(Photo by Hale Photography)
GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. – Many racers take numerous tries before truly feeling comfortable in a new type of race car. For Clinton Boyles, that was not the case. Still wet behind the ears in the sprint car ranks, with only a practice session under his belt, the Greenwood, Mo. resident won his heat race and finished second in the main event at Valley Speedway on Saturday night.
26 competitors signed in for the Grain Valley, Mo. third-mile oval’s Valley Sprints division, with Boyles drawing the lowest number in pill draw. Setting up from the pole in heat one, the 20-year-old fell back early, but remained poised and powered back into the lead to win the eight-lap preliminary.
Though good to win the heat race, starting on the pole afforded little for passing points, thus Boyles, piloting the Jesse Hockett Racing No. 77, began the main event from ninth on the grid. The 25-lap race was riddled with cautions throughout, but Boyles worked hard to advance through the field. Early on, he battled with 2014 Wingless Auto Racing champion Chris Parkinson, but Parkinson and another car made contact and spun. For the restart, Boyles was already sitting in a prime position, running in fourth. A rash of additional yellows came soon after, and Boyles started to put the Ott-powered Maxim Chassis on the high side, leaning against what had become a substantially-sized cushion. After moving into third place, Boyles and standout driver Cody Baker linked up and began to size up the leader. With six laps remaining, Baker made his move to the lead, but Boyles wasn’t able to get clear of the second-place car until a lap later. That gave Baker time to build a sizable lead; nonetheless, Boyles closed the one-second gap in a matter of two laps. As the white flag flew, Boyles approached Baker’s rear bumper, but a late caution negated a slidejob attempt. A green-white-checkered finish was set up, and Boyles again positioned his ride to slide past and into the lead, only to be foiled again by a caution. On the final try, Boyles couldn’t repeat his previous attempts, and was forced to settle for second place. “I can’t thank the whole Hockett family enough for the opportunity,” Boyles chimed in on his first night in the famed No. 77. “It’s truly a dream come true.
Boyles would like to thank Rod End Supply, Rockwell Security, Moon Construction, Lucas Oil, Taylor Cable Products, CNJ Signs and Wraps, and Hinchman Racing Uniforms, as well as his family, friends, and fans for their continued support.
Boyles is next scheduled to compete on April 15 at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill. and on April 16 at St. Francois County Raceway in Farmington, Mo., both with the WAR Sprint Car Series in the Jesse Hockett Racing No. 77 410ci wingless sprint entry.
Quick Results
April 9 – Grain Valley, MO – 410ci Wingless Sprint – Heat: 1st (1); Feature: 2nd (9)
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