Heading up the coast to the scenic racetrack that is located right across the street from the beach is always a much anticipated trip. Hard to think that it has been 4 years since the USAC/CRA 410 sprint cars has set that ground to rumbling. For "the fan" Ventura Speedwaay is full of fast paced action and such a great venue. But to car owners, whelp, it's kinda a time to start chewing the fingernails. The action is hot and wheel to wheel, thus being a place where anything can happen quickly on this tiny bullring.
This might sound a bit strange to some of you - but hopefully to most it makes sense and you'll understand the impact the following is meant to have. After a successful season with David Cardey piloting the Moosemobile, it was very difficult for this team to even think about who to put in the seat when David announced his retirement from sprint car racing. There were many drivers that approached the team, some with many years of driving experiance, some rookies and then this "sophomore, Jake Swanson". Hummm, several team conversations, weighing pros and cons and just what to we do? The decision was made during the PRI Show. Jake had shown so much talent in other classes of cars, go karts, 1/4 midgets, midgets and a handful of sprint car events. It was going to be fun and such an experiance to watch him grow as the season progressed. Never in our wildest dreams did any of us think that the growing spurt was going to happen so early in the season. His qualifying efforts of 4, 5, and now a Quick Time was well, WoW… All events ( 4 as to date ) resulted in top ten finishes… but last night a 3rd!!! Holy Moly!! It just goes to show that when a team clicks, it clicks. Everyone has formed such a bond and the entire Moose Crew works like clock work together.
Resuts of 5/10/14 : Qualifying - QUCK TIME with a 12.089, with second fastest being 12.24… Heat Race - starting 6th finishing 2nd - and the Main Event, Jake put on a show and had the die hard Moose Fans on their feet coming across the line with a late pass in 3rd!!! ( and trust me, Jake picked up a bunch of new fans last night too, as the Moose Pits was a buzz with young and old requesting autographs and ready to pop on Jake Swanson/Moose Racing thirts and hoodies!!!
Check out the video section - climb into the Moosemobile with Jake and take a few laps around Ventura Speedway….
The Moose Herd is so excited about this venture and can't wait to watch Jake grow and grow more with each race.
To our sponsors that were on hand - we sure hope this sun has you as pumped up as we are.
Thanks for making the trip to Ventura - George Blacker Ram/Bull Racing
Phil & Eileen King, JC, Freeway Auto Supply. We couldn't do this without the support of all the people and companies that support Moose Racing…
Next up : Salute To Indy at Perris Auto Speedway May 24th!! HOPE YOU CAN COME ON OUT….
- Laurie Sertich on May 11, 2014
- Article Date: 5/11/2014