Teen's Driving Skills are Solid at Legend Season Opener at Irwindale Speedway

Cody Swanson is a competitor on the move. The 16-year-old kart racer from Norco, California had the opportunity to drive in the Legend Season Opener at Irwindale Speedway on April 14th.

Cody Swanson with Brian Wong Cody Swanson with Brian Won
“I was not a complete stranger to the track because of my first test session earlier in the year with K&N Engineering Sports Marketing Director Charles Maier,” said Cody Swanson. “Even though I tested in the K&N Ford Focus Midget, this was my first race on the track and my first time with other cars. I was nervous but very excited.”

Cody Swanson in lapped traffic at Irwindale Speedway
Cody Swanson in lapped traffic at Irwindale Speedway
Swanson qualified 11 out of 37 cars and went straight to the main event. “My goal for the evening was to learn from the more experienced drivers,” he said. “I also wanted to finish somewhere inside the top ten in the Speed Wong Racing # 90 Legend car.”

The main event was 35 laps long around a 1/3 mile track. By lap five, Swanson was in 9th place. On lap 22, he was in 8th position. With four laps remaining, he passed one of Team Speed Wong’s main competitors for 6th place. “I was able to hang on and finish in at 6th in my first circle track race at Irwindale Speedway,” said Swanson. “I also wore my K&N driving suit and many people gave me compliments. This gave me the opportunity to talk about K&N products.”

Swanson will be driving in the Legend Car Series second race of the season on April 21st.

Follow Cody Swanson's progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.