For Immediate Release
Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets
Grand Bend Speedway, ON
July 4, 2015
by Cindy Lorenz
Photos by Paul Husby
Ryan Fraser Winner Twin 25's Feature 1
Top 3 Twin 25's 1st Race..Barry Dunn 3rd, Ryan Fraser Winner, Adam Walsh 2nd
Top 3 Twin 25's 2nd Race...Ryan Susice 3rd, Mack DeMan Winner, Tyler Turnbul
FRASER AND DEMAN WIN 'TWIN 25'S' AT GRAND BEND SPEEDWAY
Ryan Fraser and Mack DeMan took home the wins at the first 'Special Twin 25's' for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets celebrating their 50th Anniversary Year at Grand Bend Speedway Saturday night. The Discovery Channel's 'Mega Speed' show was there to film all the action.
After the initial yellow at the start, the 25 lap first feature event went 'green to checkered' with Fraser in 'Victory Lane' for the second time this season. Accepting the winners trophy Fraser said "I have so many people that helped me get this win. First my Dad, Jeff Hanley, Billy Pippard, my grandfather, and my great sponsors...Southworks Outlet Mall, Neely Auto, Acton Optical, DJD Graphics, and Dryden Autobody. I also want to thank Promoter Brad Clark from Grand Bend Speedway, all the fans that came to see us race, Club sponsor Lucas Oil and the Can-Am Midget Racing Club. I am having so much fun this year."
The second 25 lap feature had DeMan take the lead from Rob Neely on lap 10 and never look back. This is DeMan's 4th win of the season. "I want to thank my Mom and Dad for all their help, Lucas Oil, Crown Steering and Brake, DeMan Construction, Paragon Collision Center, Team LTD, and All-Type Welding. This win is for all of you", said DeMan.
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets lined up in front of the grandstands for an autograph session for the fans before the start of the first 25 lap feature race. After introductions by announcer Jared Doxtator, the motors were fired up. Adam Walsh, from Vancouver,BC was on pole with Barry Dunn on the outside. At the start going into turn one on this very tight corner a number of cars were collected and the yellow was thrown. Going into the pits for repairs were Darren McLennan, Corey Moesker and Steve Murdock. Going to the back of the field for restart was Todd Cresswell and DeMan.
As the green flag flew for the restart Walsh took the lead with Fraser in second. Barry Dunn was third followed by Neely and Tyler Turnbull. As Walsh and Fraser fought for the lead Brandon Zavarella passed Turnbull to join the top five. Walsh was holding on tight to the lead as Fraser was all over his back looking for the opportunity to take over the point. Turning laps in the low 11 second range at this 1/4 mile semi banked tri-oval Walsh and Fraser battled lap after lap. Dunn, Neely, and Zavarella were close behind fighting for position.
Making his way through the field after starting at the back from the first lap caution DeMan began picking off cars one by one. Rookie Ryan Susice, from Ransomville, NY, for the first time in a TQ Midget outdoors on an asphalt track, was in the top ten on his second lap. Driving for Jerrid Morphy, this DIRT Modified driver also pilots one of the Lafler/Pippard indoor cars in the winter at the Atlantic City Indoor races. With 8 laps in and Walsh and Fraser still in the fight DeMan passed Susice and set his sites on Turnbull, now in the 6th spot. Turnbull held strong and wouldn't give up the position lightly.
At the halfway point Walsh continued his lead but couldn't shake off Fraser. Dunn held on to 3rd with Neely and Zavarella going side by side. DeMan got into the mix and passed Zavarella for the 5th spot. With 5 to go Fraser looked for his opportunity and found it coming out of turn 4, taking over the lead and starting to lap cars. Dunn hung on to third place with Neely and DeMan fighting for fourth place. With two laps to go DeMan made his move around Neely but ran out of time to catch the leaders. Fraser took the win followed by Walsh, Dunn, DeMan and Neely.
Heats were won by Turnbull and Dunn. The 'B' Main won by McLennan. Of note..Susice finished a respectable 8th and Rookie James Marche rounded out the top ten.
Final finish for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets 1st 'Twin 25' race at Grand Bend Speedway on July 4th was...1. RYAN FRASER, 2. Adam Walsh, 3. Barry Dunn, 4. Mack DeMan, 5. Rob Neely, 6. Tyler Turnbull, 7. Todd Cresswell, 8. Ryan Susice (R), 9. Brandon Zavarella, 10. James Marche (R), 11. Tom Kyle, 12. Craig Pitchell (R), 13. Dave Hickson, 14. Kent Turnbull, 15. Darren McLennan, 16. Corey Moesker, 17. Steve Murdock (R). DNS...Adrian Stahle.
DEMAN WINS AT GRAND BEND WITH LUCAS OIL CAN-AM MIDGETS
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets held their first of three 'Twin 25's' Special races this year at Grand Bend Speedway (The Bullring) on Saturday night. The next 'Twin 25's' race will be next Saturday at Sunset Speedway. Ryan Fraser won the first 25 lap race and the cars went into the pits to get ready for the second race. After the first 25 lap feature, a draw determined the top six finishers would be inverted for the second 25 lap event with the remaining cars to go 'heads up' from the first race. That put Turnbull on the pole and Neely on the outside for the start.
At the drop of the green flag Neely took the lead with Turnbull and Mack DeMan fighting for second place. Walsh was fourth with Fraser rounding the top five. Todd Cresswell and Rookie Susice had a good race going on for the sixth spot. Neely held the lead with strong runner Turnbull in pursuit. Fraser passed Walsh for fourth as Susice won the battle with Cresswell and was now in 6th. DeMan sized up Turnbull and made his move into second place and set sites on Neely. One lap later the first caution came out for a spin by Dave Hickson in turn 3. At the restart Neely held his ground for 2 more laps as DeMan was coming on strong.
With 10 laps in DeMan took over the point followed by Neely and Turnbull. Fraser now had Susice on his tail looking for that fourth spot. Just passed the halfway point Cresswell broke going into turn two bringing out the caution and sending him to the pits. DeMan took the lead at the restart as Turnbull pursued Neely. One lap later Turnbull jumped into second place and took a look for DeMan who had a 10 car lead. Fraser and Susice fought for position for almost 10 laps with Fraser holding strong. With the 'five to go' sign being shown Susice made his move into 4th place. Caution came out as James Marche made contact with Barry Dunn and spun putting him to the back for the restart again with 5 to go. DeMan was still in the lead followed by Turnbull, Neely and Fraser. One lap later another caution came out as Zavarella, Walsh and Dunn got together going down the front straight. Walsh and Dunn went into the pits as Zavarella went to the rear for the final restart. Susice passed Neely for 3rd and Fraser continued on that same path and took over fourth place.
DeMan charged to the checkered flag with Turnbull finishing second, Susice in a great 1st run finished 3rd, with Fraser and Neely rounding the top five.
Final finish for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets 2nd race of the 'Twin 25's' is...1. MACK DEMAN, 2.Tyler Turnbull, 3. Ryan Susice, 4. Ryan Fraser, 5. Rob Neely, 6. Corey Moesker, 7. James Marche (R), 8. Tom Kyle, 9. Brandon Zavarella, 10. Craig Pitchell (R), 11. Adrian Stahle, 12. Steve Murdock (R), 13. Adam Walsh, 14. Barry Dunn, 15. Darren McLennan, 16. Todd Cresswell, 17. Dave Hickson. DNS...Kent Turnbull.
Final points for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets Top Ten Drivers as of July 4, 2015 are...1. MACK DEMAN....901, 2. Rob Neely...760, 3. Ryan Fraser...747, 4. Tyler Turnbull...736, 5. Brandon Zavarella...734, 6. Darren McLennan...732, 7. Todd Cresswell...695, 8. Barry Dunn...634, 9. James Marche (R)...612, 10. Dave Hickson...579.
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets next head to Sunset Speedway on Saturday July 11th for their 2nd Special 'Twin 25's' in honor of their 50th Anniversary.
For more information on The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets, contact Cindy Lorenz at clorenz74@yahoo.com
Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=21425.msg113918#msg113918
