Boland driving where he can

April 28, 2011

Boland driving where he can

By Shawn Brouse For The Daily Item The Daily Item Thu Apr 28, 2011, 07:41 PM EDT

Matt Boland of Dover, he's a travelin' man.

Boland has spent the last decade competing in 358 sprints, traveling up and down the road to midstate ovals with limited success at best.

The last two seasons have seen Boland break through, however, for his first and second career wins, both at Lincoln Speedway. But if his name sounds familiar to Selinsgrove Speedway fans, it's no wonder.

Boland spent a good portion of 2010, over half the season in fact, touring Selinsgrove. He likes to try out all the tracks.

"I was just looking for something a little different and I went up there (Selinsgrove) a couple times and I wasn't really expecting to stay as long as I did last year, but we were like sixth in points after a quarter of the season but at some point we just pulled away," the 44-year old pilot said.

"It was partially financial; the tow home was a problem for me because they don't let you leave until all the races are done."

Boland has been noticeably improving the last few seasons. At Selinsgrove last year Boland notched a pair of ninths and an eighth, but still found himself running competitively at the front of the field at times.

"To tell you the truth, we were pretty strong the year before that and maybe not as many people noticed," he says of his fortunes in recent years. "I started revalving my own shocks, and when they're working, they're really working. But I experiment a lot, too."

He's been getting a lot of help from fellow 358 drivers, like champion Cory Haas and Billy Johns.

"If I could find a ride up there (Selinsgrove), somebody else's car that I didn't have to tow home, I'd be up there every week," Boland admits. "I do really like that place, I like the speed of it, but I also like Lincoln, too. I've won there twice and I get around pretty well."

As for 2011, he's not too sure, just yet.

"Plans are really up in the air this year. I'm going to get a late start and not be out right away," he said. "As far as where we're going to race, I think I'm going to move all over this year, including Trail-Way. I'm just looking for something different. I'm getting a little bored on the straightaways at Williams Grove.

"I build my own engines too and I feel they're second to nobody. If I could find a team to bring an engine to, I'd run anywhere and everywhere."

"I'm just looking for more fun."

As it should be.

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Shawn Brouse on Motorsports

Boland driving where he can
Matt Boland of Dover, he's a travelin' man. Boland has spent the last decade competing in 358 sprints, traveling up and down the road to midstate ovals with limited success at best.

April 28, 2011
2010 season in review
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October 3, 2010
Tires suit Dewease
With the season now nearly over, don’t try to tell veteran 410-sprint-driver Lance Dewease that the change from mandated Hoosier tires to Goodyears in the area hasn’t been for the better in some ways.

September 26, 2010
Jim Nace would be proud of this Speedway event
Selinsgrove Speedway revived its National Open for 410 sprint cars Saturday night with the 28th annual running of the event in honor of late champion Jim Nace. Nace’s wife Chrystal called the turnout of 39 cars and legions of fans “incredible.”

September 20, 2010
Layton hopes for happy return to Selinsgrove
The 28th annual Jim Nace Memorial National Open for 410 sprints slated for Saturday night at Selinsgrove Speedway is going to be special, in many ways.

September 16, 2010
Racers remember Jim Nace
The style and flair that the 28th annual National Open will sport this year in honor of the late Jim Nace is reminiscent of the late Central Pennsylvania powerhouse racer himself. And that fact is not lost on those who will compete in his memory this weekend.

September 16, 2010
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One of the most innovative and interesting races to hit the area in quite a while is set for Selinsgrove Speedway this Saturday, as the 28th annual Jim Nace Memorial National Open for 410 sprints is spun off.

September 13, 2010
Open a big hit for fans
The Selinsgrove Speedway 358/360 National Open for sprint cars was a hit for the fans Saturday night as a stellar field of 48 cars signed in, providing exciting action in the heats as well as throughout the feature.

September 6, 2010
A September to remember
An upcoming threeweekend stretch spanning the majority of September offers up a battery of can’t miss races that all should have on their schedule as the season heads toward its conclusion.

August 23, 2010
Point races remain tight
Points races are heating up in the sprint car divisions at both Selinsgrove and Port Royal speedways and the opportunities to claim the title are getting fewer and fewer.

August 15, 2010

Shawn Brouse on Motorsports

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