Edition 3, April24 - 2007

An Interview with #97 Driver, James Swan 

With the Mid American series taking a weekend off, the team went to Slinger Speedway for a Sunday run in the sun. After several challenges for the lead in his division, James gave up the inside and also his chance for a win and finished fourth. “We will get em at Golden Sands next weekend,” James said on a recent phone conversation on Monday night. As we talked for several minutes, I asked James if he would grant an interview to divulge his background, current aspirations, and plans for the future. James responded favorably and following is our conversation in question and answer format:

Q: How old are you, and what is your up bringing:
A: I am 34; born in Burlington, WI. and graduated from Badger High in Lake Geneva. I am now living in Lake Geneva.

Q: What is your marital status, sisters and brothers, and place of employment:
A: I am a single parent, proud father of Shelby. I have one younger brother and one sister both living in Indiana. I work for Woodfield Chevrolet in Illinois.

Q: I knew I wanted to be a race driver when I went to a race at:
A: Slinger Speedway as a young boy and saw my two favorite drivers Conrad Morgan and Al Shill. I still admire them.

Q: You have been racing for a few years what is your number of wins:
A: I started in 1991 full time, and to my recollection we have 37 feature wins.

Q: Who is the current Nextel Cup driver you admire and why:
A: I would say Carl Edwards. He is very personable and he seems happy just to be able to drive a race car.

Q: Who is the deceased race car driver you admire and why:
A: Alan Kulwicki. He was always determined to make it. We had (have) the same short track car numbers.

Q: What are your five year and ten year race plans:
A: I still plan on driving the short tracks in this area. I have no ambition to own a race team. My hobbies are racing and working on cars, nothing else.

Q: Okay, but what if Rick Hendrick called and asked you to come and be a development driver at his Charlotte facility:
A: I would go immediately. It probably is every racers dream to make the big show.

Q: What would you want people to think of your racing career; and what are your comments to all reading this:
A: I would want people to say to me “you make racing exciting and fun to watch” “I urge the fans to support their local short track program and drivers.” “Well got to go and work on the race car some more; night all”

Good night James and thanks; see you at Golden Sands April 29 th.

Racing to the Checkers

Jim