The two 17-year-old drivers of Kasey Kahne Racing’s Mopar-powered entries in the USAC National Midget Car Series, Kevin Swindell and Brady Bacon both turned in respectable performances this weekend, but couldn’t catch the breaks when they needed them.
Swindell encountered problems in qualifying for the “Copper on Dirt” program at the Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz., ultimately starting the feature from the 24th position. He had hustled into the top 10, and appeared to have the fastest car on the track before being sidelined by driveline woes. Bacon, meanwhile, had a serious case of the new-car blues, running into mechanical issues during both Friday night’s qualifying night and Saturday evening’s hot-lap session.
On a much brighter note, defending USAC National Midget Car Series champion Jerry Coons Jr. and his Wilke-PAK Mopar-powered Midget finished third in the “Copper on Dirt” feature. One night earlier, Coons Jr., had thrilled the Manzanita fans with a last-to-first run in his qualifying heat, rebounding from a poor lottery draw to take the checkered flag.
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