Chad Boat Nets Two 6th Place Finishes in USAC Opener

The Copper on Dirt at the famed ½ mile track Manzanita Speedway marked the opening race for the USAC National midget series and a double duty of driving for Chad Boat, as he would be competing in both the midget and the USAC/CRA sprint car.  Chad’s home track was good to him, as he started 9th in the midget and drove to sixth, then jumped in the sprint car and again drove to 6th from his 24th starting position.

            Chad’s quest for the national rookie of the year got off to a rocky start when he missed his qualifying group when the car would not start due to a faulty battery.  Once repaired he qualified 13th out of 40 cars, but he would have to start 7th in this heat due to missing his spot.  A seventh place finish in the heat meant he would have to run the B main, which he led for most of the way, finishing second. He would start 9th in the main.
            The step up to the national division raised the competition bar higher for Chad Boat, as he would be competing against the best drivers and teams in the nation.  Chad drove a smooth and smart race in the main, making great passes and moved steadily to the 6th position, a great start to the 2008 season.

            In the USAC/CRA 410 sprint car, Chad had a right rear radius rod break in qualifying, relegating him to the 32nd position. He started 7th in the heat and drove to 5th, but still had to run the B main.  Chad started 5th in the B and worked his way to 3rd, earning him a starting spot in the main.
            Chad had an uphill battle in the main as he had to start from the 24th position.  He worked the top of the race track like a veteran in his first 410 sprint start on the ½ mile, passing cars high and low.  He drove a great race and finished in the 6th position.

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