Plainfield, IN - The two day USAC sanctioned non points Rock and Roll Gold Cup at Badlands Speedway in Brandon, SD was a tentative date on the NineEight Motorsports / EZR schedule. The team was indecisive if they would make the trip or not being that it was a non points race and they would have to rush back to Indiana for a quick turn around to get ready for the 5th Annual Kokomo Smackdown. With Badlands Speedway stepping up right before the event and increasing all prize and start money they decided they would head to South Dakota to participate in the inaugural Rock and Roll Gold Cup.
A different format was used for this USAC special event rather than the standard USAC format that we are all familiar with. Night one was a complete show with qualifying, heat races, and a B and A Main. Rather than the typical invert we are used to for heats following qualifying the heat races were lined up straight up from qualifying times. Accumulated points from qualifying and heat races would like up the AMain with no inversion. Boespflug was fifth overall in points earning him the fifth starting position in the AMain. Double file restarts was also an unusual thing for the USAC regulars as they would go double file in the main until 75% of the race had been completed. Boespflug used the double file restarts to his advantage to gain track position on the cars ahead. Boespflug restarted third just after halfway and used the double file restart once again to gain ground on Grant and Chase Stockon, the race leaded. Boespflug took over the race lead on lap 17 and had to defend his position with those double file restarts in a caution filled race until less than 9 laps remained. A late race open red allowed Chad and Crew Chief, Davey Jones, the chance to chat and make some adjustments to the 98e Maxim. Stockon chased him down one last time where they would race side by side down the front stretch on the final lap, but did not have enough as Boespflug pulled away to win Night 1 of the Rock and Roll Gold Cup for a $10,000 pay day.
Accumulated points from night one would please the top 10 into a scramble. The top 10 redrew for their starting positions in the scramble, Boespflug drew the fourth position where he would later finish as well. Boespflug's starting was advanced by one position for the main event than the night prior. He had proved on Saturday that he was able to make his car run wherever he needed it to go even if that meant pulling down off the top where he was the most comfortable to defend the bottom. A strong fast race car was prepared again by himself and his team to do battle for the $50,000 Rock and Roll Gold Cup finale. Another race filled with cautions was tough on Boespflug after he took over the early race lead. He had to defend his position as others battles behind him as Bud Kaeding did to pick of a car or two each restart. Just before the last red flag Kaeding had moved into the runner up position and was coming hard on the bottom. The final double file restart worked to Boespflug"s advantage as he could take the bottom away from Kaeding. Boespflug went on to sweep the weekend and pick up two of his biggest career wins to date in less than 24 hours.
"After the last red flag I knew I had to hit my marks with Bud behind me. He is a strong competitor and I knew I would have to earn it. This year has been going so well for our newly formed team and to carry this momentum into the Smackdown is big. We ran strong at Kokomo earlier this year we just need to be consistent Thursday and Friday so we are sitting towards the front in points come Saturday." -Chad Boespflug reflects on this past weekends success.
Boespflug now heads into Kokomo Smackdown $60,000 richer after sweeping the Rock and Roll Gold Cup. The team arrived home late yesterday evening. A little sleep and they are back at it again preparing the cars for tomorrows Free Fan Night that they will race in honor of Bryan Clauson following his Celebration of Life. Wednesday is a USAC non points race as well, however Chad and the Team will utilize the track time to prepare for the upcoming three nights of Smackdown that lie ahead.
"Coming off the biggest win of my career heading into Smackdown is a huge confidence booster for not only me, but my team as well. We will get things ready to go to night so we all can attend Bryan's celebration of life tomorrow afternoon. Smackdown is the biggest weekend of races we have in Indiana, its kind of like our version of the Knoxville Nationals. I enjoy pulling into the track each night and seeing more and more motorhomes and fans fill the place. I have yet to win a USAC race in Indiana this season and have yet to find victory lane at Kokomo so winning any of the four nights would be huge." -Chad Boespflug
Thank You to All Continued Supporting Partners:
Amsoil, Bell Helmets, Butlerbuilt Seats, B & W Auto Mart, Claxton Engines, Creative Finishing, DLG, FK Indy, HRP, Indy Race Parts, Manvel Motorsports, Maxim Racing, Midwest Shades, PAC Racing Springs, RevvedUp Industries, Rockwell Time, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Shaws, Simpson Race Products, and STIDA.
Race Results:
Rock and Roll Gold Cup at Badlands Speedway: 8/20: Qualifying: 5th / 33 Cars - Heat Race: S 2nd F 2nd - AMain: S 5th F Won
Rock and Roll Gold Cup at Badlands Speedway: 8/21: Scramble: S 4th F 4th - AMain: S 4th F Won
Upcoming Events:
8/24: Bryan Clauson Celebration of Life 1pm at Kokomo Speedway
FREE Fan Night at Kokomo Speedway (Complete Non Points Show)
8/25: USAC Kokomo Smackdown V Night 1 at Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, IN
8/26: USAC Kokomo Smackdown V Night 2 at Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, IN
8/27:Kick-it for Childrens Cancer Kickball Game 12pm Turn 4 at Kokomo Speedway
USAC Kokomo Smackdown V Night 3 at Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, IN
Cant #GYATK Wednesday for BC's Celebration of Life?
The Cushion has you covered with FREE Live feed beginning at 1pm:
www.thecushion.com
