OXFORD, Mass. — Story by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Michael Pares photo —

Boehler Racing Enterprises is back in blue — Ole Blue, that is.

After a patchwork season in 2014 that saw the Boehler family-owned No. 3 miss several races and put the team’s future in doubt over the winter, Ole Blue will return to the Whelen Modified Tour full-time with one driver, teaming with 19-year-old Troy Talman for a run at Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in 2015.

“Last year I called Michael Boehler and I asked about the ride and if he’d be interested in putting a deal together,” Talman told Race Chaser Online on Thursday about how the deal came together. “It took a little while but we were able to strike a deal for the World Series at Thompson. The weekend went really well — for the most part.”

Talman ran solidly in the No. 3 last October for the World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park before being sidelined in a lap 122 crash that left him not just with a 21st-place result — it left him with a broken wrist as well.

“I knew as soon as it happened [that the wrist was broken],” Talman said, “and it was the worst feeling ever. But it’s 100 percent healed now. [Physical] therapy went good, and I’m good to go. I’m definitely pumped up.”

“Thompson was [at the time] a one race deal, but I came up with some sponsorship for this year, got healed up and here we are now. I couldn’t be more excited to get this season rolling.”

With his wrist healed up and sponsorship onboard from NAPA of Ayer, DCU, and B&G Toys, what was once a dream has now become a reality for the young racer from Oxford, Mass. — who now sits in one of the most storied rides in the history of the NWMT.

“It’s my favorite car since I went to Thompson at five years old when Jerry Marquis drove it,” Talman said of Ole Blue. “I could tell you every driver that’s driven it over the past 35 years. It means a lot to drive it — truly a dream come true [for me].”

Talman feels that his run at the World Series last October has laid a solid foundation for him going into the Icebreaker on April 12.

“[I] most definitely [think it gives us a leg up],” Talman said on where he thinks the team will be at the start of the season. “I really jelled with [crew chief] Greg Fournier and Scott Richards well and I’m excited to be back and get to work with them again in 2015. Hopefully we can build on what we started last fall.”

Talman has raced his way forward on what many call the New England “racing ladder” — coming up from the SK Lights to run an SK Modified before stepping into the Tour full-time this year.

“[Running the SK and SK Light] helped me become very familiar with Thompson, Stafford, and Waterford,” Talman said of his earlier racing experiences. “You talk about three tracks on the Modified Tour that are crucial to success — those are it right there. I think it’s definitely going to allow me to be more comfortable here at the start of the season.”

While comfort and seat time will be the key, Talman is setting realistic goals early in the season — and knows he needs to play it smart early on in the year. The Boehlers have said that while their plan is to run the full season, if they run into problems with wrecks or parts failures it could force them to miss a race or two along the way.

“[Right now], we’re taking it basically with an approach of one race at a time. Our immediate goal is to do well at the Icebreaker. If that happens, then we’ll head to Stafford for the Sizzler and go from there.”

“At the end of the day though, I’m just blessed to have the opportunity I do. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of Michael and the Boehler family, and all the sponsors that go into it:  Performance Technology, Big Wheel Truck Sales, Riverview Industries, Interstate All Battery Center, Cape Cod Copper, NAPA of Ayer, DCU, Nash Road Motors, Bridgewater-Raynham Overhead Doors, T. Moreshead Landscaping, B&G Toys, and Viveiros Insurance.”

“It’s all hands on deck, but we couldn’t be more ready to hit the track at Thompson next weekend.”

Talman’s 2015 debut with the Boehler Racing Enterprises team and Ole Blue will be the Icebreaker 150 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Sunday afternoon, April 12.

The young shoe will also possibly compete in select SK Modified events with his family-owned team in 2015 as time permits, however, his focus will lie on his run for Rookie of the Year honors and solid finishes on the Tour.

For more information on Troy Talman, visit www.troytalman.com.

About the Writer

Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network. Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s. He is studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also currently serving as the full-time tour announcer for the United Sprint Car Series.

Email Jacob at: [email protected]

Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77