FORT MORGAN, COLO. (May 18, 2019) – The POWRi Lucas Oil Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association opened up their 2019 season on Saturday at I-76 Speedway in Fort Morgan, Colorado, and they did not disappoint.
With 18 cars on hand, the field was split into three fast and narrow heat races won by Keith Rauch, Paul Babich and Lance Bennett. Rolling the dice for a nine-car inversion for the main event, the field was set with Zac Taylor and Carson Garrett on the front row.
An opening lap incident on the frontstretch sent Chris Sheil airborne in the Cappy Mason owned No. 91 and quickly halted the start. He climbed out of the car under his own power and the hot and heavy action resumed.
Keith Rauch, who won the opening heat and started ninth due to the inversion, was on the move as he made his way through the field. With the assistance of several well-timed cautions, Rauch found himself sitting in second-place aboard the Petauro Raicng No. 27 with only a handful of laps left.
Following Zac Taylor into lap traffic, Rauch kept his composure and set Taylor up for a pass in the closing laps. His years of experience showed when he was able to capitalize and make the pass for the win, overtaking Taylor and securing the season-opening victory with the POWRi Lucas Oil RMMRA League.
Rauch was followed to the line by fellow top-five finishers Zac Taylor in second, Paul Babich in third, Mark Chisholm in fourth and Lance Bennett in fifth. Rounding out the top ten was Bob Harr in sixth-from-16th, Dustin Weiland in seventh, Carson Garrett in eighth, Ryan Oerter in ninth and Mark Hamilton in tenth.
Next week, the POWRi Lucas Oil Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association lines up for a doubleheader. The fourth annual Midget Roundup by TBJ Promotions goes to Airport Raceway in Garden City, Kansas on Saturday and Sunday, May 25-26.
Heat One Results:
- Keith Rauch (1); 2. Dustin Weland (2); 3. Ryan Oerter (3); 4. Mark Hamilton (4); 5. Tim Snelling (6); 6. Bob Harr (5).
Heat Two Results:
- Paul Babich (3); 2. Zack Merritt (2); 3. Carson Garrett (5); 4. Mile Snelling (4); 5. Blaze Bennett (1); 6. Ashley Oerter (DNS).
Heat Three Results:
- Lance Bennett (2); 2. Chris Sheil (4); 3. Zac Taylor (5); 4. Mark Chisholm (4); 5. Tony Rossi (6); 6. AJ Valim (1).
POWRi Lucas Oil Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association Main Event:
- Keith Rauch (9); 2. Zac Taylor (1); 3. Paul Babich (8); 4. Mark Chisholm (12); 5. Lance Bennett (7); 6. Bob Harr (16); 7. Dustin Weiland (6); 8. Carson Garrett (2); 9. Ryan Oerter (3); 10. Mark Hamilton (10); 11. Mile Snelling (11); 12. Tim Snelling (13); 13. Zack Merritt (5); 14. Tony Rossi (15); 15. Chris Sheil (4); 16. Blaze Bennett (14); 17. AJ Valim (DNS); 18. Ashley Oerter (DNS).