or Immediate Release
Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets
Sauble Speedway (Ont)
August 2, August 3rd, 2014
by Cindy Lorenz
1. Adam Racine 2nd, Rob Neely Winner, Mack DeMan 3rd 8.2.2014 Photo by Cindy Lorenz
2. Rob Neely 2nd, Darren McLennan Winner, Daniel Bois 3rd 8.3.2014 Photo by Paul Husby
MCLENNAN AND NEELY SCORES BIG WINS AT SAUBLE SPEEDWAY
Darren McLennan overcame a crash on Saturday, did an overnight fix, and took the win on Sunday, as the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets invaded Sauble Speedway for the doubleheader Canadian Holiday weekend. Rob Neely swept the field on Saturday night for the first of two races at the speedway.
As an excited McLennan, his family and girlfriend Lindsay celebrated in Victory Lane, he gave a big thanks to his brother Darcy, his Dad and Eric Van Wyngaarden for all their hard work fixing the car from Saturday night. "It has been tough getting one of these wins as the field has many very competitive cars this season. I need to thank my sponsors for all their continued support. Pippard Engines, Flamboro Machine, Brian's Service Centre, Ace Radiator, McColl Racing and especially our Club Sponsor Lucas Oil. Thank You", said McLennan.
McLennan, starting in the second row outside for the 25 lap feature race had hard charger Daniel Bois on pole in one of his best races of the season to contend with as the field went to green. Bois took the lead with David Balych in second followed by Ryan Fraser, McLennan and Tyler Turnbull. Turnbull began to have mechanical issues and began to fade in the field. Adam Racine now joined the top five. Bois was walking away from the field as McLennan set sites on Balych for second after passing Fraser. Caution came on the end of lap 4 as Dylon Smith, Chris Bauman and Dave Hickson all fought for the same real estate going into turn four. All went to the rear for the restart. Bois again shot to the lead but Balych and McLennan stayed within striking distance. Fraser held on to fourth as Rob Neely joined the top five.
Bois, after making some setup changes from Saturday night, seemed to have the race in hand. Balych and McLennan continued to battle lap after lap. Neely now passed Fraser and moved into fourth setting his sites on the two cars ahead. Racine was now back in the top five, passing Fraser on lap 10. One lap later the red flag was thrown as Dave Hickson touched wheels with Chris Holman and went very hard into the wall in turn four. Safety crews were quick to the scene and Hickson climbed out of his car and waved a caution flag to the crowd. The car was taken to the pits with heavy damage.
The restart kept Bois in charge with Balych and McLennan on his tail. One lap later McLennan made a quick pass and took over second place. Balych now had a very quick Neely knocking on his door followed by Racine. McLennan ran down Bois and powered around him in one quick move and took the lead. Balych held third as Neely was looking for room to make his move. With five laps to go McLennan looked to be on 'cruise' with the lead over Bois, Balych, Neely and Racine. Neely dove under Balych for third with three to go. With two laps left a caution came out for a spin by Tommy Kyle in turn 2. Jeff Blackburn also had his car stopped in turn one. Blackburn went to the pits along with Kyle as the field readied for green/white/checkered finish. Neely took over second from Bois and set sails toward McLennan. On the final lap Neely caught McLennan and they ran side by side for a photo finish with McLennan taking the win by inches to the delight of the large crowd on hand.
Heats were won by Bois and Racine. The 'B' feature was won by Todd Cresswell. The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets head back to Flamboro Speedway on Saturday, August 9th, for race #10 of the 2014 season.
Final finish for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Sauble Speedway as of August 3, 2014 is...1. DARREN MCLENNAN, 2. Rob Neely, 3. Daniel Bois, 4. Adam Racine, 5. Mack DeMan, 6. David Balych, 7. Ryan Fraser, 8. Todd Cresswell, 9. Adrian Stahle, 10. Lucas Smith, 11. Barry Dunn, 12. Tyler Turnbull, 13. Chris Bauman, 14. Dylon Smith, 15. Al Smith (R), 16. Jeff Blackburn, 17. Tommy Kyle, 18. Chris Holman, 19. Dave Hickson, DNS...Josh Shantz
Top Ten in Drivers Points for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets as of August 3, 2014 are...1. MACK DEMAN...1481, 2. Rob Neely...1441, 3. Darren McLennan...1246, 4. Todd Cresswell...1225, 5. Adam Racine...1207, 6. Adrian Stahle...1206, 7. Ryan Fraser...1162, 8. Lucas Smith...1116, 9. Daniel Bois...1056, 10. David Balych...1045
NEELY TOPS FIELD FOR LUCAS OIL CAN-AM MIDGETS AT SAUBLE SPEEDWAY SATURDAY NIGHT
Rob Neely took home the winners trophy Saturday night as the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets went north to Sauble Speedway for the holiday weekend. Starting 9th in the 25 lap feature event, Neely took the lead from Daniel Bois on lap 15 and never looked back. Accepting the trophy, Neely said, "Ken Lorenz worked hard on the great setup of this Mark Lafler Chassis and the 'Pippy Power' from Bill Pippard made this a winning combination. I want to thank Lucas Oil for all they do for the Can-Am Midget Club and all the great fans here tonight. I love racing at Sauble Speedway".
As the green flag waved a caution came out as Lucas Smith and Chris Holman made contact in turn 2. Holman was out for the night as Smith went to the rear for the restart. Again the caution flew as Rob DiVenanzo, Dylon Smith and Al Smith made contact and all three retired to the pits. As the cars took the green Tyler Turnbull took the lead followed by Barry Dunn and Daniel Bois. Dunn and Bois raced side by side for position with David Balych in fourth place with Adam Racine in 5th. Bois passed Dunn and set his sites on a fast Turnbull. Balych held third as Dunn began to fade. Racine and Adrian Stahle motored around Balych as Neely was moving into the top five. In one lap Neely passed Stahle and Racine and was now into third and headed to the front.
Turnbull battled with Bois but couldn't hold him off and Bois took command on the next lap. Turnbull held on to second place for two more laps with Neely setting up his move with 10 laps in. Making the pass on Turnbull, Neely was in hot pursuit of Bois. Racine raced around Turnbull for third as McLennan followed close behind. Mack DeMan joined the top five. With 10 laps to go Neely found an opening around Bois, took the point and opened up a sizable lead. Racine was very strong and caught Bois and took over the second spot. DeMan was now fourth followed by McLennan. With five to go the caution came, wiping out Neely's lead, as McLennan and Bois came together. Both went to the pits, out for the night.
Neely shot out for the lead at the final restart to take command followed by Racine and DeMan. Stahle and Todd Cresswell rounded out the top five. Cresswell motored around Stahle for fourth place. With 25 laps complete Neely took the checkered flag followed by Racine, DeMan, Cresswell and Stahle.
Of Note....Jamie Bound drove the #4 for Peter DeMan and finished 14th, his first time in a Can-Am Midget. Bound is a third generation driver with this Club. Mark Watson drove the #7 for Jeff Blackburn, also his first time in a Can-Am Midget and finished a respectable 10th.
Heats were won by Neely and Racine. The 'B' feature was won by Lucas Smith.
Final Finish for the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets at Sauble Speedway on August 2, 2014 is....1. ROB NEELY, 2. Adam Racine, 3. Mack DeMan, 4. Todd Cresswell, 5. Adrian Stahle, 6. Ryan Fraser, 7. Barry Dunn, 8. Tyler Turnbull, 9. Tommy Kyle, 10. Mark Watson, 11. Lucas Smith, 12. Chris Bauman, 13.Dave Hickson, 14. Jamie Bound, 15. David Balych, 16. Daniel Bois, 17. Darren McLennan, 18. Chris Holman, 19. Dylon Smith, 20. Al Smith, 21. Rob DiVenanzo.
For more information on the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets, contact Cindy Lorenz at clorenz74@yahoo.com
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