Paul Nienhiser has shown prowess in both 360 and 410 competition so far in 2023, having logged a victory in both categories and consistently fighting for podiums wherever the Chapin, IL driver shows up on a race day.
That trend continued this past weekend, logging a 2nd place finish with the Sprint Invaders 360 series at Davenport Speedway and fighting for the win with the IRA Sprints at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in the $7,000 to win 11th Bill Waite Jr. Memorial Classic.
On Friday, Nienhiser hopped in the Midland Performance #50 at Davenport and was fast out of the gate.
“Davenport’s a track I’ve always liked, but unfortunately we only race there maybe once a year.” The former MOWA Sprints Champion said of the Iowa track. “We had a runner up finish there last year and hoped to best that run. On Friday we ran 4th to 2nd in the heat race which got us in the Dash. Fought for the win there and ended up 3rd and felt really good going into the feature.”
Nienhiser lined up 2nd for the Sprint Invaders feature and took the lead off the initial start.
“I felt really good out front in the A Main and led up until a restart at about halfway.” Nienhiser said of the 25 lap affair. “[Scott] Bogucki and I traded sliders for a few laps but I eventually lost the lead. At the end I could get back to his bumper but with the rubber line developing I couldn’t get by and settled for second. Overall a great night to be up there racing with a guy like that and leading a bunch of laps. It stung a bit to run second but that’s racing sometimes.”
On Saturday, Nienhiser switched gears and headed to Fairbury, IL with his own CAM2 Racing Lubricants #9X machine for the Bill Waite Jr. Memorial. A stacked 42 car field showed up for the $7,000 to win event, and once again Nienhiser was fast right from the start of the night.
“We actually found a bad shock on the car after hot laps and picked up about .8 of a second and qualified 3rd in our group.” Nienhiser said of the early portion of the race night. “3rd place in our heat race lined us up 3rd in our Dash.”
Nienhiser ran 2nd in his Dash and started the 30 lap IRA/MOWA Co-Sanctioned feature from the 3rd starting spot.
“We had an extremely solid car in the feature.” Nienhiser said of his MB Heating & Cooling #9X. “I was trying to manage the car and tires early on and just focused on chasing Joe B. [Miller] for the first part of the race. On a restart I pushed my wing back a bit and got by him for the lead but made the wrong move afterwards and slid myself which let him back by.”
After the fierce battle for the lead, Nienhiser was stalking Miller in traffic when the unthinkable happened; a cut right rear tire halted his progress and slowed the car to a near stop, bringing out the caution flag.
“Debris somewhere on the track cut the tire right down the middle.” Nienhiser explained. “Went to the work area and my guys changed the tire and we ended up 15th at the end after starting at the back with only 6 laps to go. It’s unfortunate that that’s our third tire failure while running in the top 2 in big shows this year. We’ll move onto this weekend knowing we have a ton of speed right now.”
Looking ahead, Nienhiser will head to Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, IL once again this Friday, but this time with the Midland Performance #50 competing with the Sprint Invaders. Friday’s action will be broadcast live on Dirtvision. Nienhiser will then follow the Sprint Invaders series to their next stop in Vinton, IA at the Benton County Speedway on Sunday, July 2nd. Tickets will be available at the track. Warm ups are set to get underway at 6:15PM on Friday and at 5:30PM on Sunday.
Paul Nienhiser Racing would like to thank their 2023 Marketing Partners for their support this season!
CAM2 Racing
Buffalo Wild Wings
MB Heating & Cooling Inc.
American Rental Center
Midland Performance
Innovative Design | Sletten Properties
Bradshaw Custom Pumping
Mason Sound
Heartland Trailer Manufacturing
AB&C Moving
Signature Signs & Design
Fierce Herbicide
Haverfield Concrete
Eric Hohmann Mowing
Wessler Bros. Agency Inc.
T&K Tree Services
Dropped Mobile
Engler Machine & Tool
Simpson Race Products
Maxim Chassis
Rider Racing Engines
Smith Titanium
Premier Powder Coating
Box3 Media
FULL RESULTS: 6/23 at Davenport Speedway w/Sprint Invaders
Heat: S/4th, F/2nd
Dash: S/5th, F/2nd
A Main: S/2nd, F/2nd
6/24 at Fairbury Speedway w/IRA/MOWA Sprints Bill Waite Jr. Memorial
Qualifying: 3rd out of 21 cars in Group
Heat: S/3rd, F/3rd
Dash: S/3rd, F/2nd
Feature: S/3rd, F/15th
NEXT UP: 6/30 at Jacksonville Speedway w/Sprint Invaders
SEASON STATS
Features: 17
Top 10’s: 10
Top 5’s: 7
Feature Wins: 2
HW Designs Photo
- Loren Kelly on Jun 29, 2023
- Article Date: 6/29/2023 by Loren Kelly-Box3 Media