Swanson Scores Dramatic Belleville Silver Crown Victory

By Bryan Gapinski

Belleville, Kan., Aug. 1—Kody Swanson capped off dramatics late – race charge winning the 50-lap “Hustle at the High Banks” USAC Silver Crown Series presented by TRAXXAS event Friday night at the Belleville High Banks. The victory for the Kingsburg, Cailf. was his third of the season and increased his series points lead.

Polesitter Swanson, lost three positions on the start with Chris Windom jumping into the lead. Caleb Armstrong hit the first turn wall bringing out the caution on the sixth lap. On the restart Windom quickly pulled away from the field, while Swanson surrendered another position. The events final caution was displayed on Lap 14 when Jacob Wilson spun to a stop in Turn 2.

Windom again pulled away from the field, enjoying a three second lead over Christopher Bell at the midway point. The lead duo held a straightaway lead over third place Tracy Hines.

Five laps later Windom increased his advantage over Bell who slowed several times after brushing the wall. Windom began slowing on Lap 37 due to a fuel pickup issue.

Windom’s pace was improved when he began running the lower groove. Meanwhile behind the leader a shuffle of positions began to occur with Swanson and Hines advancing. Swanson took over the second position on Lap 43, one lap later Windom pulled into the pits out of fuel.

Swanson ran the final six laps unchallenged driving the DePalma Motorsports/Radio Hospital sponsored Maxium/Hampshire No. 63. Hines, Bell, Bobby East who started in the last row, and Dave Darland completed the top five.

“ It’s a great victory we had some issues throughout the race but the car was strong at the end we took advantage of Chris’ problems” commented Swanson.

Tim Ottenbacher won the 20-lap Jayhusker Micro Sprint feature. Racing continues on Saturday Night at the track with preliminary races and the 37th annual “Belleville Midget Nationals 40-lap Midget championship feature, along with the 3rd annual 305 Sprint Nationals.

SUMMARY
Qualifications: 1. Kody Swanson, 63, DePalma-17.221; 2. Chris Windom, 17, RW/Curb-Agajanian-17.227; 3. Jerry Coons Jr., 98, RPM/Gormly-17.283; 4. Christopher Bell, 99, RPM/Gormly-17.324; 5. Dave Darland, 19, Longworth-17.370; 6. Tracy Hines, 16, Lightfoot-17.414; 7. Caleb Armstrong, 9, Armstrong-17.772; 8. Chris Urish, 77, Urish-17.846; 9. C.J. Leary, 21, Team Six-R-18.149; 10. Jacob Wilson, 07, Wilson-18.809; 11. Jake Simmons, 31, Simmons-19.277; 12. Grant Simpson, 96, Simpson-21.119; 13. Davey Ray, 25, Sachs-NT; 14. Bobby East, 10, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-NT; 15. Tim Barber, 28, Pierson-NT.

50-lap Feature: 1. Kody Swanson, 2. Tracy Hines, 3. Christopher Bell, 4. Bobby East, 5. Dave Darland, 6. Jerry Coons Jr., 7. Chris Urish, 8. Jacob Wilson, 9. Chris Windom, 10. Jake Simmons, 11. Caleb Armstrong, 12. C.J. Leary, 13. Grant Simpson, 14. Davey Ray. 24:35.13 |

Feature Lap Leaders: Laps 1-44 Windom, Lap 45-50 K.Swanson.