SWAN RETURNS TO NSTC GLORY

Topics:  James Swan, National Short Track Championships

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
September 29, 2013

LOVES PARK, Ill. (September 29, 2013) – James Swan picked up his second National Short Track Championships 75-lap Mid-American Stock Car Series feature win Sunday afternoon at Rockford Speedway. Swan also inscribed his name on the Vercauteren Memorial Trophy for the second time since 2006.

The Five-time MASCS Champion swiped the lead from Jeremy Spoonmore on lap six, and pulled away from last year’s titlist on several restarts over the remainder of the feature event. Swan was glad to return to his roots after racing exclusively in Super Late Models this season.

“These cars are a lot of fun to drive,” Swan said. “I love racing them, I love racing with these guys and I miss these guys.”

Many drivers who have gone from the ranks of Mid-American to Late Model divisions comment on how learning control in a Mid-Am car has helped them through their careers. In Swan’s case it helped him capture the lead and sail away in the main.

“I was sliding around so I changed my line a little bit and away it went,” he commented on his early race moves.

Swan followed Spoonmore on the outside line when the green flag fell. By lap two the duo was away from pole-sitter Mark Pluer, who was left to contend with Lyle Nowak.

Wasting little time, Swan began to peek to the inside of Spoonmore. Although the line is not preferred, Swan dashed to the inside on lap five. One lap later he completed the pass of Spoonmore, and began to stretch out his advantage.

As Swan’s lead began to swell, fast qualifier and MASCS point leader Brad Keith worked his way into the top five. Keith seemed to be the only one who would have a chance to contend with Swan as he dashed through the pack. Keith moved from his eighth-place starting spot to fourth by lap 16.

The first caution of the event fell on lap 22 when Scott Null blew a tire and skated up into the outside retaining wall just in front of Swan. Just three laps after the restart Chris Storey and Jimmy Evans suffered the same fate. Swan went on to escape Spoonmore on both restarts.

After the one-third mark of the feature MASCS point leaders began to falter. On lap 28 Mark Pluer’s engine expired. The only three-time winner in 2013 saw his Championship hopes dashed with the DNF.

Pluer’s misfortune seemed to be all Brad Keith needed. However, Keith suffered his own misfortune after another caution on lap 31. Keith started to fall back on the outside line when it was discovered that a right-front tire was going down. Keith went to the pits under green and lost several laps.

Swan continued to ride smoothly out front to the 50-lap mark. A caution on lap 52 presented the final chance for anyone to keep Swan from donning the NSTC wreath for a second time. When the green fell on the final restart, Spoonmore stayed close, but was unable to mount any significant challenge.

Over the final 20 laps Swan again stretched his lead. He cruised to win by more than a straightaway. Spoonmore held on to second, Nowak was third, Ryan Gutknecht finished fourth and Dan Gilster rounded out the top five.

Not only did Swan capture his second NSTC title, he also won the Vercauteren Memorial trophy for the second time. Swan last won the trophy in 2006 at Wisconsin International Raceway.

“We only had it once. I didn’t know it [was going to be awarded] until yesterday,” Swan said. “I’m glad to have my name on it, I’m proud to be a part of it and I’m proud of this series, these guys and that trophy.”

With Swan there to play spoiler, perhaps no one left with a more sour taste than Keith. His point lead shrunk to 57 points over Spoonmore. Spoonmore overcame a 45-point gap to take the title from Nowak at Oktoberfest last season.

Mid-American will compete as part of the Saturday portion of Oktoberfest Race Weekend at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Qualifying is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. with racing scheduled to begin at 5.

For more information visit www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com or www.lacrossespeedway.com

Full results and updated points available by clicking on the Motorstats link above.