For Immediate Release
Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets
Flamboro Speedway, Millgrove, ON
May 11, 2013
by Cindy Lorenz
ROB NEELY WINS ON 'OPENING DAY'
Defending Champion, Rob Neely, won the first race of the 2013 season for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Flamboro Speedway (ON) on Saturday night. Twenty midgets, including 5 rookies, took the green flag for the beginning of the 48th season for the Can-Am Midget Racing Club. Starting 7th, Neely took over the lead on lap 10 and held on until the checkered flag waved in this 25 lap feature. Thanking car owner and crew chief, Ken and Cindy Lorenz, Neely said "The car was strong tonight and I couldn't wait to get back in it after this long winter. Thanks also goes to our series sponsor, Lucas Oil, for all their support, Hoosier tires, Neely Auto and Lincoln Welders."
The green flag was thrown by starter Dale Shunamon as Rob DiVenanzo, driving for David Balych, took the lead. The caution flag came out as Jeff Blackburn spun in turn one. At the restart Darren McLennan moved to the lead but had fuel pump problems and he went into the pits. DiVenanzo began to fade in the field. Todd Cresswell took the lead as the green again was thrown with Mack DeMan and Chris Holman on his tail. Adrian Stahle was in fourth as Greg Smulders rounded out the top five.
One lap later Smulders spun and reset the field once more. DeMan now had the point followed by Cresswell and Holman. Stahle battled Corey Moesker for the fourth spot. Neely was knocking on the top five spot while on the back of Moesker. Holman and Stahle made contact in turn three, bringing out the yellow. DeMan shot out to the lead at the restart over Cresswell and Moesker. Neely was now in 4th with DiVenanzo holding onto the top five.
Moesker motored around Cresswell and set sights on DeMan. Going into turn 4 on the next lap Moesker and DeMan fought for the spot and Moesker went into the wall. DeMan broke the right rear hub and he went out of the race. Moesker continued on at the back of the field at the restart. Neely now had the lead with Cresswell close behind battling for that top spot. Barry Dunn had been making his way through the field and was now in third place. DiVenanzo was fourth and David Balych was now in the top five.
Balych passed DiVenanzo and Smulders, after an earlier spin, was back with the top runners. Neely now had a large lead over Cresswell as the laps ticked off. With three laps to go Daniel Bois pulled off for mechanical issues and rookie AJ Emms blew the motor on the Westwood #46, bringing out a caution and a cleanup crew.
When the green was thrown, Neely held the lead followed by Cresswell, Balych, Dunn, and Smulders. As Neely was taking the checkered flag, Dunn and Smulders made contact in turn four ending the race under caution.
Heat were won by DeMan and McLennan. The 'B' race was won by Blackburn. The new rookies had a great showing in their 1st race with the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets. Adam Racine, driving the #97 for Yvonne Neely finished in 8th place and Tyler Turnbull, driving the #84 finished 9th. Cody Winn in the #02 finished 13th, AJ Emms in the #46 went out with a blown motor and finished 15th and Dylon Smith in the #14 finished 19th. Veteran drivers remarked on the talents of these rookies this year.
Final finish for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Flamboro Speedway on may 11, 2013 was...1. ROB NEELY, 2. Todd Cresswell, 3. David Balych, 4. Rob DiVenanzo, 5. Chris Holman, 6. Corey Moesker, 7. Adrian Stahle, 8. Adam Racine (R), 9. Tyler Turnbull (R), 10. Jeff Blackburn, 11. Barry Dunn, 12. Greg Smulders, 13. Cody Winn (R), 14. Chris Bauman, 15. AJ Emms (R), 16. Daniel Bois, 17. Mack DeMan, 18. Darren McLennan, 19. Dylon Smith (R). Tom Kyle blew a motor and did not start.
Unofficial points for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets as of May 11, 2013 are...1...ROB NEELY...177, 2. Todd Cresswell..165, 3. David Balych..155, 4. Rob DiVenanzo..154, 5. Chris Holman..144, 6. Corey Moesker..140, 7. Adrian Stahle..133, 8. Adam Racine (R)..125, 9. Tyler Turnbull (R)..120, 10. Jeff Blackburn..115, 11. Barry Dunn..111, 12. Greg Smulders..109, 13. Cody Winn (R)..103, 14. Chris Bauman..99, 15. AJ Emms (R)..95, 16. Daniel Bois..91, 17. Mack DeMan..98, 18. Darren McLennan..95, 19. Dylon Smith (R)..82, 20. Tom Kyle..50.
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets head north to Sunset Speedway for a Sunday night race on the Canadian Holiday weekend on May 19th.
For more information, contact Cindy Lorenz at clorenz74@yahoo.com
Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=17469.msg107354#msg107354
