For Immediate Release
Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets
Sauble Speedway, Ont.
September 1st & Sept 2nd, 2012
CRESSWELL AND GRAY IN VICTORY LANE AT SAUBLE SPEEDWAY
Todd Cresswell and James Gray grabbed the checkered flag in a wild points doubleheader weekend for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Sauble Speedway. With one race remaining for the 2012 season on September 22nd at Flamboro Speedway, the Champion will be decided not only on quick cars and talented drivers but on 'Good Luck' as well.
Darren McLennan was leading the points coming into the holiday weekend by seven over Rob Neely. Neely's luck ran out as he got caught up in wreck with Mack DeMan (4th in points) after Chris Holman blew a motor with only two laps in on Saturday night's feature race. Neely and DeMan were out of the race and it looked like McLennan had a lock on the Championship by 77 points over Neely at the end of the night. However, with a lot of work by 'crew chief' Ken Lorenz, Neely and Justin Fraser, the car was ready for Sunday's race. DeMan was also repaired and ready to go.
On Sunday, McLennan saw his luck so sour on lap 23, as he went into the wall in turn one while running 5th, taking him out of the race. Now the points are back to a difference of 23 between McLennan and Neely as Neely finished 3rd in the feature and DeMan is now up to 3rd in points. Mathematically with 180 total points for a good night, it's anyone's guess who will bring home the Champion's Trophy.
Sauble Speedway scheduled Sunday's race of the doubleheader for the afternoon as a treat to all the fans at the end of a terrific season and the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets were the final race of the day. At the drop of the green by starter Dale Shunamon, Todd Cresswell shot out to the lead followed by Corey Moesker and Rob Neely. Mack DeMan and Jeff Blackburn rounded out the top five. Blackburn began to fade and James Gray moved into that 5th spot. Cresswell began to stretch his lead as Moesker and Neely fought for position. McLennan, starting in 9th place was now up to sixth and closing in on Gray. On lap 9, McLennan made his move around Gray and joined the top five.
At the halfway point DeMan got under Neely and took over 3rd place as McLennan and Gray ran side by side for the fifth spot. Cresswell had command of the field as Moesker hung on to second place. Neely was all over DeMan looking for an opportunity to move back into the top three. At the start of lap 23 McLennan and Gray raced side by side going into turn one and McLennan went hard into the wall. The red flag came out to check on McLennan, but except for a sore elbow, he was fine, however his car was not. At the restart Daniel Bois spun in turn four bringing out the caution.
Cresswell took the lead as the green flew again for lap 23 as DeMan was on the back of Moesker. Neely was close behind. With one lap to go DeMan was down low behind Moesker and Neely went high to complete the pass and take over third place. Cresswell took the checkered flag followed by Moesker, Neely, DeMan and Adrian Stahle.
In Victory Lane, Cresswell thanked his Dad and Mom for all their support and Ken Lorenz for the use of his motor. "I especially want to thank the all fans of Sauble Speedway for being here today and Lucas Oil for all their years of sponsorship of this Can-Am Midget series." Heats were won by Cresswell and DeMan. The 'B' Feature was won by Tom Kyle.
Final finish for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Sauble Speedway on Sunday, September 2, 2012 was...1. TODD CRESSWELL, 2. Corey Moesker, 3. Rob Neely, 4. Mack DeMan, 5. Adrian Stahle, 6. Jeff Blackburn, 7. Chris Holman, 8. Tom Kyle, 9. James Gray, 10. Daniel Bois, 11. Dave Hickson, 12. Carey Hickson, 13. Darren McLennan, 14. Chris Bauman, 15. David Balych, 16. Earl Caine. DNS..Ryan Fraser.
JAMES GRAY WINS CAN-AM RACE AT SAUBLE SPEEDWAY
James Gray won his second feature race of the 2012 Lucas Oil Can-Am Midget series on Saturday night at Sauble Speedway. Taking the lead on lap one, Gray held the command for all 25 laps. Thanking his family, especially his Dad for all his hard work, Gray was excited with his win. "I want to thank Lucas Oil, National Exhaust and Thom Boys Powersports for all their help", said Gray. "This win is for my team".
Taking the lead at the drop of the green flag from his 3rd place starting spot, Gray set the pace for this 25 lap event. Adrian Stahle was second followed by Tom Kyle, Todd Cresswell and Chris Holman. Cresswell spun coming out of turn four on the next lap bringing out the first caution. It was not Holman's night as one lap later his motor let go coming into turn three collecting Mack DeMan and Rob Neely. DeMan and Neely went hard into the turn three wall. Neely had a sore right arm and DeMan was ok. All three TQ's were done for the night.
When the field returned to green, Gray again took command and opened up a sizable lead over Stahle. Tom Kyle now had Darren McLennan on his back followed by Daniel Bois, driving the TQ#12 for David Balych. McLennan passed Kyle and set sites on Stahle.
Ten laps in and Gray began to lap the field. "Rookie of the Year" Stahle battled the veteran and defending Champion McLennan lap after lap holding him off until lap 15. McLennan made a quick move and took over second place. Kyle remained in 4th as Corey Moesker passed Bois to move into the top five. With 5 laps to go, Gray saw his lead start to shrink as McLennan turned up the heat but the laps ticked off and Gray kept the point and took the win with a 5 car length lead at the finish over McLennan. Stahle finished 3rd, followed by Moesker and Cresswell.
Heat were won by Gray and DeMan. The 'B' Feature race was won by Rookie Ryan Fraser, starting from last place to win in his first ever race in a TQ Midget owned by Rob Neely. He also had a very respectible tenth place finish in the feature race.
Final Finish for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Sauble Speedway on Saturday, September 1, 2012 was...1.JAMES GRAY, 2. Darren McLennan, 3. Adrian Stahle, 4. Corey Moesker, 5. Todd Cresswell, 6. Daniel Bois, 7. Tom Kyle, 8. Jeff Blackburn, 9. Chris Bauman, 10. Ryan Fraser, 11. Dave Hickson, 12. Chris Ralph, 13. Earl Caine, 14. Carey Hickson, 15. Chris Holman, 16. Mack DeMan, 17. Rob Neely. DNS...Craig Mackereth.
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets will have their final race of the 2012 season, their 47th year, on September 22nd at Flamboro Speedway. Get your tickets early.
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets 'unofficial' Top Ten in points as of September 2, 2012 are...1. DARREN MCLENNAN...2339, 2. Rob Neely...2316, 3. Mack DeMan...2289, 4. James Gray...2273, 5. Corey Moesker...2147, 6. Adrian Stahle...2081, 7. Todd Cresswell...2048, 8. Chris Holman...2030, 9. Jeff Blackburn...2026, 10. Tom Kyle...1833.
For more information on the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets, contact Cindy Lorenz at clorenz74@yahoo.com
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