(Photo by Hale Photography)
WINSTON, Mo. – On Saturday, Clinton Boyles had an up-and-down kind of night at the race track. Fortunately, the “down” came early and the “up” came when it truly counted. Boyles overcame adversity and picked up the first win of his young sprint car career, in just his fourth start.
The WAR Sprint Car Series hosted an unusually low car count on the evening, especially for the popular I-35 Speedway in Winston, Mo; nine sprint cars arrived for competition. The show was just as exciting as any, however, but Boyles would get off to a shaky start. After the original start of the lone heat race was called back and the yellow was thrown, Boyles got together with the car ahead of him. The result was a broken shock mount on the front axle, and Boyles was forced to head to the pit area without completing a lap. In the qualifier race, effectively a second-round heat race with a fully-inverted lineup, the Jesse Hockett Racing No. 77 returned, starting second and leading laps before a late battle dropped Boyles back to second.
The main event lineup would have the 20-year-old slated to start in the sixth position of the seven remaining cars. When the green flag flew on what would be a green-to-checkered race, Boyles immediately went to work, moving to fourth on the opening circuit. Soon after, he’d make his way into third. Fellow full-time WAR competitors TJ Muths and Chris Parkinson battled for the lead and allowed Boyles to rapidly close in. While Parkinson took the lead on lap 11, it wouldn’t be long before Boyles was on his rear bumper. Three laps later, Boyles went to the high side in turn two to drive into the top spot down the back straightaway. From then, it was a matter of clicking off the final six laps, which Boyles did without fail. The result was the rookie earning the first of what will surely be many sprint car victories. “Jack and Connie Hockett took a huge chance putting me in their car this year and I thank you for believing in me,” Boyles said graciously. “Getting this win was 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, fans, and the Jesse Hockett Racing team for their continued support.
Boyles is next scheduled to compete on April 29-30 at Sweet Springs (Mo.) Motorsports Complex in the Ramey Racing No. 28 600cc micro sprint entry.
Quick Results
April 23 – Winston, MO – 410ci Wingless Sprint – Heat: 8th (8); Qualifier: 2nd (2); Feature: 1st (6)
2016 Stats
7 races, 5 features, 1 win, 3 podiums, 4 top-fives, 4 top-tens, 0 DNFs
Social Media
Twitter: www.twitter.com/clintonboyles98
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clinton.boyles.5
Instagram: www.instagram.com/clinton_boyles
Article Credit: Redbeard Promotions