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Chad Heath just misses another top-10 in Ardmore; Maine native gains 12 spots in stout 29-car field LAMESA, Texas (May 3, 2021) — After steady rains in north Texas put a major damper on his racing plans, IMCA Southern Sport Mod driver Chad Heath returned to the ovals this past Saturday night, charging from 23rd to earn a respectable 11th-place finish at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. Heath was in full scramble mode in the days leading up Saturday's contest, with damage to repair from a recent outing in Abilene, TX, and the usual setup work to accomplish. Once he arrived at the track, he realized the car counts were up and it would be a challenge to score more valuable IMCA points. “With all of the rain-outs that have been happening around Texas, the pits were packed in Ardmore on Saturday,” Heath said. “With the TOMS Mod tour there, 30 Sport Mods and all of their other classes, it was pretty full. A lot of guys who don't usually run there were looking to score points, just as I was.” When it came time for the heats, Heath knew it was time to get up on the wheel. It was go, or miss out. “I need to work on my heat race setup for that track a little more, because I seem to struggle in those heats. I finished sixth in mine, which put me in 23rd for the feature. With 29 cars starting, I knew what I had to do. It's a good thing the place is so wide, because I had to use it all.” Once they waved the green flag for the A Main, Heath did what he does best. He settled in, stayed focused and began his march forward as the car's handling started to come around. Despite a field full of heavy-hitters from around the region, he managed to wheel his way almost up into the top-10. “The track was getting pretty rough as the night progressed,” Heath added. “There were some ruts down on the bottom, but I managed to use that line at times to pass a few cars. They kept the top dry-slick, or at least it was drier than the bottom was. I passed some high, and I passed a few down low. “I was shooting for a top-10 again, obviously, but fell a little short. I just needed to race and earn some more points towards that IMCA National Rookie-of-the-Year crown I'm chasing. The trip paid off, even if we missed the top 10. I love racing in Ardmore, that track has so much room to race it's a blast.” Heath, like every other racer in north Texas and across the entire Lone Star State, will hope for warm sunshine this week so he can return to the tracks he loves to run. Steady rains have eased the severe drought conditions which have plagued the southern plains, they just haven't done much for race teams. Next up for Chad and the No. 09k Sport Mod entry is a return visit to Boyd Raceway on Friday, May 7. (Photo credit: Mike Frieri)

Chad Heath scores top-10 finish in debut at Boyd Raceway, Earns more valuable IMCA points in Southern Oklahoma LAMESA, Texas (April 5, 2021) — Maine native and sophomore dirt track driver Chad Heath scored a solid top-10 finish in his debut at Boyd Raceway (Boyd, TX) on Friday, then capped the weekend with a respectable 13th-place run Saturday in his third race of the season at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. Heath drove the Wicked Race Cars-built No. 09k entry to a fourth-place finish in his Heat at Boyd. After making a few changes to his setup, he started the A Main 10th in a 14-car field. With some heads-up driving and a better-handling car, he powered on to cross the stripe in seventh place. “I really loved racing at Boyd Raceway,” Heath said. “It did get dry-slick early in the night, I think the wind had an affect on track conditions. I learned as the night went on and came away with another top-10 finish. It's what I need to do this year as the competition in Sport Mod becomes more intense.” On Saturday, it was back north to Ardmore, Oklahoma, for a return visit to the beautiful Southern Oklahoma Speedway. The DFW Local Late Models were in town, which meant a dry, slick track right off the bat. Saturday also saw Heath changing out a bad axle and seal, with a fellow racer helping out. “Dan Day and I raced door-to-door Friday night at Boyd, but when he saw me having problems on Saturday he walked over to offer me a new axle,” Heath said. “I really appreciated that, and hope I am earning respect from these guys. The axle and new seal got me back on track for Saturday night.” Day, of Farmersville, Texas, finished eighth in the A Main, while his son Matthew finished third. There was one rather scary moment in qualifying, when a car spun directly in front of Heath. “I saw him snap around and really had to yank the car quickly to get out around the outside of him,” Heath explained. “I somehow managed to steer clear of him and avoid the outside retaining wall. It got my attention, I'll tell you that. It always pays to be alert, because things happen pretty fast out there.” In the A Main, Heath's read end problems had vanished, yet he had another small problem to battle. “I was losing air in my right front tire towards the end, but there was enough left in it to limp on home,” a dejected Heath explained after his disappointing 13th-place finish. “I'm always striving to land inside the top 10, but last night it just got away from us. Overall, it was still a solid weekend.” Heath is chasing IMCA Southern Sport Mod Rookie-of-the-Year points, and continues to lead the national standings. As of the previous weekend's races (through March 27), Heath led by 61 points over Ricky Johnston. It's still relatively early with tons of racing, yet it's a strong start towards achieving that goal. “It is a grind with all of this travel, running at two tracks every weekend,” Heath added. “But I'm going to keep going to different tracks as often as I can. I am learning how to adapt to different layouts, and I'm earning maximum points towards my ROTY goal. I'm having fun and learning a ton every week.” Up next for Chad Heath Racing and the No. 09k IMCA Southern Sport Mod entry is another two-race weekend on April 9-10, more than likely featuring a return visit to Boyd on Friday and to Ardmore on Saturday. To follow the team's progress all season long, go to www.facebook.com/chadheath09k.

For immediate release: Chad Heath Racing PR Contact: Phil Whipple Tel: 207.689.6630 Heath comes from last to 10th at Southern Oklahoma Speedway Maine native battles adversity to salvage second trip to SOS ARDMORE, Oklahoma (March 22, 2021) — In short track auto racing, whether at the hobby or professional level, the true measure of a driver is how well he faces adversity. On an off night, it's easy to just coast around and let the chips fall where they may. Yet for Maine native and Texas-based driver Chad Heath, an ill-handling race car just means it will be a little tougher to earn a decent finish. Heath, of Lamesa, made the most of his second visit to Southern Oklahoma Speedway on Saturday, earning a solid 10th-place finish after starting at the back. “I had the car turning almost too well in Hot Laps,” Heath explained. “The track turned dry-slick faster than I expected. I made a few changes for the feature, and it really brought it around. It felt good to pass some of those guys, and it's a great learning experience every time I go up to that track.” Heath is diving into his sophomore season in the ultra-competitive world of IMCA Southern Sport Mod racing with passion. In just just three starts, he's recorded two top-10 (at SOS) and one top-five finish (at Cotton Bowl Speedway). It's been an impressive start for the former iRacing addict. “It's early yet, with a lot of racing ahead of us this spring and summer,” Heath added. “It does feel good to be off to a strong start, a pair of top-10s and that top-five last Saturday at Cotton Bowl was a big boost to my confidence. I have lots to learn, but I'm absorbing knowledge every time I compete. “The competition at Southern Oklahoma Speedway is about as tough as it gets. I love a good challenge, so I drive up there to race, to learn, and to improve my program. I'm gaining with each trip.” Chad Heath Racing would like to thank Black Spot Design Lab in Lubbock, Texas; Rachel Plant “The Picture Taker” and Whipple Motorsports Media for their support in 2021. For quality graphics, signs, banners and high-end apparel, let the Black Spot Design Lab be your first choice. For more information, go to www.blackspotdesignlab.com. “I also need to take a minute to thank all the great folks back in my hometown of Phillips, Maine, for supporting my racing efforts down here. It means a ton to have them follow along and be so kind. I'm really enjoying this sport, and I come from a place where auto racing is a way of life.” Follow this race team throughout the season at www.facebook.com/chadheath09k.