FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LUCAS OIL CAN-AM MIDGETS
BARRIE SPEEDWAY (Ont)
July 20, 2014
by Cindy Lorenz
Photos by Ralph Webbe
1. Mack DeMan wins at Barrie Speedway 7.19.2014
2. Mack DeMan winner, Jeff Blackburn 2nd at Barrie Speedway, 7.19.2014
THREE IN A ROW FOR MACK DEMAN
Mack DeMan is making a collection of the winners trophies as he took his third win in a row and fourth of the season with the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Barrie Speedway (Ont) on Saturday night. Starting 10th in the 25 lap 'A' Main, DeMan had to contend with a very strong field of cars that were also 'up' on their game for the race. Starting his own 'tradition', DeMan climbs the roll cage of his car with the winning checkered flag in hand and salutes the fans. "The car wasn't the best in the heat race but my Dad and I made a few changes for the feature and she came to life, said DeMan. I want to thank Lucas Oil for their continued support for the past 10 years, and this win is for them!"
Jeff Blackburn, on pole, was the man in charge as he set the pace for the drop of the green. Todd Cresswell, starting second, had a bobble going into turn one and lost 2 spots to Ryan Fraser and Lucas Smith. The first caution came out as Rob DiVenanzo spun and broke, going into turn two and he was out of the event. Blackburn wasted no time at the restart, taking command of the lead as Fraser and Lucas Smith battled for second. Cresswell remained in fourth followed by Barry Dunn. One lap later David Balych passed Dunn and joined the top five. A second caution came out as Dylon Smith spun, putting him to the rear of the field. At the restart Tyler Turnbull climbed over the rear tire of Rob Neely going into turn one and that sent him into the wall for a hard hit. Turnbull was ok, but the #84 was put on the hook and sent into the pits.
Blackburn again took the point for one more lap until the yellow waved as Cole Smith, from Oswego, NY, driving #4 for DeMan, got loose and spun in turn one. The field gathered up again as Blackburn took the lead. Going into another 'zone', Blackburn was determined to get that first win, having a ten car lead over Fraser and Lucas Smith. Cresswell was still in fourth place and Balych rounded the top five. Lucas Smith made a quick move under Fraser and took over second. Balych passed Cresswell for third but it was short lived as he spun in turn one, putting him to the back of the field.
At the halfway point it looked like Blackburn would be the class of the field with Lucas Smith, Cresswell and Fraser having their own battle behind him. However, now joining the top five was DeMan. The farther he got into the race the stronger he was getting. Passing Fraser on the next lap DeMan then set his target on Cresswell. Lucas Smith began to fall off the pace and Cresswell and DeMan took advantage. Neely charged around Fraser and was now in fifth place.
Two laps later with a clean swift move DeMan passed Cresswell and set sites on Blackburn. Lucas Smith hung on to fourth and Neely fifth. With 5 laps to go DeMan was closing the gap on Blackburn quickly. With four to go, DeMan caught Blackburn and with one smooth move he took over the lead. Cresswell remained in third as Neely passed Lucas Smith for fourth place. With the checkered flags waving DeMan got the win with Blackburn the runnerup followed by Cresswell, Neely and Lucas Smith.
Heats were won by Blackburn and Cresswell. The 'B' Main was won by Daniel Bois. Of Note...Brandon Zavarella, of Strykersville, NY, running for the first time with the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets, started 17th and finished 7th.
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets travel to Flamboro Speedway for the 7th race of the 2014 season on Saturday night, July 26th. With half of the season in the books, excitement is building for 2015, the celebration of the '50th' Year of Racing' for the Can-Am Midget Racing Club.
Final finish for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Barrie Speedway, July 19, 2014 is....1. MACK DEMAN, 2. Jeff Blackburn, 3. Todd Cresswell, 4. Rob Neely, 5. Lucas Smith, 6. Darren McLennan, 7. Brandon Zavarella, 8. Barry Dunn, 9. Ryan Fraser, 10. Adrian Stahle, 11. Daniel Bois, 12. Adam Racine, 13. Dylon Smith, 14. Chris Bauman, 15. Al Smith, 16. David Balych, 17. Cole Smith, 18. Tyler Turnbull, 19. Rob DiVenanzo.
Top Ten in Drivers Points for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Barrie Speedway on July 19, 2014 are...1. MACK DEMAN...1024, 2. Rob Neely...964, 3. Darren McLennan...834, 4. Adrian Stahle...786, 5. Todd Cresswell...781, 6. Ryan Fraser...758, 7. tie...Daniel Bois...750, Jeff Blackburn...750, 9. Adam Racine...745, 10. David Balych...719.
For more information on the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets, contact Cindy Lorenz at clorenz74@yahoo.com
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