Cody Swanson's Third USAC Western States Midget Series Race Gets Team Back on Track

Stockton was Swanson's first pavement race of this season and only his third in the USAC Western States Midget Series
Stockton was Swanson's first pavement race of this season and only his third in the USAC Western States Midget Series
Last season Cody Swanson, the young up-and-comer from Norco, California, was named the "Most Improved Driver" for the 2009 USAC Ford Focus California Dirt Series. This season Swanson moved up into the USAC Western States Midget Series, and as is the case with most new relationships - there's a period of adjustment. Peaks and valleys in racing are the norm, not the exception, it is precisely during these periods that racers learn to define themselves, and when the most valuable lessons are revealed. From all indications Kody Swanson appears to be devouring the learning curve.
During the race Swanson's car experienced a severe push, and it was tough to hang onto, but he still managed a seventh place finish
During the race Swanson's car experienced a severe push, and it was tough to hang onto, but he still managed a seventh place finish


"Stockton was our first pavement race of this season and only my third in the USAC Western States Midget Series," remarked Swanson. "On the pavement I am driving for Tres Van Dyne, in his number 5 Van Dyne Chevy powered Beast Pavement midget."

Cody Swanson Racing had high hopes going into the weekend and their Friday evening practice sessions were looking quite promising. With each run on the track they continued to pick up time and improved on their position. During the Saturday morning practice the team was still running strong, but the car was slightly loose coming off the corners.

"We knew that if we could get that loose condition out of the car that we could find a few more tenths of a second and be set for qualifying. So we made a few changes to the car to try and tighten it up for the two lap qualifying session, but we quickly realized that we went a little too far and the car had a really evil push, and it showed in the time," recalls Swanson.

"I started in eighth position for the 30 lap main event. Before the race we took all of our adjustments out of the car, so we could get it to where we were fast, but still struggled. When the sun goes down on the pavement, the track gains a lot of grip, and we didn't adjust enough for that. During the race it still had a pretty bad push, and it was tough to hang onto, but we still managed a seventh place finish."

"It was disappointing, but we did learn a lot about the car, and Tres and I are getting better as a team. I am confident that we will continue to get strong throughout the season."

About the track Swanson says "Stockton's 99 Raceway is an awesome track - both corners are completely different and it makes the track really fun to race on. It is small, so the racing is tight, and in turn one and two, you are on the bottom of the track, but then when you come around for turns three and four, you're running right up against the wall, and it gives you a ton of speed down the front stretch. I really enjoyed running on the track and I am looking forward to go back in June."

"The K&N oil filters and breather filters are working great on the Beast Pavement Midget. And on my number 71 Midget we run all of the K&N products. With all our great sponsors continued support, we should be back on the podium soon."

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