Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 10, 2014) – This year’s Iowa Speedweek was almost the complete opposite of 2013 for Kevin Swindell.
Swindell, who garnered the Mr. Sprint Car title after standout performances throughout the 10 days of competition last season, couldn’t escape a slew of bad luck the past week and a half.
Expectations were high entering the 24th annual Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals, the Capitani Classic and the 54th annual FVP Knoxville Nationals Presented by Casey’s General Stores at Knoxville Raceway following the eye-opening outings with Bernie Stuebgen and the Indy Race Parts team one season ago.
Unfortunately, luck had a different plan. After Swindell finished eighth in his preliminary night during the 360 Knoxville Nationals on July 31, the u-joint broke on his sprint car during Lap 8 of the $10,000-to-win finale on Aug. 2. He was credited with a last-place finish.
The following night Swindell was in contention for a win during the Capitani Classic when a steering issue forced him into the wall near the midpoint of the event. He ended with a 23rd-place result.
“We blew a hole in one of the pressure lines in the steering,” he said. “I got a little further in the corner so I didn’t hit quite as hard, but it did a fair amount of damage.”
The team was forced to build a new car from the remaining parts it had in preparation for the FVP Knoxville Nationals, which Swindell kicked off last Thursday during preliminary action.
After qualifying 35th quickest, he won his heat race to advance into the main event.
“I made a mistake and grabbed the wrong tire for qualifying,” he said. “Other than that every time we were on the track we were really fast. I think we had a top-five car Thursday night.”
Swindell was running ninth with six laps remaining in the main event when steering issues forced him into the wall once again.
“Something locked up going into turn three,” he said. “It just went straight. Once I got to the back straightaway it just didn’t react. I was along for the ride at the point.”
Not only was Swindell unable to restart the race, the team’s inventory was depleted as the crash capped his Knoxville Nationals.
“That was the last of the pieces we had to put them together,” he said. “We were basically out of everything. It was really nothing anybody could do. It wasn’t anything on Bernie’s end that we had issues with. It was nothing I could do. It was just bad luck.”
Swindell will now shift his focus to the NASCAR Nationwide opportunity he has with JGL Racing for the remainder of the season. He is unsure of his next sprint car event.
“I really want to thank Bernie and everyone with Indy Race Parts for the opportunity this season,” Swindell said. “I hope we can get back out there again soon to get rid of the sour taste from the Nationals.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 7 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 35; Heat race: 1 (2); Feature: DNF (16).
SEASON STATS –
26 races, 1 win, 8 top fives, 11 top 10s, 16 top 15s, 18 top 20s
UP NEXT –
TBD
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.SwindellMotorsports.citymaker.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevinSwindell
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinSwindellRacing
VIDEO –
Click on the link for highlights of Swindell’s first victory of the season at 81 Speedway on March 29: http://vimeo.com/90509051
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Indy Race Parts
Indy Race Parts is a premier motor sports parts company based in Indianapolis. Visit http://www.IndyRaceParts.com for more information.
“Bernie and the crew at Indy Race Parts are a pleasure to race with,” Swindell said. “I know that I will always have a competitive car.”
Swindell would also like to thank Mike Curb and Curb Records, Arai Helmets, Racing Optics, John Christner Trucking and ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
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- Shawn Miller on Aug 10, 2014
- Article Date: 8/10/2014 by Inside Line Promotions