Concord, NC (August 18, 2014) – Kevin Swindell, driving the No.15 Zaxby’s Toyota for Venturini Motorsports in a substitution role for driver John Wes Townley, made the most of his opportunity Sundayafternoon with a thrilling late race surge to come from behind and win the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards – Central Illinois SuperChevyStores.com 100 at the Springfield dirt-mile.
Swindell working with newly acquired crew chief, Matt Weber, showed their resiliency by overcoming several early mishaps and mechanical issues before rising to the occasion with a dramatic lap 89 pass on Grant Enfinger to go on and win the 100-lap Springfield event.
“This is awesome,” Swindell said. “They gave me a great car and did a lot of work on it. I’m so thankful for the chance to take this car to victory lane.”
It wasn’t easy – and Swindell’s beat-up race car after the race was proof. Just laps into the 1-hour practice the No.15 Zaxby’s team was forced to make a gear change before sending Swindell back out. Just laps into his return Swindell hit the inside wall forcing him back to the pits for repairs ending his only practice session of the day. It was at this point the No.15 Zaxby’s team kicked into high gear working relentlessly to successfully repair and return Swindell’s car to the starting grid.
“They kept beating and banging on the car during the pit stops and the car was good,” Swindell said. “Luckily, the hits weren’t too hard and didn’t do a lot of damage. It didn’t really affect the car.”
Swindell led 21 laps, taking the lead for good on lap 89. He held off ARCA Racing Series point leader Mason Mitchell, who got stronger at the end of the race, zipping from seventh to second over the final dozen laps. In doing so, he maintained his series point lead over Grant Enfinger, who led the most laps and finished third.
Sunday’s victory marks Swindell’s second ARCA victory with VMS with his first win coming at Chicagoland Speedway in 2012.
Justin Boston, driver of the No. 25 ZLOOP Computer & Electronic Recycling Centers – JACO Environmental Toyota, had a strong day leading 11-laps midway through the event but ended up settling for a seventh place finish. This marks Boston’s ninth Top-10 of the ‘14 ARCA campaign.
Brennan Poole, who drove the No.55 Venturini Motorsports/TORK Toyota, was jockeying for the lead position early when a lap car spun exiting turn-4 forcing Poole outside the preferred groove and into the rough mud portion of the track which caused severe front end damage and terminal damage to his radiator. The defending Springfield dirt mile champion was forced to retire and set his focus on next week’s effort when he’ll be back behind the wheel in the No. 66 The Identical Movie Toyota.
The ARCA Racing Series goes next to Madison (Wisc.) International Speedway for the Herr’s Live Life With Flavor 200. The race will be live on CBS Sports Network at 2 p.m. CT, Sunday, August 24.
About Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30-years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports. Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Brian Scott, Kevin Swindell, John Wes Townley and Erik Jones. Over the years the Venturini name has become synonymous with modern-day racing in America. In 2012, the Venturini family was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (www.NIASHF.org) and now find themselves enshrined with such sports icons as Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda and Rocky Marciano.
Official: www.VenturiniMotorsports.com | Twitter: @VenturiniMotor | Facebook: Venturini Motorsports
