Susice Victorious In Final BRP Modified Tour Visit To Hummingbird In 2022
For Immediate Release
Saturday, July 16th, 2022
By: Steven Curry - Race Reporter
Reynoldsville- The BRP Modified Tour made their second and final visit of the year to Hummingbird Speedway on Saturday night to headline the seventh night of racing on the 2022 campaign at the speedway. The #10 of Ryan Susice led 25 of the 35 laps in a caution-free race on his way to capturing his 2nd BRP Modified Tour win of the season, a $2,500 payday, and his first-ever win at the Bird. Five of our six regular divisions were also in action on the night including the: PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau Pure Stocks, Carns Powersports/Mountain Extreme Super Late Models, Cypress Clock & Gift Shop Pro Stocks, Swanson Heavy Truck Repair Semi Late Models, and the Sunny 106 Four-Cylinders. One driver notched his first win at Hummingbird this season. That driver would be the #6 of Chad Wright in the Carns Powersports/Mountain Extreme Super Late Models. Wright led from green to checkered enroute to picking up the win. The win was Wright's second career at the track. He also collected a $500 bounty courtesy of Srock Contracting and Dunlap Lawn & Garden that was on the #36 of Paul Kot as he had won three straight in the division entering the night. Our other four winners all added to their 2022 win totals at Hummingbird. In the PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau Pure Stocks, it was the #88 of Josh Fields getting the win for the 4th time this year and 25th time in division history. The win puts Fields just one win shy of tying Doug Surra for the most in the division. The #55 of Brandon Connor got it done in the Cypress Clock & Gift Shop Pro Stocks for his third victory of the season at the Bird and 17th career win in the division. Nick Erskine in the #5X took his second trip to Carns Powersports victory lane in as many weeks as he added to his division-leading win total with his 22nd win at the speedway. The #3H of Shawn Hadden parked his Sunny 106 Four-Cylinder in victory lane for the 4th time in 2022 which gives him 13 career wins in the division. The win put Hadden in sole possession of 4th on the win list.
The PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau Pure Stocks kicked off the feature racing action with their 15-lap feature event with Jake Foradori and Josh Fields leading the field of 15 to the opening green flag. After a quick lap one caution flag, it was Fields that was able to get the advantage over Foradori and Andy Frey to lead lap one. On lap 4, Frey was able to get to the inside of Foradori and take the second position behind Fields. Another lap was completed before a caution for a spin in turn 2 set up another restart. On the restart, Fields jumped out to the lead over Frey and Foradori. At the halfway mark on lap 8, it was Fields beginning to extend his lead over Frey, Foradori, and the rest of the field. The race remained green until lap 11 when the caution flag was displayed again for a spin in turns 1 and 2. A couple of laps were completed on the restart before the caution flag was thrown one final time on lap 13 for debris. The caution set up a green-white-checker finish. On the final restart, it was Fields out to the point over Frey and Foradori. Fields got out to the lead and never looked back in the final couple of laps enroute to capturing his fourth checkered flag of the season and his 25th career Pure Stock win at Hummingbird. Fields is now one win away from tying Doug Surra for the most career wins in the division. Fields was followed by: Frey, Foradori, Joe Malobicky, Cody Cassler, Casey Wolfe, Dustin Challingsworth, Tyler Blystone, Shawn Lindemuth, Mike Calhoun, David Lowe, Barry Burritt, Wayne Truitt, Devin Dickey, and Caleb Bloom. Foradori, Fields, and Lowe won the heat races.
Chad Wright and Denny Fenton led the Carns Powersports/Mountain Extreme Super Late Models trackside for their 25-lap feature race. Wright jumped out to the lead on the start and led lap one over Denny Fenton and Dwayne Brooks. Another lap was completed before a caution for a wreck in turn 4 set up the first restart. One lap was completed on the restart as Kyle Knapp charged his way into the second position, passing both Denny Fenton and Brooks, just before another caution for a wreck in turn 4. It was Wright out to the lead on the restart as Denny Fenton was able to retake the second position from Knapp. On lap 7, Knapp made his way back past Denny Fenton to move back into the second spot behind Wright. Two to three more laps were completed before the caution flag was displayed for a spin in turn 4. A couple of more caution flags came out without a lap getting completed. A third consecutive quick caution flag came out that involved Knapp and Denny Fenton getting together in turn 2. The wreck forced both drivers to the pit area, ending their night. The wreck also moved Dylan Fenton and Scott Alvetro into second and third behind Wright for the restart. On the restart, Wright pulled out to the lead over Dylan Fenton and Alvetro. On lap 12, both Alvetro and Kenny Schaffer made their way around Dylan Fenton to move into second and third. At the halfway point on lap 13, it was Wright continuing to lead the way over Alvetro and Schaffer. A couple of laps later, on lap 15, Schaffer made the pass on Alvetro on the lowside to move into the second position behind Wright. The race remained under green flag conditions until lap 19 or 20 when a spin in turn 4 brought out another caution flag. After another quick caution flag, the race saw its final restart. On the final restart, it was Wright still out front over Schaffer and Alvetro.As the field came to get the white flag, Paul Kot made the pass on Alvetro for third. Schaffer gave Wright all he had in the final laps, but he came up short as Wright held on to lead from green to checkered to win in his first visit to the Bird this season. The win was Wright's second career at the track. He also collected the $500 bounty courtesy of Srock Contracting and Dunlap Lawn & Garden that was on Kot as he had won three straight in the division entering the night. Schaffer, Kot, Alvetro, Rich Runyan Jr., Brooks, Bill Davis, Derek Rodkey, Orvis Newcome lll, Dylan Fenton, Cody Lucas, Johnny Lindenpitz, Denny Fenton, Ben Ecelberger, Nathan Brady, and Knapp rounded out the field. Rodkey, Denny Fenton, and Wright won the heat races.
The BRP Big Block Modifieds were next in the 1/3 mile bullring with Ryan Susice and Erick Rudolph leading the field to green for their 35-lap, $2,500/win feature. Susice got out to the lead on the start over Rudolph and Rex King Jr.. Susice led the opening lap over Rudolph and King Jr.. On lap 2, Rudolph used the high line to his advantage to make the pass on Susice and take the race lead. Rudolph continued to lead the way over the next several laps as Susice kept the pressure on him for the lead. On lap 12, Susice edged ahead of Rudolph to retake the top spot with King Jr. following behind them in third. Susice completed the pass for the lead one lap later, on lap 13. At halfway on lap 18, it was Susice continuing to lead the way over Rudolph and King Jr.. Susice maintained his lead over Rudolph, King Jr., and the rest of the field in the second half of the race as he would go on to capture his second BRP Modified Tour checkered flag of the season and his first-ever tour win at Hummingbird in an impressive caution-free 35-lap race. With the win, Susice was able to collect the $2,500 payday. Susice was followed by: Rudolph, King Jr., Brad Rapp, Chas Wolbert, Tyler Willard, Mike Kinney, Garrett Krummert, Dave Murdick, Rick Regalski, Steve Barr, Colton Walters, Steve Slater, Ray Bliss, Mark Frankhouser, Rodney Beltz, and Kevin Green. Murdick and Rudolph won the heat races.
Jim Bloom and Bob Connor headed the 20-lap Cypress Clock & Gift Shop Pro Stock main. Bloom jumped out to the point on the start and led lap one over Connor and Zack Gustafson. On lap 3, Brandon Connor made his way past Gustafson on the inside to move into the third position behind Bloom and Bob Connor. Then, one lap later on lap 4, Brandon Connor made the pass on Bob Connor to move into second. A couple of more laps were completed before the first caution flag of the race was displayed. On the restart, Brandon Connor was able to get to the inside of Bloom for the race lead. They battled side-by-side for most of the first lap of the restart before Brandon Connor completed the pass for the lead coming off of turn 4 to complete lap 7. Brandon brought Bob Connor with him as he moved back into the second spot, moving Bloom back to third. On lap 9, Bloom was able to work his way back past Bob Connor on the inside to move into second behind Brandon Connor. At the cross-flags on lap 10, it was Brandon Connor continuing to lead the way over Bloom and Bob Connor. The race stayed green until lap 16 when a second and final caution flag was thrown for a spin in turn 4. On the final restart of the race, Connor pulled out to the lead over Bloom and Bob Connor. Bloom and Bob Connor battled intensely for the second spot in the final laps which allowed Brandon Connor to scoot away to an over two second advantage. As a result, Brandon Connor cruised to his third win of 2022 at the speedway and his 17th career Pro Stock victory in track history. Bloom was able to fend off the challenges from Bob Connor as they finished second and third respectively. Bloom, Bob Connor, Trevor McCann, Pernell Beimel, Ray Reynolds, Brian Fabiano, and Gustafson rounded out the field. Bob Connor won the heat race.
The Swanson Heavy Truck Repair Semi Late Models were next trackside for their 20-lap feature event. Dan Smeal in a brand new ride and Kyle Shannon led the field of 9 to the opening green flag. Smeal got the lead on the start and led the first lap over Shannon and Nick Erskine. On lap 2, both Shannon and Erskine were able to make their way around Smeal to move into the top two positions. On lap 5, Erskine made the pass on Shannon for the lead as Doug Surra made his way past Smeal for third. Another couple of laps were completed before the first and only caution flag was displayed for a spin in turns 1 and 2. On what was ultimately the final restart of the race, it was Erskine out to the lead over Surra who took the second spot on the restart and Shannon. At the halfway mark on lap 10, it was Erskine still leading the way over Surra and Shannon. Erskine maintained a fairly comfortable lead over Surra, Shannon, and the rest of the field throughout the entire second half of the race on his way to taking his second trip to victory lane at Hummingbird this season. The win was Nick's 22nd career Semi Late Model win at the Bird which is two more than any other driver has in the division. Erskine was followed by: Surra, Shannon, B.J. Hudson, Andy VanCuren, Raven Fuller, Bill Phillips, Dennis Curry, and Smeal. Smeal and Surra won the heat races.
Austin Lowe and Cory Price led the Sunny 106 Four-Cylinders to the track for their 15-lap feature to conclude the evening. Lowe edged out to the lead on the start and led the opening lap over Adam Bales and Price. On lap 2, Bales took the lead from Lowe on the low line. Then, a couple of laps later on lap 4, both Price and Blake Joiner made their way around Lowe to move into the second and third positions respectively behind Bales. On lap 5, a hard-charging Shawn Hadden made the pass on both Price and Joiner to move into second behind the race leader Bales. On lap 7, Devin Thompson, who was subbing for Dave Smail in his car, moved into the third position after a pass on Price. At the halfway point on lap 8, Hadden was able to edge ahead of Bales on the inside to lead the lap. Hadden completed the pass on Bales on lap 9 with Thompson following behind them in third. The race stayed green all the way until two-to-go on lap 13 when the lone caution flag of the race came out for a spin in turn 1. The caution set up a green-white-checkered finish. On the restart, it was Hadden leading the way over Bales and Thompson. Bales gave it all he had in the final couple of laps, but to no avail as Hadden held on to pickup his fourth win of the season at the Bird. The win was Hadden's 13th career win in the Four-Cylinder division at the track which is good enough for 4th on the win list. Bales, Thompson, Randy Albert, Cory Price, Devon Trayer, Mike Kelley, Joiner, Heidi Miller, and Lowe rounded out the field. Bales and Hadden won the heat races.
Speedway Notes: There were 75 cars in attendance for the seventh night of racing. That breaks down to: 15 Pure Stocks, 16 Super Late Models, 17 BRP Big Block Modifieds, 8 Pro Stocks, 9 Semi Late Models, and 10 Four-Cylinders. We will be back in action this coming Saturday, July 23rd, with Fan Appreciation Night. During intermission, we will bring all of the cars out and park them around the racetrack and fans will get to go down on the track and meet their favorite drivers and get some autographs, candy, and other cool giveaways. This Saturday will also be Christmas in July and Louie's Birthday Bash. We will be celebrating the 94th birthday of our track owner, Louie Caltagarone. In addition to Fan Appreciation Night, Christmas in July, and Louie's Birthday Bash, it will also be Bailey Memorial Trophy Night. All six of our regular divisions will be in action including: Super Late Models, Pro Stocks, Semi Late Models, Economods, Pure Stocks, and Four-Cylinders. 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:
PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau Pure Stocks
1st) #88 Josh Fields
2nd) #55X Andy Frey
3rd) #14 Jake Foradori
4th) #50 Joe Malobicky
5th) #14C Cody Cassler
6th) #6/2P Casey Wolfe
7th) #46 Dustin Challingsworth
8th) #79 Tyler Blystone
9th) #54L Shawn Lindemuth
10th) #22 Mike Calhoun
11th) #21 David Lowe
12th) #07 Barry Burritt
13th) #54 Wayne Truitt
14th) #18 Devin Dickey
15th) #37B Caleb Bloom
Carns Powersports/Mountain Extreme Super Late Models
1st) #6 Chad Wright
2nd) #13X Kenny Schaffer
3rd) #36 Paul Kot
4th) #64 Scott Alvetro
5th) #18 Rich Runyan Jr.
6th) #1B Dwayne Brooks
7th) #3-D Bill Davis
8th) #14R Derek Rodkey
9th) #66N Orvis Newcome lll
10th) #56 Dylan Fenton
11th) #67 Cody Lucas
12th) #29L Johnny Lindenpitz
13th) #55 Denny Fenton
14th) #113 Ben Ecelberger
15th) #77 Nathan Brady
16th) #33K Kyle Knapp
BRP Big Block Modified Tour
1st) #10 Ryan Susice
2nd) #25 Erick Rudolph
3rd) #165 Rex King Jr.
4th) #11R Brad Rapp
5th) #C3 Chas Wolbert
6th) #33 Tyler Willard
7th) #20P Mike Kinney
8th) #29 Garrett Krummert
9th) #61 Dave Murdick
10th) #13 Rick Regalski
11th) #25B Steve Barr
12th) #18 Colton Walters
13th) #35 Steve Slater
14th) #27Z Ray Bliss
15th) #03 Mark Frankhouser
16th) #64 Rodney Beltz
17th) #74 Kevin Green
Cypress Clock & Gift Shop Pro Stocks
1st) #55 Brandon Connor
2nd) #37A Jim Bloom
3rd) #V2 Bob Connor
4th) #12M Trevor McCann
5th) #43 Pernell Beimel
6th) #23JR Ray Reynolds
7th) #35 Brian Fabiano
8th) #983 Zack Gustafson
Swanson Heavy Truck Repair Semi Late Models
1st) #5X Nick Erskine
2nd) #3xAA Doug Surra
3rd) #11 Kyle Shannon
4th) #23 B.J. Hudson
5th) #15 Andy VanCuren
6th) #10R Raven Fuller
7th) #23JR Bill Phillips
8th) #75 Dennis Curry
9th) #44 Dan Smeal
Sunny 106 Four-Cylinders
1st) #3H Shawn Hadden
2nd) #26B Adam Bales
3rd) #81S Devin Thompson
4th) #17 Randy Albert
5th) #88 Cory Price
6th) #79 Devon Trayer
7th) #6 Mike Kelley
8th) #569 Blake Joiner
9th) #35K Heidi Miller
10th) #22L Austin Lowe