Chad Boat was eager to back on the fast Manzy ½ mile track after a great 5th place drive in the first race. The pill draw to determine your heat race starting position can sometimes set the tone for the kind of night you will have, and such was the case for Chad Boat May 6th at Manzanita. The Billy Boat Motorsports team was also debuting their new primary sponsor, THE ROOMSTORE, so Chad was hoping for a good night.

A high pill draw meant Chad would start at the back of the 2nd heat race. With the track still narrow and a little slick, passing was very difficult. Chad worked R.J. Johnson for the 4th and final transfer spot to the main several times, but he fell short at the finish. His 5th place finish meant he would have to work his way into the main through the semi-main.

Chad started the semi from the pole position and charged into the lead at the drop of the green flag. He ran the cushion like a veteran, hitting his marks every time and pulling away from the field. As he drove under the checkered flag he had a ½ lap lead and had blistered the field with a new track record of 4:02.74, beating the old record held by Mike Leslie. Chad became the youngest driver every to hold a sprint car track record at Manzanita.

A 17th starting spot in the main event would have Chad battling traffic most of the race. At the drop of the green Chad moved to the top of the track and was moving to the front, running in the 11th spot by lap 5. A close call with wall moved Chad back a few spots on lap 12, and then just as it appeared Chad would continue his run forward another car spun in front of him, leaving Chad with no place to go. The car did two rolls and landed upside down, and Chad emerged unhurt but disappointed. “I had a great car, and I really felt like I could drive it to the front. I have a lot of fun running the ½ mile, so it is too bad we really did not get a chance to challenge at the front of the pack.”