VAN SWEARINGEN LOSES BATTLE WITH CANCER

Source: NICK JOANIDES
Date: 01/29/2002

Long time west coast racer and car owner Van Swearingen passed away this morning after only a short battle with cancer. Van was diagnosed with cancer earlier this month and had been undergoing treatments to reduce the pain he was suffering, so that he could live his remaining life peacefully.

Van was such a wonderful, warm, caring and extremely generous individual who so often went way beyond normal human expectations to help others. He so generously helped launch the careers of many drivers, such as Ron Hornaday, Tim Huddleston, Keith Spangler and Nick Joanides.

Nick Joanides can not offer nearly enough thanks for all that Van did for him to help him continue his racing career and he's sure that statement can be echoed by all of those who Van had helped at one time or another.

Nick had planned on not racing this season, however after Van was diagnosed with cancer, Nick decided to run atleast one more race at Phoenix in Feburary, in hopes that he could take Van to the track and win one more race for Van, who took so much pride in his race cars and loved seeing them run up front, now, sadly, Nick will run the race in Van's memory.

Condolenscences to Van's wife Phyliss Murphy can be sent to: 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, CA 91311

Funeral arrangements are underway and are expected to be some time next week at Van's ranch in Chatsworth.

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