Kevin Swindell Wins ARCA Race at Springfield Dirt Mile with Venturini Motorsports

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Photo - Courtesy of Ventruini Motorsports

Photo – Courtesy of Venturini Motorsports

Kevin Swindell is our next guest on Fan4Racing Fan2Fan NASCAR & Race Talk on Monday, August 18, 2014 at 10:05 pm ET. Call 347-996-5176 during the LIVE broadcast with any questions/comments.

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 Sunday afternoon 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 last 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.

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.