Fully Funded Racing Contract a Step Away in USAC Midgets for K&N Sponsored Driver
- 12 Mar 2009
There is a moment in every sport where it all comes together, where the sun and the moon and the stars seem to align and everything is perfect. If you’re lucky and skilled that perfect race takes place in front of a talent scout or two.
Cody Swanson has the opportunity to receive a profession drivers contract in USAC National Midget Series events
Cody Swanson receives tips from coach Tim Clauson in DMS Driver Challenge at Madera Speedway
For Cody Swanson, that first moment took place at the DMS Drivers Challenge at Madera Speedway. He made the top ten out of 32 drivers and will now move forward to round two. It is an opportunity for the college freshman from California to earn a fully funded ride for one of the top teams in the USAC Midget Series.
College freshman Cody Swanson made it through the competition during the first round of the DMS Driver Challenge
DMS race cars are equipped with K&N product 100-8576
“I am so excited,” said Swanson. “I was honored to be invited and we hoped to make it to the top ten. There were very good drivers from all over the United States involved in the competition.”
DMS Racing owner Marc DeBeaumont put together the DMS Driver Challenge to showcase top young racing talent in USAC National Midgets in front of racing industry insiders. Each driver received 45 laps around the one-third mile asphalt Madera Speedway oval in Madera, California.
The 45 laps were broken into three 15 lap sessions, each followed by a coaching and debriefing session. Competitors were judged on driving talent, communication skills and the ability to take direction from the coaches.
“We were not sure how Cody would do,” said Tim Clauson, a driver talent scout. “We knew Cody had never driven one of these cars before, but in the end he did very well. I was impressed.”
Swanson was coached and debriefed by Jerry Coons Jr., a USAC Triple Crown Champion and Bryan Clauson from Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. “I learned a lot from the DMS staff,” said Swanson. “Everyone was great to work with and they made me feel comfortable. I will be able to take what I’ve learned and use it throughout my racing career. One other thing, these cars are awesome to drive.”
The DMS race cars are equipped with K&N’s sprint car air box part number 100-8576. “K&N performed as expected, perfectly,” said Kirk Swanson, Cody’s father. “We use K&N air filters, breather filters and oil filters on our USAC Ford Focus midget. K&N is easy to service and provides long life and protection for our engines. K&N has sponsored and supported us since Cody’s early race days in karts.”
The top ten drivers return on March 17th for a final shoot-out. If Cody Swanson has another perfect moment in time he will be offered a profession drivers contract to participate in selected USAC National and USAC Western States midget series races in 2009.
“We are very proud of Cody and his accomplishments,” said Kirk Swanson. “He works very hard on his academics and carries 12 units in school. He also works as a part time fabricator and is a guidance counselor for junior high school youth at our church. We could not ask for a harder working and more compassionate son.”
Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.
Cody Swanson has the opportunity to receive a profession drivers contract in USAC National Midget Series events
Cody Swanson receives tips from coach Tim Clauson in DMS Driver Challenge at Madera Speedway
College freshman Cody Swanson made it through the competition during the first round of the DMS Driver Challenge
DMS race cars are equipped with K&N product 100-8576
“I am so excited,” said Swanson. “I was honored to be invited and we hoped to make it to the top ten. There were very good drivers from all over the United States involved in the competition.”
DMS Racing owner Marc DeBeaumont put together the DMS Driver Challenge to showcase top young racing talent in USAC National Midgets in front of racing industry insiders. Each driver received 45 laps around the one-third mile asphalt Madera Speedway oval in Madera, California.
The 45 laps were broken into three 15 lap sessions, each followed by a coaching and debriefing session. Competitors were judged on driving talent, communication skills and the ability to take direction from the coaches.
“We were not sure how Cody would do,” said Tim Clauson, a driver talent scout. “We knew Cody had never driven one of these cars before, but in the end he did very well. I was impressed.”
Swanson was coached and debriefed by Jerry Coons Jr., a USAC Triple Crown Champion and Bryan Clauson from Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. “I learned a lot from the DMS staff,” said Swanson. “Everyone was great to work with and they made me feel comfortable. I will be able to take what I’ve learned and use it throughout my racing career. One other thing, these cars are awesome to drive.”
The DMS race cars are equipped with K&N’s sprint car air box part number 100-8576. “K&N performed as expected, perfectly,” said Kirk Swanson, Cody’s father. “We use K&N air filters, breather filters and oil filters on our USAC Ford Focus midget. K&N is easy to service and provides long life and protection for our engines. K&N has sponsored and supported us since Cody’s early race days in karts.”
The top ten drivers return on March 17th for a final shoot-out. If Cody Swanson has another perfect moment in time he will be offered a profession drivers contract to participate in selected USAC National and USAC Western States midget series races in 2009.
“We are very proud of Cody and his accomplishments,” said Kirk Swanson. “He works very hard on his academics and carries 12 units in school. He also works as a part time fabricator and is a guidance counselor for junior high school youth at our church. We could not ask for a harder working and more compassionate son.”
Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.
