, bringing out the yellow flag. After another quick caution flag, it was Hudson out to the point over Shannon and Surra. On lap 9, Surra worked his way past Shannon to move into the second position behind Hudson. Hudson led at halfway over Surra and Shannon. On lap 11, Surra and Shannon both made their way around Hudson to move into first and second respectively. The race stayed green until about lap 19 when a caution for Shannon spinning in turn 4 brought about the final restart. The caution moved Nick Loffredo into third for the restart behind Surra and Hudson. The caution also sent the race into a green-white-checker finish. On the final restart, Surra pulled out to the lead over Hudson and Loffredo. Surra checked out by 2 seconds in the final couple of laps on his way to collecting his third win in four races this season. On the final lap, Shannon made the pass on Loffredo to recover to third after spinning late in the race. Doug's win was his track-leading 56th career feature win. Surra was followed by: Hudson, Shannon, Loffredo, Dennis Curry, Kyle Corah, Erskine, and Watt. Hudson won the heat race.
Bob McMillen and Dennis Asel headed the Andy Man's Car Care Economods for their 15-lap main. McMillen got the lead on the start and led the opening lap over Asel and Orin Taylor. On lap 2, Asel got loose coming off of turn 2 which allowed Taylor and Lane Reinwald to go by and move into second and third respectively. Another lap was completed before a caution for a spin in turn 4 set up what would ultimately be the first and only restart of the race. On the restart, it was McMillen out to the lead over Taylor and Reinwald. On lap 4, Brad Curran Jr. used the inside line in turns 3 and 4 to make the pass on Reinwald for the third position. Taylor closed in and began to pressure McMillen for the top spot as the race neared halfway. At the cross flags on lap 8, McMillen continued to lead the way over Taylor and Curran Jr.. McMillen began to extend his lead slowly but surely over Taylor, Curran Jr., and the rest of the field as the laps continued to click away. McMillen would go unchallenged the rest of the way enroute to notching his first career Economod win. Bob became the third first-time winner in the division so far this season. The Economod division is the third different division that Bob has won in at the speedway joining the Late Models and Pro Stocks. Taylor, Curran Jr., Reinwald, Asel, and Nate Fleck rounded out the field. Curran Jr. won the heat race.
The PAGO Visitors Bureau Pure Stocks returned to the track for their 15-lap 5/21 Makeup Feature. Josh Fields and Rusty Martz led the field of 9 starters to the opening green flag. Fields jumped out to the lead on the start and led lap one over Martz and Jake Foradori. A couple of more laps were completed before a caution for Fields spinning in turns 3 and 4 on lap 3 set up the first restart of the race. The spin moved Martz into the lead with Foradori and Frey in second and third respectively. On the restart, Martz pulled out to the lead as Frey challenged Foradori for second. On lap 4, Frey made the pass on Foradori to move into the second position behind Martz. Martz began to extend his lead over Frey, Foradori, and the rest of the field as the race neared its halfway mark. At the halfway mark on lap 8, it was Martz still out front over Frey and Foradori. The race stayed green until lap 12 or so when the caution flag was displayed again. The caution brought about the final restart with Martz still leading the way over Frey and Foradori. Martz got the lead on the restart over Frey and Foradori. On lap 13, Challingsworth made his way past Foradori for third. Then, on the final lap, Casey Wolfe made the pass on Challingsworth for the third spot. Frey tried to close in on Martz, but it was to no avail as Martz held on to pick up his first career win at Hummingbird. Martz was followed by: Frey, Casey Wolfe, Challingsworth, Bloom, Foradori, Kilhoffer, Cassler, Dickey, Cody Wolfe, Nathan Yeaney, Lester Hudson, Wayne Garvey, and Fields. Martz and Yeaney won the heat races back on 5/21.
Dave Smail and Shawn Hadden led the Sunny 106 Four-Cylinders trackside for their 15-lap 5/21 Makeup Feature to conclude the evening. Smail got out to the lead on the start and led the opening lap over Hadden and Price. On lap 2, Smail's car seemed to start to lose power coming off of turn 4 which moved Hadden, Price, and Stiles into the top 3 positions, respectively. Smail was able to get his car off of the track, thus keeping the race under green flag conditions. Hadden extended his lead over Price, Stiles, and the rest of the field as the race neared halfway. At the halfway point on lap 8, it was Hadden continuing to lead the way over Price and Stiles. Hadden maintained a pretty sizable lead over the field throughout the second-half of the race as he cruised to his second win of the season at the Bird in a caution-free feature. His win was his 11th career Four-Cylinder victory at the track. Price, Stiles, Carl Killinger, Miller, Smail, Beningo, Kevin Killinger, Zack Frantz, Josh Frantz, Joe Huber, Cole Miller, Mike Kelley, Matt Urey, and Dylan Yastro rounded out the field. Huber and Josh Frantz won the heat races back on 5/21.
Speedway Notes: 75 cars were in attendance for the fourth night of racing in the 2022 season. That breaks down to: 4 Young Guns Jr Sprints - Open Class Cars, 6 Young Guns Jr Sprints - Stock Class Cars, 14 Pure Stocks, 17 Super Late Models, 7 Pro Stocks, 13 Four-Cylinders, 8 Semi Late Models, 6 Economods. Next Saturday will feature a $1,000/win Semi Late Special sponsored by Srock Contracting. Our other five regular divisions will be in action as well to make it a complete six-division program. Also, for the first time ever, we will hold Kids Bike Races at intermission. Kids can register for them upon arrival at The Sub Hub Kids Club. Pie in the Eye will return with Semi Late driver, Dennis Curry, set to take a pie to the face also at intermission. All proceeds will be donated to the Gateway Humane Society. We have raised $130 to be donated in memory of Tom Scott so far this year. Kids will also get the chance to play "Pin the Tail on the Squirrel". Kids of all ages can purchase water balloons and will take aim for flagman Earl "The Squirrel" Jackson. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society in Memory of Sonia Kot. We would also like to remind fans and drivers that the Mid Season Championship Double Points Night has been moved to Saturday, July 9th, since we have only completed 4 races so far. We will also be off Saturday, July 2nd, for the Independence Day holiday. Gates open at 4:00 with racing beginning at 7:00. The Sub Hub Kids Club gets underway every Saturday night at 6pm by the pit gate entrance. It is a great place to take your kids to do some fun kids club activities as well as meet some drivers prior to racing getting started For more information call the track office at (814) 653-8400 or visit the tracks’ website at www.hummingbirdspeedway.com. You can also follow the track on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
Results:
Young Guns Jr Sprints - Open Class
1st) #8G Garrett Davenport
2nd) #13H Carter Himes
3rd) #14 Grady Rinehart
4th) #82 Cameron McClure
Young Guns Jr Sprints - Stock Class
1st) #14 Mason McAndrew
2nd) #31S Sean Price
3rd) #18B Colton Blazavich
4th) #7E Easton Corbin
5th) #26 Karley Miller
6th) #27 Deryk Jones
PAGO Visitors Bureau Pure Stocks
1st) #88 Josh Fields
2nd) #22 Rusty Martz
3rd) #33 Jenna Pfaff
4th) #46 Dustin Challingsworth
5th) #55X Andy Frey
6th) #6/2P Casey Wolfe
7th) #21 Dave Lowe
8th) #14C Cody Cassler
9th) #37B Josh Bloom
10th) #50 Ashley Kilhoffer
11th) #00 Justin Watt
12th) #14 Jake Foradori
13th) #18 Devin Dickey
14th) #97W Cody Wolfe
Carns Powersports/Mountain Extreme Super Late Models
1st) #36 Paul Kot
2nd) #33K Kyle Knapp
3rd) #18* Dylan Cecce
4th) #20 Doug Eck
5th) #56 Dylan Fenton
6th) #1B Dwayne Brooks
7th) #18B Dave Blazavich
8th) #13X Kenny Schaffer
9th) #14R Derek Rodkey
10th) #66N Orvis Newcome
11th) #18 Rich Runyan Jr.
12th) #67 Cody Lucas
13th) #7UP Phil Uplinger
14th) #9J Joe Loffredo
15th) #77 Nathan Brady
16th) #64 Scott Alvetro
17th) #55 Denny Fenton
Cypress Clock & Gift Shop Pro Stocks
1st) #101 Andrew Gordon
2nd) #28 Fuzzy Fields
3rd) #37A Jim Bloom
4th) #983 Zack Gustafson
5th) #35 Brian Fabiano
6th) #43 Pernell Beimel
7th) #V2 Bob Connor
Sunny 106 Four-Cylinders
1st) #569 Blake Joiner
2nd) #81S Dave Smail
3rd) #910 Travis Timko
4th) #88 Cory Price
5th) #54 Mitch Stiles
6th) #76K Carl Killinger
7th) #8K Christina Killinger
8th) #35K Heidi Miller
9th) #21 Joe Beningo
10th) #24K Kevin Killinger
11th) #65 Louis Young
12th) #3H Shawn Hadden
13th) #25D Devin Kaufman
Swanson Heavy Truck Repair Semi Late Models
1st) #3xAA Doug Surra
2nd) #23 B.J. Hudson
3rd) #11 Kyle Shannon
4th) #9N Nick Loffredo
5th) #75 Dennis Curry
6th) #152 Kyle Corah
7th) #5X Nick Erskine
8th) #17 Deegen Watt
Andy Man's Car Care Economods
1st) #50 Bob McMillen
2nd) #21T Orin Taylor
3rd) #C17 Brad Curran Jr.
4th) #L5 Lane Reinwald
5th) #0 Dennis Asel
6th) #71 Nate Fleck
PAGO Visitors Bureau Pure Stocks (5/21 Makeup Feature)
1st) #22 Rusty Martz
2nd) #55X Andy Frey
3rd) #6/2P Casey Wolfe
4th) #46 Dustin Challingsworth
5th) #37B Josh Bloom
6th) #14 Jake Foradori
7th) #50 Ashley Kilhoffer
8th) #14C Cody Cassler
9th) #18 Devin Dickey
10th) #97W Cody Wolfe
11th) #21Y Nathan Yeaney
12th) #24 Lester Hudson
13th) #5 Wayne Garvey
14th) #88 Josh Fields
Sunny 106 Four-Cylinders (5/21 Makeup Feature)
1st) #3H Shawn Hadden
2nd) #88 Cory Price
3rd) #54 Mitch Stiles
4th) #76K Carl Killinger
5th) #35K Heidi Miller
6th) #81S Dave Smail
7th) #21 Joe Beningo
8th) #24K Kevin Killinger
9th) #36F Zack Frantz
10th) #114 Josh Frantz
11th) #8H Joe Huber
12th) #00 Cole Miller
13th) #6 Mike Kelley
14th) #501 Matt Urey
15th) #53X Dylan Yastro