LOCAL TRACKS: Smith wins NY6A opener at Genesee

May 12—Scranton's Mikey Smith got his season off to a hot start by winning the NY6A Hoosier 600 Sprint Tour opener at Genesee Speedway in Batavia, New York.

Smith won his heat race, then drew the No. 1 starting pill for the feature. He led all 20 laps, pulling away from local driver Nick Groff on a restart with two laps to go.

"The car felt great, took off right from the start of the race," Smith said. "I worked my way to find the right line for the track. I felt like I was pulling away and the car was doing its thing perfectly. There were a couple cautions, but on each restart I just kept my pacing up to get the right momentum to stay in the lead."

It was a victory that almost didn't happen.

In his penultimate race last season, Smith wrecked his car. Over the winter, work obligations prevented him from repairing the car as much as he would have liked. It wasn't until one week before the NY6A opener that he and his crew were able to work on it for this season.

The night before the race, they had some test-and-tune issues with the motor.

"We came across a wiring issue and, the morning of the race, we were making a harness swap for the issue," Smith said. "A hot wire grounded to the body panel of the car and the whole wiring harness went up in smoke and flames. The whole car was in flames the morning of the race. That was the whole hassle we had there."

After putting out the fire, cleaning up the car and installing the new wiring harness, the team still had to make the four-hour drive to the track. They arrived at 5 p.m. — just before the driver entry gate closed.

Given everything he went through, winning the race made it all worth it.

"With the background story, it definitely was a great way to start the season," Smith said. "I wasn't expecting it to be that scary to make it to the first race. But once we made it there and got out on our hot laps session, the car was doing exactly what we needed it to. Getting the checkered flag was a big stress relief for me and the whole team after rushing our whole week and driving the whole four hours out there."

A 2020 graduate of Scranton High School, the 21-year-old Smith went to the Lackawanna County Career Technology Center for welding. He started his racing career in 2014 in go-karts at Snydersville Speedway, then moved to 600 micro sprints at Hamlin Speedway. His older brother Johnny, nicknamed "The Firecracker Kid," also races.

Last season, Smith ran the NY6A Tour on a partial basis and had three feature wins. This season, his plan is to run the entire 16-race schedule. The next race is Saturday at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, New York. The tour is also slated to appear at Penn Can Speedway in Susquehanna on July 28 and Sept. 15 during the "King of the Can" weekend.

"I'm going for the points championship this year, so my goal is to make it to every race," Smith said.

Fast tracks

Lake Ariel's Micah Adams won the 25-lap Four-Cylinder Stock feature during the season opener at Evergreen Speedway in St. Johns outside Drums. Adams took the lead on a lap-11 restart and drove off to his first win in the division in two years. ... At Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville, Nick Rochinski of Dickson City finished sixth in the Modified feature and Bobby Trapper Jr. from Scranton was 15th. Taylor's Mike Loney placed ninth in the Crate 602 Sportsman feature. ... At Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Eddie Strada of South Canaan finished fifth in the 30-lap Modified feature. Trapper Jr. was seventh and Bob Trapper from Scranton was 26th. ... In the 32-lap Mitch Gibbs Tribune Modified feature at Afton Motorsports Park in New York, Dan Vauter of Forest City finished seventh, Brett Tonkin from Carbondale was 10th, Old Forge's Bobby Puckett was 11th, Brian Mady of Hawley was 18th and Nick Mady from Dingman's Ferry was 22nd. ... Lake Ariel's Brian Malcolm took sixth in the 35-lap Modified feature at Thunder Mountain Speedway. ... Penn Can Speedway is in action Friday at 6:45 p.m. with all divisions on the program. It is the Mother's Day Special with $5 admission for all moms plus Powder Puff races. ... Hamlin Speedway has all divisions scheduled to compete Saturday at 6 p.m., headlined by the Junior Slingshot Special=Rising Star Series paying $500 to win.

Local Track May 5-7 results

PENN CAN SPEEDWAY

May 5 results

MODIFIEDS — Alex Tonkin, Danny Creeden, Brett Tonkin, Alan Rudalavage, Kevin Hartnett, Brad Szulewski, Nick Petrilak, Darwin Greene Sr., John Michael Phillips, Brandon Fritsch, Casey Plummer, Doug Polhamus, Alan Komar, George Kostelansky, Travis Brockner, Frank Yankowski, Justin Holland, Brian Franko, Dan Vauter, Alex Stanton, Brian Malcolm, Matt Soblechi

602 CRATE SPORTSMAN — Mike Nagel Jr., Ray Leonard, Alex Konopka, Mike Schane, Kolyn Schane, Tyler Peet, Tommy Groover, Brandon Oleski, Adam Mudge, Michael Samony, Jim O'Hara, Brad Bummar, Eddie Kudrako, Brett Wooster, Brad Weaver, Dave Leyshon, Ned Fitch, Dave Rosa, Josh Fedo, Ralph Mele

FACTORY STOCK TOMMY BOY 25 — Eric Beach, Jordan Towner, Rich Green, Kevin Welch, Charlie Gilbert, Brad Chilson, Jeremie Hale Jr., Adam Gilbert, Kevin MacDonald, Kyle Spoor, CJ Swanson, Derren Davies, Justin Slezak, Rich Sharpsteen. DNS: Daniel Stevens

600cc MODIFIEDS — Chuck Lohmeyer, Bumps Scutt, Jeff Baldwin, Darwin Green Jr., Brenton Payne, Larry Furman, Ethan Johnson, Jeffrey Martin, Tori Straway, Nate Oropallo, Jack Sherwood, Phil Burns, Jared Green. DNS: Scott Beach

FOUR CYLINDERS — Jeff Sterling, Rich Wagner, Josh Wilder, Chris Yob, Collin Mills, Rob Sterling, Mike Jenks, Davd Benson, Andy Bolles, Mike Abbott, Brian Salmini, Bryant Beach, Tim Vandermark, Jeremy Trunzo

LIMITED SPORTSMAN — Charlie Towner, Derrick Schaffer, Amanda Scholtisek

May 7 Kart results

MIDGETS — Senior Honda: Jakob Bedford; Blue Plate: Travis Towner

ROOKIE/NOVICE — Ian Collins, Zac Collins, Josh Budine, Matt Benson, Adam Briggs, Nicole Furman, William Towner, Shawn Krause, Hannah Jones

JUNIOR 1 — Brayden Lee, Brayden Krause, Bryson Nagel, Spencer Stanton, Bob Goodrich, Zander Stanton

JUNIOR 2 — Evan Benson, Kody Monks, Bryce Martin, Delana Evans

JUNIOR 3 — Jackson Velez, Camryn Mills, Joey Oropallo, Adrianna Buchanan, Heather Moser, Owen Benson

CHAMPS — Mike Stark, Kyle Rogers

CLONE — Jeremy Tuttle, Brandon Walsh, Tito Velez, Memphis Collins

GHOST 360 — Jeremy Tuttle, Tito Velez, Josh Budine, Brian Mills, Kyle Rogers

HAMLIN SPEEDWAY

May 6 results

JUNIOR SLINGSHOTS (20 Laps) — Braxton Dembek; Christofer Tittle; Trevor Houghton; Brayden Traver; Logan Mears; Jakoby Thompson; Darian Danyluk; Brianna Reynolds; Preston Trautschold

ALL-STAR SLINGSHOTS (20 Laps) — Lydia Novarro; Andrew Turpin; Garrett Chillot; Brad Crandall; Griffin Hendershot; Dylan Hahn; Brian Smith; Hunter Handelong; Patrick Weiss; Tucker Jones; David Luethe; Cole Armstrong; Sophia Spear; Bob Miller; Brayden Granger

XCEL 600s (20 Laps) — Jordan Tittle; Kevin McGinty; John Martinsky Sr.; Olivia Schmeltzer; Justin Maylath; Gene Hartrum; Tim Bauer; Thomas Nettleship

ROOKIE 600 SPRINTS (20 Laps) — Cole Perez; Ryan Rochelle; Nate Freed; Richard Ptaszynski; Weston Doklan; Vincent Gueci; Baker Richie Jr.; Jace Marshall; Abel Engler; Kevin Schultz; Brad Gumble; Bob Snyder Jr.; Leroy Sorenson

WINGLESS 600 SPRINTS (20 Laps) — Pat Bealer; Michael Nolf; Morgan Rochelle; Joseph J Smith; Jordan Tittle; Cole Perez; Kevin Nolf; Jasper Zeigafuse; Connor Mirabelli; Tony Parlanti; Jordan Nonnemacher; Evan Nolf; Kate Mattern; Weston Doklan; Abel Engler; Ryan Schultz; Dennis Stawinsky Jr.

STAGE ONE MODIFIEDS (20 Laps) — Colin Cox; Brett Smith; Owen Cassel; Gavyn Krupp; Lawson Szerencits; David Baker; Paul Ennes; Jake Moyer; Johnny Fugelo; Samantha Maguire; Matthew Ennes; Anthony Wood; Peyton Knecht; Joel Price; Peyton Cassel; Stephen Ennes; Chad Riddle; Troy Maurizzio; Stephen Smith

WINGED 600 SPRINTS (20 Laps) — Evan Nolf; Kevin Nolf; Taylor Troxel; Adam Sadlon

FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY

Kirkwood, N.Y.

May 7 results

CRATE SPORTSMAN (25 LAPS) — Ray Leonard, Seth Zacharias, Gary Smith, Brad Weaver, Dale Welty, Charlie Towner, Tom Groover.

FACTORY STOCK (25 LAPS) — Dominik Albanese, Kevin McDonald, Rich Sharspteen, Chris Woodard, Luke Mills, Justin Lovejoy, Buck Mills Jr., Justin Slezak, Nick Stark.

FOUR CYLINDER EXPERT (20 LAPS) — Kenny Underwood, Bryant Beach, Brian Salmini, Mike Ferris, John Maynard, Mike Giriatowicz, Dave Simms, Jason Colwell Sr., DNS — Colin Mills.

FOUR CYLINDER NOVICE (15 LAPS) — Bruce Illenberg, Ed Reichenbaugh, Scott Young. DNS — Jesse Lovejoy.

FUTURE SPORTSMAN (20 LAPS) — Lance Hill, Avery Decker, Cameron Reichenbaugh.

600cc MODIFIED (20 LAPS) — Soug Newbigging, Justin Ladue, Kyle Percy, Logan Ladue, Gaege Higley.

PENN CAN SPEEDWAY May 5

MODIFIEDS — Alex Tonkin, Danny Creeden, Brett Tonkin, Alan Rudalavage, Kevin Hartnett, Brad Szulewski, Nick Petrilak, Darwin Greene Sr., John Michael Phillips, Brandon Fritsch, Casey Plummer, Doug Polhamus, Alan Komar, George Kostelansky, Travis Brockner, Frank Yankowski, Justin Holland, Brian Franko, Dan Vauter, Alex Stanton, Brian Malcolm, Matt Soblechi

602 CRATE SPORTSMAN — Mike Nagel Jr., Ray Leonard, Alex Konopka, Mike Schane, Kolyn Schane, Tyler Peet, Tommy Groover, Brandon Oleski, Adam Mudge, Michael Samony, Jim O'Hara, Brad Bummar, Eddie Kudrako, Brett Wooster, Brad Weaver, Dave Leyshon, Ned Fitch, Dave Rosa, Josh Fedo, Ralph Mele

FACTORY STOCK TOMMY BOY 25 — Eric Beach, Jordan Towner, Rich Green, Kevin Welch, Charlie Gilbert, Brad Chilson, Jeremie Hale Jr., Adam Gilbert, Kevin MacDonald, Kyle Spoor, CJ Swanson, Derren Davies, Justin Slezak, Rich Sharpsteen. DNS: Daniel Stevens

600cc MODIFIEDS — Chuck Lohmeyer, Bumps Scutt, Jeff Baldwin, Darwin Green Jr., Brenton Payne, Larry Furman, Ethan Johnson, Jeffrey Martin, Tori Straway, Nate Oropallo, Jack Sherwood, Phil Burns, Jared Green. DNS: Scott Beach

FOUR CYLINDERS — Jeff Sterling, Rich Wagner, Josh Wilder, Chris Yob, Collin Mills, Rob Sterling, Mike Jenks, Davd Benson, Andy Bolles, Mike Abbott, Brian Salmini, Bryant Beach, Tim Vandermark, Jeremy Trunzo

LIMITED SPORTSMAN — Charlie Towner, Derrick Schaffer, Amanda Scholtisek

May 7 Kart results

MIDGETS — Senior Honda: Jakob Bedford; Blue Plate: Travis Towner

ROOKIE/NOVICE — Ian Collins, Zac Collins, Josh Budine, Matt Benson, Adam Briggs, Nicole Furman, William Towner, Shawn Krause, Hannah Jones

JUNIOR 1 — Brayden Lee, Brayden Krause, Bryson Nagel, Spencer Stanton, Bob Goodrich, Zander Stanton

JUNIOR 2 — Evan Benson, Kody Monks, Bryce Martin, Delana Evans

JUNIOR 3 — Jackson Velez, Camryn Mills, Joey Oropallo, Adrianna Buchanan, Heather Moser, Owen Benson

CHAMPS — Mike Stark, Kyle Rogers

CLONE — Jeremy Tuttle, Brandon Walsh, Tito Velez, Memphis Collins

GHOST 360 — Jeremy Tuttle, Tito Velez, Josh Budine, Brian Mills, Kyle Rogers

HAMLIN SPEEDWAY May 6 results 20 laps

JUNIOR SLINGSHOTS — Braxton Dembek; Christofer Tittle; Trevor Houghton; Brayden Traver; Logan Mears; Jakoby Thompson; Darian Danyluk; Brianna Reynolds; Preston Trautschold

ALL-STAR SLINGSHOTS — Lydia Novarro; Andrew Turpin; Garrett Chillot; Brad Crandall; Griffin Hendershot; Dylan Hahn; Brian Smith; Hunter Handelong; Patrick Weiss; Tucker Jones; David Luethe; Cole Armstrong; Sophia Spear; Bob Miller; Brayden Granger

XCEL 600s — Jordan Tittle; Kevin McGinty; John Martinsky Sr.; Olivia Schmeltzer; Justin Maylath; Gene Hartrum; Tim Bauer; Thomas Nettleship

ROOKIE 600 SPRINTS — Cole Perez; Ryan Rochelle; Nate Freed; Richard Ptaszynski; Weston Doklan; Vincent Gueci; Baker Richie Jr.; Jace Marshall; Abel Engler; Kevin Schultz; Brad Gumble; Bob Snyder Jr.; Leroy Sorenson

WINGLESS 600 SPRINTS — Pat Bealer; Michael Nolf; Morgan Rochelle; Joseph J Smith; Jordan Tittle; Cole Perez; Kevin Nolf; Jasper Zeigafuse; Connor Mirabelli; Tony Parlanti; Jordan Nonnemacher; Evan Nolf; Kate Mattern; Weston Doklan; Abel Engler; Ryan Schultz; Dennis Stawinsky Jr.

STAGE ONE MODIFIEDS — Colin Cox; Brett Smith; Owen Cassel; Gavyn Krupp; Lawson Szerencits; David Baker; Paul Ennes; Jake Moyer; Johnny Fugelo; Samantha Maguire; Matthew Ennes; Anthony Wood; Peyton Knecht; Joel Price; Peyton Cassel; Stephen Ennes; Chad Riddle; Troy Maurizzio; Stephen Smith

WINGED 600 SPRINTS (20 Laps) — Evan Nolf; Kevin Nolf; Taylor Troxel; Adam Sadlon

FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY Kirkwood, N.Y. May 7 results

CRATE SPORTSMAN (25 laps) — Ray Leonard, Seth Zacharias, Gary Smith, Brad Weaver, Dale Welty, Charlie Towner, Tom Groover.

FACTORY STOCK (25 laps) — Dominik Albanese, Kevin McDonald, Rich Sharspteen, Chris Woodard, Luke Mills, Justin Lovejoy, Buck Mills Jr., Justin Slezak, Nick Stark.

FOUR CYLINDER EXPERT (20 laps) — Kenny Underwood, Bryant Beach, Brian Salmini, Mike Ferris, John Maynard, Mike Giriatowicz, Dave Simms, Jason Colwell Sr., DNS — Colin Mills.

FOUR CYLINDER NOVICE (15 laps) — Bruce Illenberg, Ed Reichenbaugh, Scott Young. DNS — Jesse Lovejoy.

FUTURE SPORTSMAN (20 laps) — Lance Hill, Avery Decker, Cameron Reichenbaugh.

600cc MODIFIED (20 laps) — Soug Newbigging, Justin Ladue, Kyle Percy, Logan Ladue, Gaege Higley.

SCOTT WALSH covers motor sports for The Times-Tribune. Contact him at swalsh@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 ext. 5109; and follow him @swalshTT on Twitter.