Kody Swanson Named To Drive Full Time For Nine Racing Midget Team In 2008

For Nine Racing Midget Team In 2008

Laguna Beach, CA -- Kody Swanson, 19, of Kingsburg, California, has been hired to compete in a full season of the USAC National Midget Series in 2008 by Nine Racing, according to Steve Lewis, team owner. He'll be driving the famous #19 Team ASE/Oakley/Pink Toyota for Nine Racing.

Swanson is the 2005 USAC Western States Sprint Car Series Champion, and winner of the sprint car portion of the 2006 MOPAR-PRI Sprint & Midget Classic. In 2007, Swanson swept the USAC Midget/Sprint "doubleheader" in September at Altamont Motorsports Park. He also won the 50-lap Lucas Oil USAC Western - USAC/SLVRA Young Automotive Rocky Mountain Sprint feature at Rocky Mountain Raceways. Swanson attends Fresno State University and will continue his education while he assumes his full-time responsibilities driving for Nine Racing.

"I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with a team like Nine Racing, and this is really an honor for me," said Kody. "I am also looking forward to next year. I think it can be a good year for both me and the team. I really consider this to be a great opportunity in my career, and will always be thankful for what I had at Nine Racing."

"Kody is a very talented young driver and we're excited to have him competing full time for us next year in the USAC National Midget Series," said Lewis. "It's one of the most competitive racing series in the country, and we believe we have put together a formidable package for 2008 with Swanson behind the wheel, and a Toyota engine developed by the master, Ed Pink."

"It has been a pleasure to work with Toyota," added Kody, "especially with the people at TRD like Gary Reed and Toyota team members who have been at the races." He also emphasized how much he enjoys working with famed engine builder Ed Pink and his crew at Ed Pink Racing Engines. "Ed Pink and his team do a great job on the motors, and they are a really good asset to the race team."

Nine Racing scored two huge victories at the end of the 2007 racing season, winning the Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway with Dave Steele, and the Turkey Night Grand Prix with Dave Darland.

Nine Racing has won 10 USAC National Midget Series Championships. Such great NASCAR drivers as Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, JJ Yeley, Jason Leffler, Kenny Irwin Jr. and Mike Bliss have driven for Nine Racing.