Reynoldsville (April 29)- The 2006 racing season kicked off Saturday evening at Hummingbird Speedway with Jim Parson, Jr. of Bellwood, Dan Smeal of Houtzdale, Matt Heindl of St. Marys, and Don Henry and Gerald Royer both of DuBois claiming victory.
The Brookville Wood Products limited late models were next on the speedway with Parson and Billy Dickson leading the field to the green flag. Parson jumped to the early lead in the 25-lap main with Dickson and Chuck Kennedy battling side by side for second. Parson and Kennedy pulled away from the field after a lap 3 caution with Tom Snyder and Dave Shagla, Jr. hooked up in a good battle for third. Shagla was able to power by Kennedy after a lap 8 caution for second place and set his sights on Parson. Parson was smooth as he continued to lead at the halfway mark with Shagla, Chris Farrell, Kennedy, and Bob McMillen trying to close the gap. Things got interesting in the final laps as Parson and Shagla encountered lapped traffic. Parson went to the low side of a lapped car with Shagla going high coming to the checkered flag, but it was Parson by a half a car length at the line to take his first win at the speedway. Shagla and Snyder copped the heats.
The Prontock Beer Distributing four-cylinders opened the feature action with Alan Barnett and Ken Erskine leading the way in the 15-lap race. After a complete restart Henry jumped to the early lead with Kyle Parson, Barnett, and Adam Nixon running close for second. Henry was strong as he started to lap cars by the sixth circuit. Henry held a comfortable lead at the midway point with Parson, Nixon, Barnett, and Bill Washek completing the top five. The field was bunched together one last time on lap 8 after Parson spun his car on the backstretch. Once again, Henry pulled away on the restart, and cruised to the win. Henry, Parson, and Nixon claimed the heat race wins. Jamie Price and Bob Connor led the 20-lap street stock feature onto the track. Price took the early lead with pressure being applied by Smeal. Smeal went to the low side of Price in turn one and took over the lead on lap 3. Lap 6 saw a caution fly after Price got sideways in turn four collecting Scott Alvetro and Trent Ogden in the mishap. Price’s car received heavy rear end damage while Alvetro and Ogden returned after repairs to their cars. Smeal held the lead at the midway point with Connor, Levi Ardery, Dom Surra, and Fuzzy Fields keeping things close. Cautions on laps 12 and 15 kept the field close, but in the end it was all Smeal as he took the checkered flag. Connor and Alvetro claimed the heat race wins.
