Race Recap - May 12^th, 2007

LUCAS OIL CAN AM TQ MIDGETS
By Karey-Anne Large, Can Am Midget Media Officer

LUCAS SMITH TAKES SEASON OPENER

The Lucas Oil Can Am Midgets opened their 2007 campaign with Lucas Smith picking up where he left off and taking the 2007 season opener at Flamboro Speedway.

On a very cold night for racing, 22 cars took the green flag for 25 laps of excitement.  After a perfect 4-wide salute to the fans, Larry Wilson, in the pole position paced the cars to the green flag.  This field of cars would see (3) rookies taking the green flag for the first time at the rear of the field.  Allyson McLeod in the #4 Walsh Racing car, Mike Hooper in the #17, the former Dan Nichols machine and Ricky McMullen in the #1 Roger Riberdy built machine.  The 1 car of Riberdy was last year’s championship car that was piloted by Jeff Riberdy.

On the start it was the 5 car of Wilson taking the lead for (1) circuit when James Gray in the 82 took the lead from him on lap 2.  Gray took the lead and started pulling away from the field.  Back in the pack, a great battle between the #2 of Paul Smith, the #12 of David Balych and the #74 of Rob Neely was going on for the top 5.  Gray would continue to lead for 17 laps until the first caution flew on lap 17 for a spin by the 1 car of McMullen.  McMullen took his spot at the rear of the field and racing resumed.  On the restart, the 2 car driven by former champion Paul Smith, raced ahead of Gray for the lead, however the 94 of Lucas Smith who stated 10^th, was approaching fast.  Lap 19 saw Lucas Smith take the lead which would later prove to be the winning move.  On lap 21 the #82 Gray machine slowed and pull off the track. A spark plug wire had come loose ending the early race leaders night.  Smith continued to lead until the 2^nd caution of the night flew on lap 23 for a spin by the 27 car of Mike McCann.  The field tightened up for a green-white-checked finish.  At the checkers it was Lucas Smith, followed by Paul Smith in the 2 and David Balych in the #12.  The Lucas Oil Can Am Midgets continue their 2007 quest with a double header weekend May 19 & 20 in Sauble Beach.

Race Results: 1.  #94 Lucas Smith  2.  #2 Paul Smith  3.  #12 David Balych  4.  #74 Rob Neely  5.  #48 Darren McLennan  6.  #00 Greg Smulders  7.  #3 Todd Cresswell  8.  #4 Allyson McLeod  9.  #40 Tyler Mackereth  10.  #20 Daniel Bois  11.  #68 Curtis Freisen  12.  #5 Larry Wilson  13.  #43 Craig Mackereth  14.  #36 Cliff Hodkinson  15.  #1 Rocky McMullen  16.  #90 Andy Mackereth  17.  #31 Wayne Turnbull  18.  #27 Mike McCann 19.  #82 James Gray  20.  #69 Earl Caine  21.  #59 Jared Turnbull.  Did Not Start #17 Mike Hooper