(Photo by DB3 Imaging)
Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 11, 2014) – The 54th annual FVP Knoxville Nationals Presented by Casey’s General Stores was a bit of a roller coaster for Big Game Motorsports driver Sammy Swindell, who made his 40th career appearance at the prestigious event.
After kicking off his preliminary night last Friday by qualifying fifth quickest, Swindell charged from eighth to fifth place in the first half of his heat race. He was in position to make a move for the final lock-in spot to the main event, but engine issues forced him into the pits early.
“I think we would have been all right and starting in the first two or three rows of the feature if we had got to finish our heat,” he said. “I felt like we would have made it in the top four.”
Instead, the Big Game Treestands team scrambled to change the engine before the B Main, which Swindell started on the pole. The crew was able to make the swap, but didn’t have time to adjust the setup and Swindell finished third in the consolation race to garner a transfer into the back of the main event. He started the 25-lap feature on the inside of the 12th row.
“We had a pretty good run,” he said. “We were up to 13th at one point. I think we were about four or five wide going for the checkered, but I was in the slickest spot so I lost a couple of spots. That was a pretty good run for being in traffic the whole time. There were some things we learned about that.”
Swindell finished 15th, which earned him enough total points to lock into Saturday’s $150,000-to-win main event.
“The car probably felt as good as it felt since we’d been up there,” he said. “It was better than it had been. The problem was it only ran for a little over a lap and then it started to miss and it got worse. We broke an intake rocker arm (in the engine). Once it doesn’t open the intake valve the fuel still goes in and fills up the stack and goes into the other ones. Instead of having one cylinder down you end up losing a few more.”
The problem forced the Big Game Treestands team into the pits only a few laps into the 50-lap feature. Swindell was credited with a 25th-place finish.
“We went through the season without many motor problems and then we lost two in the same weekend,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing because we definitely moved forward. To move through all the cars we did as easily as we did it was pretty good.”
Swindell also competed in the SPEED SPORT World Challenge on Saturday afternoon. However, he pulled into the pits early and was scored 21st.
“We went to try something and if we got a good start we’d keep running and if not we’d pull it in,” he said. “That was our car for Saturday night so we didn’t want to wear it out. Although if I ran a couple more laps we would have found the motor problem.”
Swindell has returned home to Tennessee as the Big Game Treestands team regroups and rebuilds throughout the next couple of weeks. Swindell said he anticipates resuming competition with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series when it returns to the Midwest next month.
“We’ve been behind on the truck and trailer and there’s a few things we need to get organized on the racing side of it,” he said. “This break will give us a chance to get everything squared away and hopefully we can have a good run toward the end of the year.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 8 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 5; Heat race: DNF (8); B Main: 3 (1); Feature: 15 (23).
Aug. 9 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa (Friday program) – World Challenge: 21 (7).
Aug. 9 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Feature: 25 (15).
SEASON STATS –
58 races, 3 wins, 14 top fives, 23 top 10s, 34 top 15s, 45 top 20s
UP NEXT –
TBD
LIVE AUDIO –
Keep up with Big Game Motorsports via free, live audio from DIRTVision at every World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series event throughout the season. Select events also include live Pay-Per-View video. For more information, click http://www.DIRTVision.com.
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.BigGameTreestands.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigGameMotorspt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Game-Treestands/251832101535076?fref=ts
BIG GAME TREESTANDS –
Established in 1977 in Windom, Minn., Big Game Treestands® has grown to be a leading company in the outdoor industry. Big Game Treestands® offers a Rock Solid™ line of field tested, safety certified above TMA requirements, welded steel stands & free standing elevated platforms that gives you not only a safe and extremely sturdy vantage point, but also reliable all-day comfort at a great value. Large, non-slip standing platforms, top-notch fastening systems, and our innovative pinned, sleeved ladder sections provide the Rock Solid™ stance, twist free climbing, and all around silence that Big Game Treestands® is known for. Non-glare, powder coat finish keeps our products hidden from nature’s wary eye.
For over 30 years, it has been our goal and our philosophy to provide the most innovative and practical treestands and hunting accessories in the field. As tradition continues, we are Exceeding Limitations and once again providing new models that challenge Mother Nature. In 2012 Big Game extended the line into Trail Cameras known for the easy to set, great picture quality, and over all great camera. Eyecon Trail Cameras® exceeds the expectations of consumers. Big Game Treestands® and Eyecon Trail Cameras® offers undeniable quality on time-tested favorites as well as new innovations for 2013.
For more information on Big Game Treestands®, visit http://www.BigGameTreestands.com.
TRAIL CAMERAS –
Big Game Treestands® offers a variety of trail camera options that are user-friendly with exceptional imaging as well as a 120 degree pivoting head. New and improved cameras include the Jag, Mantis II, Frenzy, Storm II, Black Widow and Quick Shot. To learn more about or to purchase a trail camera, visit http://www.BigGameTreestands.com.
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.
To meet the media relations needs of your program and to join Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or InsideLinePromotions@gmail.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
- Shawn Miller on Aug 11, 2014
- Article Date: 8/11/2014 by Inside Line Promotions