TALLADEGA, Ala. – Mason Mingus and Chad Boat didn’t lead any laps in Saturday afternoon’s fred’s 250 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, but both driver found themselves with career-best finishes not only for themselves, but for their team Billy Boat Motorsports.
Mingus finished a career-best third in the No. 15 Call 811 Chevrolet Silverado, while Boat in just his third career NCWTS start finished ninth in his No. 16 Pristine Auction Chevrolet Silverado.
While the results came on the final restrictor-plate race of the season where drafting is crucial for success, that didn’t matter for the BBM team, where the Mooresville, North Carolina team is still building a solid foundation for a long-term program.
For Mingus, the rebound at Talladega was pivotal after missing the season-opening race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in February, after a pit road miscue during knockout qualifying, put the No. 15 team behind the eight ball considerably in their fight for the championship.
Starting side by side in 19th and 20th respectively, the two trucks minded their manners, while making their approach towards the front when the checkered flag neared. Boat found himself a victim in the “Big One” on Lap 92, which put the field under a red flag condition for 14 minutes, 17 seconds.
Luckily the damage proved to be minimal for Boat and just outside the top-10, while Mingus aligned deep inside the top-10 for the one attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.
As the field roared for the Lap 97 restart, Boat made his move, while Mingus clinged to trucks around him, but when Spencer Gallagher and John Wes Townley collided on the backstretch, the caution waved soon after freezing the field and ending the race.
Timothy Peters the pole sitter of the Fred’s 250 picked up the win, but Mingus cleverly maneuvered forward crossing the start-finish line third, earning his first NASCAR podium and a win in itself for the Brentwood, Tennessee native whose path into the NCWTS has been cramped with constant bad luck.
“I’m really excited for our third place finish,” said Mingus whose previous best was ninth at Kansas Speedway earlier this season. “Big thanks to the guys for giving me such a good truck and also a huge thanks to Alabama Call 811 Before You Dig for their support. No doubt, we wouldn’t have been here if not for them.
“We had a really strong truck in the draft and we’re lucky the cautions fell our way which allowed us to gain track position. We were able to put ourselves in the right spot and the right time and survive the wrecks so we could race in the end.”
Boat running a limited NASCAR schedule this season between the XFINITY Series and trucks was equally pleased with his first career top-10 finish, all things considered.
“It was a solid day for the Pristine Auction / Keen Parts Chevrolet and everyone at Billy Boat Motorsports,” said Boat, who finished 31st and 25th in his two prior races. “I’m thankful to everyone for the opportunity today (Saturday).
“Just picked the right lanes on the restart, really feel we could have gotten even higher had we made it back to the checkered flag, but overall a good day.”
Team owner Billy Boat, a former IndyCar said Saturday before the race he enjoys competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the strong effort of his team proves why.
“Proud of our team today,” said Boat. “We have worked hard to get better and it is starting show results. I think this will give us momentum to finish the year strong.”
Mingus jumped two spots in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver standings to 14th, despite competing in just 17 of the 19 races this season.
The series returns next Saturday, October 31 for a 200-lap slugfest on Halloween at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
