For Chandlers, racing is relative

BOONE - The family that races together places together.

Brothers, Brad, Dallas and Nathan Chandler, along with their father, Merv, proved that to be true.

All four placed in the top 10 in the inaugural sport compact division of the IMCA Supernationals at Boone Speedway last week. Nathan Chandler won the feature with Brad Chandler placing second. Dallas Chandler was fifth, while Merv Chandler earned 10th.

"It was a good accomplishment for us and our whole racing team," Nathan Chandler said. "We brought eight cars total that we've worked on and seven finished in the top 10."

The event had about 50 drivers competing in six heat races with three B-Main races and then the final A-Main feature. Brad Chandler won a heat with Dallas Chandler finished second behind him. Nathan was runner-up in another heat race to Gary Peiffer of Troy Mills, who finished fourth in the feature. Merv Chandler earned a third-place finish in his heat.

Although Merv had competed ikn the first year of Supernationals in 1983, his sons were making their first appearance. They have entertained the idea in the past, and finally competed in Boone, which also had drivers from Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. They will likely make a return trip in the future.

"It's the biggest races of the year," said Brad Chandler, of Cedar Rapids. "We always hear about it ... we figured we'd try it out. It was fun."

The amount of success the family had in the event came as a mild surprise. They were unsure of what they would be facing from the track and opposition.

"We expected to do well, but we didn't know if we'd finish as well as we did,' Brad Chandler said. "We didn't know who or what kind of cars we'd be running against.

Nathan Chandler, of Norway, made a change to smaller tires for the final race, admitting without experience and much practice they didn't know what setups would work. It paid dividends and he was motivated to claim the victory.

"I gave it all I had to make it to the front," Nathan Chandler said. "I got there to first and was able to hold on."

The Chandlers bond through racing, working on cars together in the same garage. They were introduced to it early, watching their dad race. Brad Chandler, who joined Dallas and Nathan as a season points champion in the hornets division at Hawkeye Downs Speedway this year, said most of their days during the summer are spent together, driving at Hawkeye Downs, Benton County Speedway, Columbus Junction Speedway and West Liberty Raceway.

"We all work together," Brad Chandler said. "I'd saying racing is a big part of it."

Racing provides a chance for them to remain close and spend time with each other. The success in the first sport compact races at Supernationals, including racing with their dad, made it even more special.

"It's the most memorable win I've had," Nathan Chandler said. My brother finished right there with me. I felt real good to have everyone there to support me."