Edition 47, September 8th - 2009

Swan Shakes Slinger

The trembling earth that you felt Sunday September 6 th may have been from the spectacular fire works show at Slinger Speedway, or it might have been from the celebrations from the sponsors and crew of the James Swan teams as he won not one, but two feature races in two different series in one night. These first place finishes were the season best for the Genoa City driver.

We were guests of Principal Financial, our co-sponsors of the #97 Chevy on this very warn Sunday afternoon. Mark wanted to go to the pits as usual to check out the team cars. James and his very young crew were making adjustments on his primary ride, which he stated was tight in and loose off (a common complaint this year). Former car owner Adam Berge was thrashing away at the #8 sportsman car next to us to prepare that ride for Swan later that night. “I think something is bent in the limited late car, Swan stated. We just can not get it dialed in.” But adjustments did get the car to corner better and James declared that it was drivable for the 35-lap feature and he did qualify the car 7 th of 16 cars entered. We still would need a good inversion dice roll to help us.

The sportsman car, normally piloted by Holtz, would be the second ride for the evening. When I saw Berge grab the sawzall and head for the car, I knew major changes would be made. James declared this ride was also loose which was evident as it slid through the corners during practice. More adjustments made and this ride was qualified in the 8 th position. This might be a long night for James Swan fans.

We met up with good friends Lori and Randy Winchel who have helped with Swan car sponsorship for the past two years. We collectively went down on the track to talk to James before the race, and he seemed more at ease than before. We would start third in the 35-lap late model race.

#84 Vanoskey and #66 McCardle took the green flag for the late model feature with Swan following closely on the inside. When an opening presented itself, Swan moved into 2 nd on the 3 rd lap. The first caution appeared on lap 10 when the #84 spun in turn one, and we maintained positions. James then took the Chevy to the outside, as he could not find an opening on the inside. By lap 11 he nosed in front of the #84 entry and they continued to race side by side for the next 9 laps until Swan pushed the #97 to the lead on lap 20. Once he could race in his groove, James pulled away slightly and continued his quest to victory lane to celebrate with his daughter Shelby. The sponsors of course went crazy cheering and doing high fives. This lanky driver deserved this win.

The #97 car was driven to tech spec. and Swan made a mad dash with helmet and steering wheel to move the #8 sportsman car into its starting position on the pole for the 30 lap sportsman event. James set the early pace dogged by the #29 Borchardt and Shambeau entries. By lap 19 the leaders were lapping some of the cars caught in traffic. Swan manhandled the loose car during the entire race with Borchardt making a daring last lap attempt, which resulted in a lone spin out. Swan crossed the finish line in first followed by Pawelski, Evans, and Shambeau. The #8 went to victory lane with an exhausted yet exuberant driver.

After the fireworks and a great 100 lap super late model feature, won by a very deserving Lowell Bennett, we made our way to the pits to find both Swan piloted cars side by side with trophies on their roofs. A huge crowd flowed into the pits to meet the drivers, and as usual James Swan stood back in the hauler so not to seem over confident. Everyone on the Swan team was just soaking in the magnitude of this special event.

As I stood by the late model car, a young mother and her 8 year old daughter approached James and asked for his autograph. He did not have anything to distribute, and then he walked over to the #8 Chevy, grabbed the winner trophy off the roof, signed the back and handed it to the little girl. I watched the family walk away in silent amazement for such a generous gift. I thought we are lucky to be associated with a great driver and a good man.

We move on to Jefferson on September 18 and 19 for twin races in the Big 8 series and hope our good fortune continues.

RACING TO THE CHECKERS

Jim