One of the most recognized names in American motorsports, Sammy Swindell will make his first ever Northeastern Midget Association start for Tim Bertrand/Bertrand Motorsports on August 20th at Bob Webber’s Star Speedway. Swindell is a three-time World of Outlaws Champion & Five time Chili Bowl champion.
“I’m incredibly excited to be able to put together a deal like this with Sammy,” said team owner, Tim Bertrand. “We hooked up to help his family out with an engine for last year’s Chili Bowl, and have gotten to know each other through that process. I’m confident if we can get him comfortable in the car prior to the event, that he’ll be a contender,” said Bertrand. Swindell will drive the #74 car that was driven to victory on Speed Sport TV at this year’s Boston Louie Memorial by 3 time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion, Doug Coby.
Hot off of two National Sprint League wins at the famed Knoxville Speedway in July, and traveling to the local area for the All Star Sprint Series race at Lebanon Valley on August 21st, the Germantown, Tennesee based driver is ready for NEMA action when he comes to town.
“I’m excited to come out and try a pavement winged midget with NEMA. Once I get acclimated with the car, I’m sure we will be good,” said Swindell. “It should be a great evening for the fans and the Club. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Swindell grew up watching his father behind the wheel at many of their local Memphis, Tennessee dirt tracks. In 1971, at the age of fifteen, Sammy took to the dirt at Riverside Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas. In his rookie season, the oldest of two racing Swindell brothers won eleven feature events. Since then, Swindell has taken down 294 World of Outlaws A main victories, second on the all time win list.
His background is engineering and is mostly self-taught. Although he spent two years in college studying physics and engineering, his race winnings were what paid the bills, but to be successful in racing took a lot of preparation time. "I found myself in a "catch 22" situation. I didn't have the money to go to college without racing and racing took up too much time to go to college. I had some successes in racing, so I decided to stay focused in racing and learn along the way. I don't ever regret making that choice though," he said.
NEMA will also be putting on a special match race, in which Swindell will participate that evening, with some famed open wheel Northeast names to be named shortly.
More information can be found on NEMA’s website at www.nemaracing.com
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