March 16, 2002; Lebanon, MO. - In the history of the Lebanon Midway(I-44) Speedway, only 3 drivers have ever won more than 2 consecutive Late Model Point tiles. Ken Essary won the Late Model Dirttrack Titles in 1983-87 and Springfield's Larry Phillips took the I-44 Speedway Titles in 19993-1996 and again in 1998.Springifeld's Tim Swearengin will not only have a new look to his 14 machine but has found that Championships have gathered him Sponsorship also. Swearengin will be looking for his third consecutive Late Model Title when the point battles begin on April 13th. In 2000- Tim came from deep in the tight 4 way battle to grab the lead with only 3 races remaining to unseat 99 Champ Ken Dickinson. Despite some small obstacles in 2001- Swearengin started a string of top 3 finishes around mid-July to reel in point leader Dickinson once again. "The fans really get me pumped up especially after a good run and they come down to visit us afterwards", said Swearengin. Swearengin has a mascot that rides along with in in his Left-hander Monte Carlo-a stuffed-Wille Coyote. "Our luck was bad early in the season so we brought out the stuffed animal-strapped him in and away he went-the kids love seeing him in the car afterwards", noted Swearengin. One night after winning his 5th Late Model Feature Tim announced in his interview that anyone that would bring down the oldest Swearengin Racing T-shirt could have the mascot-one little boy the next weekend brought down an older shirt but didn't want the long eared sidekick "if it helps you win races then that's good enough for me", the fan indicated. As for winning titles well in his early days of racing it was all his Dad's business Don's Mobile home Moving and a little help from Springfield Engines Supply-but now winning races founds new sponsors coming to him such as M.J.Kelley Insurance, The Jock Radio Station, Nelsons Sporting Goods, and Mogan Metal Builders just to name a few. "I really hate the track dropping the NASCAR sanction but it is part of a business decision and I respect that-we were climbing up more into the standing and this season everyone starts on equal ground with a few minor rule changes. Allowing us a little bigger Carb, dropping some weight off of us and the ride height rule being dropped really puts everyone to working harder on the cars", stated Swearengin. This season will be especially tough with competition such as Paul Wallen (96 Bolivar
L.M.Champ), Mike Hoover, Jerry |
