KODY SWANSON BREAKS ANOTHER ROCKY MOUNTAIN RACEWAY RECORD

Salt Lake City, Utah -- Today’s weather was hot but Rocky Mountain Raceways was even hotter at the USAC Western States Sprints & Focus Midgets oval race.

During qualifying laps Kody Swanson set a new track record of 13.582 for USAC Sprint Cars beating his previous record of 13.836 set July 6, 2009.

Swanson went on to lead the USAC Sprint race and placed first. Swanson’s brother Tanner Swanson placed second. The two brothers led a tight battle to the finish.

“The car was running good all night. The car I was most worried about was my brother’s right behind me. My brother does a great a job. It was something special,” said Swanson of Kingsburg, California.

Tonight’s Sprint race was in memory of Keith McArthur. Red and Tammi Powell along with Custom Industries recycling presented Swanson with $500 and a plaque for winning the 13th annual Keith McArthur Memorial Race.

Maverik Modifieds also put on a great show for fans. Bryan Wordelman, Shawn Price and Dan McCoy fought hard for the lead and managed over twenty lead changes throughout the race.

Bryan Wordelman pulled ahead in the last laps of the race and passed Shwan Price on the inside. This is Wordelman’s first win for the 2009 season.

“The last two races we crashed so we have been working hard to fix everything. I was impressed with Shawn Price. I finally passed him on the inside. I wanted this win really bad,” said Wordelman of North Salt Lake, Utah.

“Bryan showed his veteran prowess in tonight’s race,” said Russ Sala of 1320 KFAN.

Oval classes that ran in USAC Western States Sprints & Focus Midgets included YAG/USAC/SLVRA Sprint Cars, Focus Midgets, Maverik Modifieds, Western States Equipment Figure 8 Cars, Figure 8 Trains and Hornets.

The night’s winners included Kody Swanson (YAG/USAC/SLVRA Sprint Cars), Kipp Posey (Focus Midgets), Bryan Wordelman (Maverik Modifieds), Tracy Eaton (Western States Equipment Figure 8 Cars) and Joshua Murray (Hornets).

Hornets points leader Joshua Murray and his wife Denise Murray, a fellow Hornets racer, celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary with a little oval racing action. Joshua Murray took the lead in the race and ultimately took first place.

“We don’t take anything out on the race track. Each of us races hard,” said Denise Murray, of Magna, Utah.

During intermission generous fans participated in Pass the Helmet for the Utah Motorsports Foundation.

“Utah Motorsports Foundation is fantastic. They have helped a lot of people. There is nothing else like the Utah Motorsports Foundation,” said Gordon Tyler, USAC Race Organizer for Sprints and Midgets.

Utah Motorsports Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1999 and organized by Terry Nish and friends. The foundation was created for the purpose of raising funds to offer assistance and financial relief to the motorsports community families in the event of terminal illness, accident or related family tragedies.

Since its inception the Foundation has risen over $566,000 and has been able to assist over ninety different racers and their families. The recipients have ranged from U.S.A.C, NASCAR, N.H.R.A., I.R.L., karting, motorcycle and Bonneville Salt Flats Racers.

Donations can be made by calling (801) 533-9179 or visiting www.utahmotorsportsfoundation.com.

In its thirteenth year, Rocky Mountain Raceways also hosts drag racing, motocross racing, monster trucks and drifting.

Rocky Mountain Raceways’ next events include the Summit Super Series (July 31) and Funny Car Fever (August 1).

USAC Sprint Cars fly past fans at Rocky Mountain Raceways USAC Western States Sprints & Focus Midgets race on July 25, 2009.

Focus Midgets get ready to race at Rocky Mountain Raceways USAC Western States Sprints & Focus Midgets race on July 25, 2009.