MIKE BOAT SAILS IN MIDGLEY'S #09

Source: Doehring Marking, Inc
Date: 01/29/2004

Boat, a Phoenix native and brother of IRL Driver Billy Boat, is seeking sponsors - in addition to current sponsors SHOPaTicket.com and Billy Boat Performance Exhaust to facilitate his move to NASCAR. He also sees the advantages to entering NASCAR as the member of an established team, such as Midgley's. So it was no accident that Boat was in attendance when Dick Midgley, owner of Dick Midgley Motorsports, recently tested a driver at the Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, California. Midgley, using his well-known #09 car, was testing drivers for the possibility of running a second car on the NASCAR circuit.

At the end of the second day of testing Midgley decided to give Boat the change to "show his stuff" despite the fact that Boat had never driven a Stock Car before. They decided to give Boat ten laps even though the car was not prepared for him. "We didn't change the tires and the seat was not set for Mike, but he still ran faster then anyone had either day." It didn't take long for Midgley to see the potential in Boat. "After the first fast lap I could tell Mike Boat can drive a Stock Car and by the 4th lap I could see that he can drive one fast." Boat took a half-second off the fastest time run all day. "Now we need to find this young man a sponsor so we can get him on the track."

Boat and Midgley are hopeful to have Boat sponsored and ready for next race (March 27) in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series, which ironically, will be run on the same track (Mesa Marin Raceway) where Boat tested so well. "Based on what I've seen if we can get him in the race, anything can happen" says Midgley.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend