(Photo by A.B.C. Photography)
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A short five weeks after making his debut in the POWRi National Midget Series, Clinton Boyles headed east. A track he had only dreamed about since he was a small child was soon to have him turning laps upon its surface. Bloomington Speedway, a track where many open-wheel legends have cut their teeth, played host to the United States Auto Club National Midgets, for Indiana Midget Week. And what better place to enter your first USAC race than on Bloomington’s world-renowned red clay quarter-mile.
With an opportunity very few get, Boyles’ pill draw earned him the right to take to the speedway first for his qualifying effort. If only for a few moments, “The Enforcer” was atop the qualifying standings with a 12.317-second lap. Slowly, as more cars timed in, he fell down the chart, ending 37th of 44 cars, in what was his first-ever race against the clock in a midget, and the beginning of only his seventh race in one.
The time put Boyles starting back in tenth in the first of four heat races, but the Greenwood, Mo. racer navigated his way up to the seventh position in the ten-lap affair. With lower main lineups assigned by qualifying time, Boyles would be contending in the C-main, going from fifth. With the top four finishers moving to the tail end of the B-main, those positions would be key. Powering his way into fourth on the opening circuit of the 12-lapper, Boyles looked to capture a transfer. However, long-time Indiana open-wheel standout and the winningest driver in USAC history, Dave Darland, was closing on the rear bumper of the Aaron Moon-backed No. 98. Unable to shake his counterpart, Darland soon made the pass and relegated Boyles to fifth. While he would hold steady and finish in the fifth spot, it would leave him just outside the window looking into the B-main.
Boyles would like to thank Aaron Moon with Moon Construction, and Hinchman Racing Uniforms, as well as his fans and family for their continued support.
Quick Results
June 12 – Bloomington, IN – Midget – Qualifying: 37; Heat: 7th (10); C-Main: 5th (5)
2015 Stats
2 races, 0 features, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top tens, 0 DNFs
Social Media
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cbtheenforcer
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clinton.boyles.5
Instagram: www.instagram.com/clinton_boyles
Article Credit: Redbeard Promotions