1/16/2018
Inside Line Promotions
Pickens Passes 49 Cars During Chili Bowl Debut With Swindell Motorsports
(Photo by DB3 Imaging)
Inside Line Promotions – TULSA, Okla. (Jan. 16, 2018) – Not many drivers passed more cars during the 32nd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals than Michael Pickens, who became the first driver since Kevin Swindell to pilot the Swindell Motorsports No. 39 at the premier midget event last week.
“I don’t know how to describe it,” said Kevin Swindell, whose car hadn’t competed since he last raced it in 2015. “It’s an odd thing to see, something that has been just me for so many years. It was good to get it out there. I think Michael did a good job for all the small issues we managed to have.”
Pickens passed 49 cars during his preliminary night and the finale before closing the event in a B Main.
“I had a great time getting to know the Swindell Family better,” he said. “They have a great team and it was fun getting to race for them.”
The event began on Tuesday when Pickens competed in the Vacuworx International Race of Champions. He powered from 12th to a sixth-place result during the 20-lap exhibition race, which helped him adapt to the car prior to Thursday’s preliminary night.
Unfortunately, the preliminary action didn’t begin as well for the team as Pickens got upside down on the opening lap of a heat race. The DNF sent the team toward the back of a D Main.
“That’s certainly not how you want to start your Chili Bowl,” Pickens said. “The team gave me a great car and we worked hard to fight back all night.”
Pickens powered from seventh to win the D Main. He then maneuvered from 15th to second place in a C Main to transfer into the back of a B Main. Again, he rallied from 14th to fourth place to earn the final transfer into the back of the A Main.
Pickens capped the night by charging from 25th to 14th in the main event.
“I think we did well to overcome the heat race and rally from the D Main to the A Main,” he said.
That placed the team into a C Main on Saturday. Pickens advanced from seventh to third place while fighting a brake problem. The team scrambled to fix the problem prior to a B Main, but Pickens lost brakes early in the race. He still was able to drive from 17th to 11th.
“Michael did a good job all week,” Sammy Swindell said. “It’s different setting up the car for someone other than myself or Kevin for the first time. We made progress and still had a solid outcome.
“We also want to thank Tim Bertrand of Bertrand Motorsports for letting us use an engine during the event as well as all of our marketing partners. It was great to see the No. 39 back on the track.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Jan. 9 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. – Race of Champions: 6 (12).
Jan. 11 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. – Heat race: 8 (5); D Main: 1 (7); C Main: 2 (15); B Main: 4 (14); Feature: 14 (24).
Jan. 13 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. – C Main: 3 (7); B Main: 11 (17).
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.KevinSwindellRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevinSwindell
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinSwindellRacing
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – John Christner Trucking
Established in 1986, John Christner Trucking has grown into a giant in the trucking industry. For more information, visit http://www.JohnChristner.com.
“John Christner Trucking has been an integral part of our program at the Chili Bowl for a long time,” Swindell said. “We appreciate the support and partnership that John and his team bring to our program.”
Swindell would also like to thank Mike Curb and Curb Records, MPI Steering Wheels, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Racing Optics, Arai Helmets, Maxim Chassis, DMI, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sweet Manufacturing, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Kenny’s Components, High Performance Lubricants and Swindell Speed Lab for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
Article Credit: Inside Line Promotions
Submitted By: Shawn Miller