DaytonDailyNews.com

The compacts division at Kil-Kare Speedway provides new drivers a chance to gain experience before moving up the ranks. Count Chris Boggs as one of those who has learned a thing or two.

The New Carlisle resident figured out it's best to let someone a little more qualified to build your motors.

"Our first season we blew up four motors so we had a lot of down time," said Boggs, now in his third season of action. "I had a professional build the motor. When I got the car I didn't have the metric tools and had no idea.

"I got a manual and dove in head-first. It wasn't working out very well. We found a guy who just put it together for me. He dotted his i's and crossed his t's unlike I did. It made all the difference in the world."

The New Carlisle resident has gone from sitting in the pits to chasing the points. He finished second in compacts points last year and is again chasing leader Tim Haerr. He trails Haerr by 10 points entering the action tonight, June 27.

"I'm liking the chances," said Boggs, who drives the No. 7 sponsored by S&S Motorsports, Extreme Graphics, Commercial Roofing Services and Hall J. Hill Painting Contractors.

"I was very surprised (last year). I had Tim Haerr nervous for a little while. These cars are so evenly matched, at least in the top six. It's tough. Whoever gets in front among the top six is going to stay there."

Boggs didn't win a feature last year and he's still looking for No. 1 this year.

But he finished just one race out of the top five in 2007 and is the only compacts driver to finish among the top five in all five features this year.

Though he's gone without a feature win, his wife Tonia makes up for that. She ran four powder puff races a few years back and finished first twice and second twice.

His cheering section — usually wearing orange and white and grouped together in the Turn 1 bleachers — should again be out in full force tonight.

"All the time. I hear it all the time," Boggs said of Tonia's wins. "They're all hoping I win a race soon."

Speedweek cools off

The 26th annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek wraps up this weekend with shows at Limaland Motorsports Park and Eldora Speedway. The event features seven races in seven straight nights at seven tracks.

Rain washed out the first two races. Randy Hannagan and Dale Blaney both scored wins heading into Thursday's show at Fremont. Limaland hosts Speedweek tonight and Eldora on Saturday.

Hot laps

Miamisburg sprint car driver Shannon McIntosh will be a guest speaker at the Dabbelt Report Aqua Falls Shootout at the Kingdom Sports Center in Franklin on Sunday, June 29. McIntosh is scheduled to speak on how to become a successful female athlete between 11 a.m. and noon.

Weekend schedule

Today: Dick Dunlevy Memorial for Late Models, Modifieds, Sports Stocks, Compacts. Gates open at 6 p.m., racing at 8.

Kil-Kare Dragway

Saturday: NHRA-sanctioned racing (Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Pro Bike, Jr. Dragster, high school). Gates open at noon, timed runs at 1 p.m., eliminations at 5.

Eldora Speedway

Saturday: Ohio Sprint Speedweek Sprints, UMP Modifieds, Stock Cars. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., hot laps at 6, racing at 7:30.

Shady Bowl Speedway

Saturday: Firecracker 50 for Modifieds, Sport Stocks, Dwarfs, Compacts. Gates open at 3 p.m., hot laps at 4, qualifying at 5, racing at 7.

Waynesfield Motor Sports Park

Saturday: North-South Battle for non-wing sprints, Mini Sprints, Trucks. Gates open at 4 p.m., hot laps at 6, racing at 7.