The 2009 USAC kicked off with the “Copper on Dirt” at Manzanita Speedway.  The event has become an annual tradition at the Phoenix oval, attracting over 125 cars for the event.  Running both the USAC National Sprint Car and Midget division, Chad got off to a great start for the season setting fast time in the midget division and driving to a fourth place finish.

Midget

Chad set the pace in qualifying, setting fast time by over .2 seconds with a time of 19.87.  A second place finish in the heat race qualified Chad for the “Copper Shootout”, which he finished 8th and earned him an eighth place starting sport for the Saturday feature.
At the drop of the green flag Chad moved steadily through the field, racing hard on both the top and the bottom of the track.  Chad moved to fifth by lap 12 and was running down  the 4th place driver as Bryan Clauson paced the field.  With the top five nearly running the same speed, passing was difficult as they raced nose to tail.  Clauson dropped out with five to go and Chad made several attempts at third, but settled for fourth at the checkered flag.
“We had a great car, but I just needed a little more speed to move up farther.  It was great to set fast time, and that can really be the key to having a great year.”

Sprint
Lady luck did not shine on Chad in the sprint car division, as a broken fuel pump mount leading the heat race relegated Chad to the C Main for Saturday.  After winning the C, Chad drove a great race in the B main, driving from 16th to 3rd and earning a 13th starting spot for the feature.  Chad moved from 13th to 9th in only four laps and looked to be on a mission to the front, only to have the engine expire and end his night.