K&N Sponsored Cody Swanson Becomes 2012 Ventura Racing Association Midget Champion

Cody Swanson managed to finish the 2012 season as the Ventura Racing Association Midget Champion
Cody Swanson managed to finish the 2012 season as the Ventura Racing Association Midget Champion
After a few seasons of up and down results, Cody Swanson now knows what it is like to be a champion. The California kid was named Ventura Racing Association Midget champion at the historic Ventura Raceway this season. Steady improvements throughout the season finally put Swanson in victory lane, and led him on a roll that only stopped when he was crowned champion.

“Winning the championship this past season at Ventura was a great honor,” Swanson said via email. “Ventura Raceway has been known for exciting Midget racing for decades now and it’s great to be a part of history at the track. All season long racing was very tight and exciting and the championship didn’t come easy.”

Swanson and his #71 K&N Midget started the season on a bad note, wrecking out of opening night. But the team, led by his father and crewmembers Jeff Wahl, Jimmy Goodwine, Ray Mills and Tres Van Dyne, made steady improvements, culminating in Swanson’s first win on September 15th.
Despite the rough start Cody Swanson and his race team found a way to get a handle on the hard regulation tires
Despite the rough start Cody Swanson and his race team found a way to get a handle on the hard regulation tires


“When you had a year as great as we did, it is really hard to narrow down (the best moment). When you really get down to it though, the greatest moment has to be getting our first win. We worked really hard to get that win.”

A key for Swanson’s roaring comeback in the standings was figuring out how to get more forward bite on the spec right rear tire VRA uses. Following the opening night incident, the team was stuck playing catch up until August, when a breakthrough was made and the rest is history.

“The tire is significantly harder than any other organization uses across the country. When this is combined with a slick, granite-like surface, it makes it difficult to get the car to hook up off the corners. All year we worked hard and were always trying something different with the setup of the car. Every race improvements were made and it really showed at the end of the season. That’s what won us the championship.”

Swanson will move up into the USAC Western States Midget Series in 2013, running on dirt up and down the West Coast, as well as in Arizona. He is also looking for a motor for their pavement car so they can run some races on the asphalt.

Cody Swanson will make the move up to the USAC Western States Midget Series for 2013
Cody Swanson will make the move up to the USAC Western States Midget Series for 2013
While the driver did the heavy lifting, Swanson was quick to thank his crew and sponsors for giving him a championship caliber racecar.

“Racing is a team sport and this wouldn’t be possible without all the help my crew offers. I want to thank them for their outstanding work, and also thank our sponsors.

“K&N Filters are essential to the success of our team. We use every product available for both the racecar and the support vehicles. The air filter keeps a clean, high-volume airflow going through the intake, helping produce optimum horsepower. K&N Oil Filters keep our engine oil clean, helping us stretch out the life of our engine and save on rebuild costs. And the Fuel Filters keep the fuel lines and nozzles clean and free of debris and are very easy to maintain.”

Cody Swanson has been racing for many years and has seen much success. Check out these articles that prove it Legends Race at Irwindale, Swanson Back on the Track and Swanson Rookie Points Leader.

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