Plainfield, IN- After a weekend off due to all races in the midwest being cancelled due to inclement weather Chad Boespflug returned to the seat of the NineEight Motorsports / EZR 98e Friday. A weekend full of Amsoil USAC National competition. Friday marked the first of two trips to Bloomington Speedway with USAC in 2016. They will return again in July during the latter part of the iconic Indiana Sprint Week.
The night started off with a top 10 qualifying time followed by an impressive heat race win for Boespflug after starting fourth. He gained the lead before halfway and never looked back stretching his lead over a straightaway over second finishing Bland. A strong run in the heat and other fast qualifiers failing to transfer on placed Boespflug on the pole for the AMain. He took the early race lead before beginning to fade. It was apparent things were not going as planned as he began slipping back in the field. The team had missed the setup and Boespflug was unable to hold the car down to the bottom where the desired groove was. Unfortunately the great run early in the night turned upside down quickly in the feature. Chad held on to finish 14th.
"The car was fast at Bloomington, timed in the top 10 and won the heat from fourth. I thought we would be good going into the feature as the invert put us on the pole. Unfortunately we missed the setup making it hard to maintain track position and fell back." - Boespflug reflects on Friday at Bloomington.
Saturday was a new day, Boespflug and the team left the past in Bloomington only taking the things they learned away for when they return in July. They quickly turned the cars around to head to southern Indiana for the first of three trips to Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN with USAC this year. Another strong qualifying effort by Boespflug placed him in the top 10 for the second night in a row, timing 8th quick overall. Another fourth place starting spot in a heat race was less than a repeat of Friday's performance. Boespflug and Crew Chief Davey Jones tried something new in the heat, but it did not work. He was too loose and fell back two positions missing the transfer by one position. They went to work to get the car better for the BMain and they did just that it was better from then on out. However Boespflug fell victim of circumstance after taking the lead over Brady Short. A spinning lap car was unavoidable and as he tried to avoid the accident he stalled the car and was forced to tag the tail. He did not let the disappointment and frustration get in his way. He bounced back and was able to transfer into the AMain finishing 4th. Making the right changes in the BMain left Boespflug felling good with the car entering the AMain. Boespflug and the team made the right calls for the feature and he was able to move forward quickly working his way into the third position. Lap traffic was an issue as there were not many cautions. Chad was unable to hold on to third in traffic, but was able to maintain a strong fourth place finish. A weekend that had its ups and downs ended on a high. This was the best finish they have put together this season in USAC competition.
"Time trials are a big part of the night with USAC since your time stays with you throughout the night. Timing up front helped us rebound from missing the transfer in the heat after trying some things that just did not work. The car was better in the B and even better in the A. It feels good to finally put a good run together. " - Boespflug reflect on Saturday at Tri-State.
Boespflug will be back in action Saturday for his first ever visit to Montpelier Speedway with the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series in the NineEight Motorsports / EZR 98e.
Thank You to All Continued Supporting Partners:
Amsoil, Bell Helmets, Butlerbuilt Seats, Claxton Engines, Creative Finishing, DLG, FK Indy, Hinchman Indy, HRP, Indy Race Parts, Manvel Motorsports, Maxim Racing, Midwest Shades, PAC Springs, RevvedUp Industries, Rockwell Time, Shaws, and STIDA.
USAC at Bloomington Speedway - Bloomington, IN
4/15: Qualifying: 10th / 35 Cars - Heat Race: S 4th F Won - AMain: S 1st F 14th
USAC at Tri-State Speedway - Haubstaudt, IN
4/16: Qualifying: 8th / 25 Cars - Heat Race: S 4th F 6th BMain: S 2nd F Won - AMain: S 8th F 4th
Upcoming Events:
423: USAC at Montpelier Speedway - Montpelier, IN
Be sure to follow Chad Boespflug via Facebook / Twitter / Instagram (@chadboespflug)
