Riding Shotgun with Justin Boston: Part Nine
June 20th, 2014 by Jaime Baker
After he was taken-out late in the race at Pocono, iRacer Justin Boston looked to revive his chase for the 2014 ARCA Racing Series title at Michigan International Speedway. The last time Boston raced in the Irish Hills, he almost grabbed his first win of his career only to be out shadowed by his teammate and friend Brennan Poole. With Poole out of the race this year and on top of the spotter stand for Boston, the 25 team looked to grab their first win with the young driver in the Irish Hills.
When it was time to unload at Michigan, Boston and his team were given cards they were not accustomed to right off the bat. Week after week Boston and his ZLOOP Computer & Electronic Recycling Centers Toyota Camry have normally topped the charts in practice. Michigan decided to throw the 25 team a curveball as they ended up practice seventh on the speed charts — still fast, but a little off from the weeks past. Boston was able to find a little more speed when it came time for him to take the green for his qualifying attempt when he was able to claim the fifth-place starting spot.
Soon after the green flag dropped for the Corrigan Oil 200, Boston worked from his starting spot up to third. The race’s first pitstop took place under green flag conditions on Lap 45. Boston was able to get his car down pit road safely at the maximum speed allowed by the officials. As his Venturini Motorsports crew finished the stop for four tires and fuel, Boston’s #25 Toyota Camry stalled on pit road as he attempted to leave his pit box. It took his crew a substantial amount of time and multiple attempts push starting him to get him going back on the track. Just as Boston’s crew thought their race could not get any worse, the motor powering Boston’s Camry let go, ending his day in a plume of smoke. The unfortunate series of events left Boston in 21st position at the end of the day.
Soon after the green flag dropped for the Corrigan Oil 200, Boston worked from his starting spot up to third. The race’s first pitstop took place under green flag conditions on Lap 45. Boston was able to get his car down pit road safely at the maximum speed allowed by the officials. As his Venturini Motorsports crew finished the stop for four tires and fuel, Boston’s #25 Toyota Camry stalled on pit road as he attempted to leave his pit box. It took his crew a substantial amount of time and multiple attempts push starting him to get him going back on the track. Just as Boston’s crew thought their race could not get any worse, the motor powering Boston’s Camry let go, ending his day in a plume of smoke. The unfortunate series of events left Boston in 21st position at the end of the day.
“It was a really disappointing day for us at Michigan,” said Boston. “The ZLOOP-JACO Environmental Toyota Camry was solid, definitely a top-five car, and to get another DNF stings a lot. All we can do moving forward is go out and try to win each week and definitely stop worrying about points. I’m excited to head to Elko and run the same car we won with at Toledo.”
Next up on ARCA schedule is Elko Speedway, near Minneapolis, MN. The series will have its first ever race broadcasted live on CBS Sports Network from the .375-mile track. Practice, qualifying and the will all be held Saturday, June 21, with the race scheduled to air at 9 p.m. ET