Kody Swanson and Brother Tanner Tear Up the Dirt at the Winter Dirt Games in Ocala

We had a great experience in Ocala, and we really did learn a lot about running a dirt car.
We had a great experience in Ocala, and we really did learn a lot about running a dirt car.
California sprint car star Kody Swanson got a jump on brother Tanner and the 2012 season during Speedweeks in February. Kody and his Ted Slinkard-owned dirt sprint car traveled to Ocala, Florida for the Winter Dirt Games as part of the USAC National Sprint series.

Kody, who has limited experience on the dirt, debuted the new coil-over #19 entry, improved each time he hit the track and ran with the leaders for much of the final night. Kody ended the night by capturing a respectable eighth place finish.
I would be happy if either Kody or I take home the Silver Crown championship and also the Xtreme Sprint Series championship.
I would be happy if either Kody or I take home the Silver Crown championship and also the Xtreme Sprint Series championship.


"We had a great experience in Ocala, and we really did learn a lot about running a dirt car," Kody said. "My ability to run dirt has been questioned before, and it was great to find out we could start moving forward with this program in such a short amount of time."

The dirt car is a nice break for Kody, who will campaign a Team 6R Racing Beast/Toyota in the USAC Silver Crown series as a teammate of Tanner's full time this season. Kody said that while his goal is to win both the Silver Crown championship and the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series championship, the deal with Slinkard's team is all about having a good time.

"(Ted's) just looking to have fun," Kody said. "The goal is to not only run well and learn a lot, but to have fun doing it, and to make it fun for Ted, for who I am so fortunate to run this car."
Since 2005 we've raced our family owned TK Motorsports Sprint Cars, and we trust our engines to K&N products.
Since 2005 we've raced our family owned TK Motorsports Sprint Cars, and we trust our engines to K&N products.


While Kody prepares for his two full-time rides, as well as his run in the Wilke-PAK Motorsports midget in the USAC National Pavement Midget series, Tanner has been hard at work outside of racing. "I am attending Fresno State University, working towards my Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Business," Tanner said, "but it doesn't help. I want to get out of the classroom and start spending my weekends at the racetrack… I am getting very restless. We have put a lot of work and marketing into the 2012 season, but it's not nearly as exciting as getting out there and working on and driving the cars."

Tanner is also planning on running in the Xtreme Sprint Series and will also campaign a midget in the USAC Pavament series on a limited basis, competing for RFMS Racing in the #3F. His first race in the midget is scheduled for March 30-31 at Ace Speedway in North Carolina.
My ability to run dirt has been questioned before, and it was great to find out we could start moving forward with this program in such a short amount of time.
My ability to run dirt has been questioned before, and it was great to find out we could start moving forward with this program in such a short amount of time.


The brothers have a full schedule once again in 2012, but Tanner remains confident that they will continue to win races and hopefully the Silver Crown championship as well. "I would be happy if either Kody or I take home the Silver Crown championship and also the Xtreme Sprint Series championship. I definitely think it's a good possibility, and I look forward to seeing how the season will unfold. We are also hoping to expand our marketing opportunities this year and try to really build bridges into the NASCAR community and try to fulfill our dream of becoming NASCAR superstars."

The Swanson brothers have long been a part of K&N's racing stable. From wins at the historic Turkey Night Grand Prix to victories at the Night Before the 500 and the Ted Horn 100, K&N and this bright, young racing family have been connected in a winning way.

"K&N is a tremendous help to Tanner and I," Kody said. "Since 2005 we've raced our family owned TK Motorsports Sprint Cars, and we trust our engines to K&N products. It started with their High Performance Air Filters, led to their Wrench-Off Oil Filters, and now they've introduced their In-Line Fuel Filters. K&N has a great reputation and ability to provide quality products, and that's why we choose them for our engines, our investments."

Kody continued, "K&N have been great supporters of Tanner and I, as well as the teams we drive for, including Team 6R Racing. We are definitely looking forward to getting this year rolling and putting K&N in victory lane."

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