4/19/2016
Paul Nienhiser
Top 5 and Top 10 to Start the Year for Paul Nienhiser
Jimmy Dearing Photo
The 2016 season finally got underway for Paul Nienhiser and his #9 team this past weekend at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, IL Friday and Lasalle Speedway in Lasalle, IL on Saturday.
Tri-City was not only the team's season opener, it was the Midwest Open Wheel Association's opening night as well. The new qualifying format was in place, and Paul timed in 14th quickest. That started him outside row two in his heat race, on a dry slick race track. Paul settled into fourth when the green flag fell, but made quick work in getting into a transfer position and finished third when the checkers flew. That lined him up outside row five in 10th for the 20 car feature event, and at the drop of the green a bold move around the outermost part of the 3/8 mile oval would see Paul rocket up into the top 5, and a caution one lap later broke his momentum. The track then took rubber, causing the reminder of the race to be mostly follow the leader. Ultimately, the 9 car came across the finish line just .074 seconds behind third place to earn a solid fourth place run in the team's first night out.
Lasalle Speedway's IRA/MOWA co-sanctioned event always proves to be a very competitive event, with 38 cars signing in to race this time. Paul drew a late pill to qualify late, but was able to time in 19th and still earn a spot inside the 24 car invert for the heat races. He would line up front row outside of his heat race and powered around the outside on lap one, and began to set sail. After just a couple laps were in the books, the engine went sour but Paul managed to hang on for the heat race win. The team quickly diagnosed the problem as a broken lifter, requiring an engine change before the feature. The heat win also put the 9 in the eight car redraw for the main event. Paul would start in 5th place, and after nearly being spun around when the field took the green, he fell back to 10th. When the checkers flew this time, Paul crossed the line 6th, just short of another top 5 finish to open up the year.
The team plans to take this coming weekend off because of some schedule conflicts, as MOWA invades the 1/4 mile Jacksonville Speedway on April 22nd. They will be back on the road April 30th with the World of Outlaws at Federated Auto Parts Raceway in Pevely, MO!
Paul and the entire team would like to thank the following partners and friends for their continued support in 2015: Cam2 Blue Blood Racing Motor Oil, Mason Sound, Fierce Herbicide, Wessler Bros. Agency, Bradshaw Custom Pumping, Byers International, Engler Machine & Tool, Factory Kahne Indy, Bob Hawks Autobody, Kaeding Performance, Steve Thomas Racing, and Butlerbuilt seats!
Submitted By: Paul Nienhiser
