For Immediate Release
Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets/Casey's Midgets
Lake Erie Speedway, Erie, PA
June 10, 2012
MACK DEMAN WINS 2ND JOINT VENTURE TQ MIDGET RACE
For the second year in a row, Mack DeMan won the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midget feature race in the joint venture of the Casey's Midgets and the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Lake Erie Speedway in Erie, PA. on Saturday night. This was the third year that both clubs came together with Canadian and American racers from Western New York and Southern Ontario. Hobis Auto Parts from Erie, PA, again sponsored this annual event as a tribute to Al Bonnell, a midget racer from the 30's and 40's at the old Civic Stadium in Buffalo, NY.
Accepting the checkered flag in front of a crowd of over 8000 fans, DeMan explained that he was thankful for even being alive after getting cut in an accident a few weeks ago and now has a large scar on his neck. After thanking his Mom for agreeing to let him go racing, DeMan started 11th in the 20 lap feature race and took over the lead with 3 laps to go and held on for the win. Thanking Lucas Oil and Crown Steering and Brake, DeMan said the only changes made to the car since the last race was replacing the front axle. He said it made all the difference in the handling of the car. "Without all the help from Andy Mackereth, Craig Mackereth and my Dad, I wouldn't be able to enjoy this victory", said DeMan.
At the drop of the green, Tom Kyle took the lead from his pole position while David Balych and Todd Cresswell battled for the second spot. ISMA supermodified driver Dave McKnight Jr., driving TQ #20 for David Balych was in fourth, followed by Chris Holman. After two laps Cresswell shot out to the lead passing Kyle coming out of turn three. Stretching his lead over the field, it looked like Cresswell was in a class of his own. Kyle held on to second as McKnight took over third. Balych now had Corey Moesker, last race winner, on his tail pushing for the fourth spot. By lap 5 DeMan was now in 7th at this 3/8 mile semi banked oval.
The first and only caution came out on lap 7 as Holman spun. At the restart Cresswell took over command as Kyle and McKnight fought for second. Moesker was fourth and DeMan moved into the top five. At the half-way point, Cresswell had a 15 car lead over the field, Moesker was now in second and DeMan made a quick move around Kyle and McKnight taking over third place.
On lap 14 a disappointed Cresswell pulled into the infield, ending his night with a broken hub. Moesker inherited the lead with DeMan now on the hunt for the point. Moesker held him off for three laps but couldn't stop the determined DeMan. With one swift move DeMan now had the lead with three to go. At the flag it was DeMan, Moesker, McKnight Jr., Kyle and Balych. DeMan now had his second win of the season with the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets and continued his lead in the point's series.
Heat one went to Barry Dunn. Rob Neely won the second heat race. After the race Dunn was DQ'd for a technicality and the win went to Jeff Blackburn.
The crowd was treated to a parade lap before the feature races of all the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets and the Casey's Midgets going four abreast as a salute to the fans. A big 'Thank You' went to Northwest Savings Bank as the night's sponsor at Lake Erie Speedway.
The Casey's Midgets ran their feature green to checkered and Andy Nye took the win followed by his brother Sean Nye. Camden Barber was third, Dave Wollaber was 4th and Jonathan Reid, driving for Harry Macy rounded the top five. Twin Village Recycling and Casey's Truck Salvage are the sponsors of this series.
Fans north of the border will be treated to this joint venture of the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets and the Casey's Midgets for the first time at Sunset Speedway (Ont.) on Saturday, August 11th.
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets next travel to Peterborough Speedway, Ont. on Saturday, June 16th.
Final finish for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Lake Erie Speedway on June 9th was...1. MACK DEMAN, 2. Corey Moesker, 3. Dave McKnight Jr., 4. Tom Kyle, 5. David Balych, 6. Rob Neely, 7. James Gray, 8. Darren McLennan, 9. Adrian Stahle (R), 10. Chris Bauman, 11. Barry Dunn, 12. Todd Cresswell, 13. Chris Holman, 14. Rob DiVenanzo. DNS..Jeff Blackburn, Greg Smulders, Peter DeMan.
Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets' series points as of June 9th...1. MACK DEMAN...556, 2. Corey Moesker...504, 3. Darren McLennan...503, 4. Rob Neely...493, 5. James Gray...473, 6. Chris Holman...437, 7. David Balych...435, 8. Tom Kyle...418, 9. Todd Cresswell...416, 10. Adrain Stahle (R)...378, 11. Chris Bauman...359, 12. Dave McKnight Jr....353, 13. Jeff Blackburn...348, 14. Barry Dunn...329, 15. Rob DiVenanzo...316, 16. Greg Smulders...240, 17. Mike Westwood...202, 18. Dave Hickson...195, 19. Earl Caine...176, 20. Keith Dempster...120, 21. Andy Mackereth...103, 22. Craig Mackereth...52.
For more information on the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets, contact Cindy Lorenz at clorenz74@yahoo.com
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