Chad Boat Collects Podium Finish at Eldora

Coming off his first USAC sprint car victory at Hagerstown, Chad Boat was looking forward to the “Border Wars” at the famed ½ mile tracks of Winchester Speedway and Eldora Speedway.  Although a mechanical problem forced his early exit from a top 10 finish at Winchester, Chad continued his prowness on the fast ½ miles, driving from his 8th place starting position to 3rd at Eldora.

The Eldora Speedway is no place for the timid, and Chad has shown early in the season his education on the ½ mile at his home track of Manzanita Speedway has paid big dividends.  After qualifying in the 8th position and driving from last to 2nd in his heat race, Chad started the feature event on the outside of the fourth row.

At the drop of the green flag Chad quickly used the high groove to move into fifth position,  then used a great “Eldora slide job” to move into fourth on lap eight.  The track was fast and right against the wall, and Chad kept the leaders in sight the entire race, but lacked the speed to challenge for his 2nd victory.  He moved into third on lap 18 and stayed in contention until the end, crossing under the checker flag in 3rd position.

“I really love racing these fast ½ miles,” Chad said after the race.  “I was running as hard as I could, and I thought I could catch the leaders, but I was a little loose at the exit of turn 4 and it was costing me a little time.  Still, it is a great run, and I am looking forward to getting back in the midget at another big track, the Knoxville Speedway.”

Earlier in the week Chad raced his first race on the paved ½ mile of the Winchester Speedway.  After qualifying in the 14th position Chad had moved into the top 10 and was going forward when a fuel leak (caused by the fuel tank rubbing the ground on the rough track) ended his night.

Other races at the Shady Bowl Speedway (Friday) and the Kokomo Speedway (Sunday) were rained out.