IRL: Hard Work Puts Boat Back at Helm of Foyt's Car at Pikes Peak
12 August 1998
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The speedy Boat, who suffered a broken left leg and a cracked pelvis in an accident during the New England 200 June 28 at New Hampshire International Speedway, returns to action in the Pep Boys Indy Racing League Radisson 200 on Aug. 16 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. He remains on crutches but already has tested successfully at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Still, he admits watching replacement Greg Ray drive his car in races at Dover, Del., and Charlotte, N.C., made him feel like a jilted high school senior.
"It was kind of like another guy taking your girlfriend to the prom," he said. "There's nothing you can do about it. Greg did a great job, but I should have been in the seat."
Looking ahead to his return, Boat said the team must focus on consistency. Boat doesn't think there will be a problem with being competitive, but he said he must finish more races.
Boat, from Phoenix, has started third, second, first, second and first in his five Pep Boys IRL races this season. He won June 6 at Texas - ironically, outracing Ray - and finished third at Phoenix. But in the other three races, his Conseco A.J. Foyt Racing Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear was placed 21st at Orlando, 23rd at Indy after capturing the pole and 21st at New Hampshire.
"I ran for PDM Racing (at PPIR) last year and ended up crashing," he said. "Still I've had some time on the track. It's a great place to run, fast and wide. It'll be a great race."
Boat, 32, said he was comfortable during testing July 28-29 under the lights at Atlanta, just five weeks after his accident. His seat was remodeled to adjust to his injured leg, which isn't quite in the same position in the seat as before. Boat said he just picked up where he left off.
"He did real good," said Tommy LaMance, team manager for Foyt Racing. "He didn't incur any pain."
Boat was an innocent victim in the accident at New Hampshire. Rookie J.J. Yeley spun in front of Boat's car, clipped it and sent it into the outside wall. Boat's machine then caromed across the track toward the infield and was speared from the side by the nose of Raul Boesel's car.
Boat underwent major surgery for his injury. He had a plate and five screws placed in his left femur and spent five days in the hospital. After a couple days in bed at home, he started workouts to improve his upper-body strength and also spent four hours a day at his Phoenix business, B&B Fabricating.
"I'm really happy with my progress," he said. "I'm too active. I just can't just lay around."
Boat worked hard on increasing his mobility during his recuperation, shortening his recovery time. He suffered a broken right leg in two places during a sprint-car flip about 10 years ago but didn't have the plate put in his leg that time.
"Actually, I've come back more quickly on this, because I was more aggressive on my recovery," Boat said. "Physically, I'm in great shape. I'm in better shape than I've been in a long time."
Boat now can begin some lifting with the injured leg, a strong indicator of his progress.
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Boat, a father of four, was asked if he was inspired by the comeback his car owner Foyt made from severe leg injuries received in a terrifying crash several years ago at Elkhart Lake, Wis.
"I'll tell you one thing, no matter what happens he's got a better story," Boat said with a laugh. "He can top anything."
Boat is 12th in the Pep Boys IRL standings with 122 points. Before his two-race layoff, this was good enough for fourth place, only 45 points behind then-leader Tony Stewart. Boat has led three races for 132 laps and won $1,233,800 this season.
He hasn't given up in the quest for a good finish in the final standings.
"We just have to go out and finish good and get as many points as we can," he said. "That's all we can do. With some good luck and some bad luck by the other guys, who knows, we might be in contention.
"If not, we'll just look ahead to next year."
RADISSON 200 NOTEBOOK
Event schedule: The second annual Radisson 200 is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. (MDT) Aug. 16. PPG Pole qualifying starts at noon Aug. 15.
Pep Boys IRL practice sessions will start at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Aug. 14, and 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 15.
Broadcast schedule: The Radisson 200 will be televised live on ABC at 4 p.m. (EDT) Aug. 16. PPG Pole qualifying will be televised live on SpeedVision at 2 p.m. (EDT) Aug. 15.
The IMS Radio Network will broadcast the race live at 4 p.m. (EDT) Aug. 16, with a prerace show starting at 3:30 p.m. A 30-minute qualifying highlights show will start at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) Aug. 15.
For the fans: Fans can meet some of their favorite Pep Boys Indy Racing League drivers and get an up-close look at many race cars and transporters during the Pep Boys IRL Hauler Corral from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 12 at Park Meadows Mall, just south of Denver.
Among the drivers expected to sign autographs are Denver resident Buzz Calkins, eight-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb winner Robby Unser, Davey Hamilton and Kenny Brack.
At least six of the shiny, 18-wheel team transporters are expected to be on display, including rigs from Pennzoil Panther Racing, Team Reebok and Bradley Racing. Many teams also will display their sleek Pep Boys IRL race cars that will compete in the Radisson 200 Aug. 14-16 at Pikes Peak International Raceway.
The autograph session will take place in the mall near the Dillard's entrance. Park Meadows Mall is located at Interstate 25 and County Line Road.
Radisson 200 tickets: Tickets for the Radisson 200 are available by calling Pikes Peak International Raceway at (888) 306-7223 or (888) 511-PPIR.
Editors Note: The images displayed in this article (plus many more) can be viewed in The Racing Image Galleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.
