The Vault
2012 – SAMMY SWINDELL TEACHES @ 141 SPEEDWAY
Posted on: Thursday June 2, 2022
Sprint car legend Sammy Swindell (left) poses with author Joe Verdegan during Swindell’s 2012 appearance at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek.
(This article appeared in the July 4, 2012 edition of the Green Bay Press Gazette written by Joe Verdegan)
One of the biggest names in the history of sprint car racing will be making a guest appearance at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek on Monday.
56-year-old Sammy Swindell, the current World of Outlaws Sprint car series points leader, will serve as a guest instructor Monday at the track for the Sippel Open Wheel driving school. “Sammy’s right now one of the hottest drivers in sprint car racing in the country,” said school owner Randy Sippel. “To get a driver of this caliber to come and assist us with the school is a real big deal.”
They don’t call them the “outlaws” for nothing. The brutal schedule has the winged warriors chasing big dollar sprint car shows from coast to coast. “For us we have a small window and the World of Outlaws schedule actually plays into our hands to make this happen,” said Sippel. The Outlaws were at Huset Speedway in North Dakota Tuesday this week. After a days of travel July 4th and 5th, The Outlaws are at Cedar Lake Speedway tonight. They travel to Beaver Dam Raceway tomorrow night. “He’ll be in the area and with our schools on Monday nights it worked out well for us.”
Swindell, who’s hometown is Germantown, Tennessee, has earned three World of Outlaw national sprint car titles. He’s well known over the years as having some legendary feuds with Steve Kinser. As of this Wednesday, Swindell leads the WoO national point standings. He currently has 276 career WoO A main wins to his credit. While he’s known primarily for his sprint car prowess, Swindell has spread his wings throughout his colorful career.
Swindell competed in the CART series in 1985 and 1986. He ran a full season of NASCAR Craftsman truck series events in 1995, and has run 10 NASCAR Busch Series and 2 Winston Cup events as well. He’s also a five time winner of the prestigious Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
“Sammy’s right now one of the hottest drivers in sprint car racing in the country,” said school owner Randy Sippel. “To get a driver of this caliber to come and assist us with the school is a real big deal.
SCHOOL NOTEBOOK – A late morning session and late afternoon session will take place. Spots are available for the later session by calling (920) 838 1835. 141 will be a busy place Monday as Joe Verdegan’s “Track Talk” racing program, which airs on WCUB 980 AM and cubradio.com will also be broadcasting live from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WASSENBERG 2ND – Shawano’s Tracy Wassenberg took second in the Northwoods B mod shootout at Eagle River Speedway Tuesday night. The race was won by Badger Mod Tour regular and hometown driver Jason Zdroik. Zdroik is a three time Eagle River track champion. The race pitted IMCA style sportmods against WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and drew drivers representing eight different tracks in northeast and northern Wisconsin.
FIRST WINS – Green Bay’s Greg Potts and Luxemburg’s Dennis Miesler each scored their first career IMCA northern sportmods wins over the weekend. Potts earned his victory at Luxemburg Speedway while Miesler’s win came at Thunder Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay.
141 BACK ON – After a week off racing resumes at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek tomorrow night. New Franken’s Shawn Kilgore holds a 16 point lead over De Pere’s Johnny Whitman and defending track champion Sean Jerovetz of Sobieski in the modified division. More than 290 different drivers have taken part in the track’s weekly racing action in the six different divisions so far this year.
FIREWORKS – A fireworks show will cap off a night of racing tonight at Luxemburg Speedway. Racing starts at 7 p.m.
AUTOGRAPHS – A driver autograph session will take place during tomorrow nights races at Thunder Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay. Racing begins at 6 p.m. at John Miles Park.
WOO TICKETS ON SALE – Tickets are currently on sale for the World of Outlaw late model series race scheduled at Shawano Speedway Wednesday, August 1. This will be the third year for the national touring act to do battle at Shawano’s half-mile. Past winners of the event are Billy Moyer and former ARCA racer Darrell Lanigan. IMCA northern sportmods will also be on the card. You can pick up your advance tickets at the speedway office or check the track’s website at shawanospeedway.net.
DAKOTA MOD TOUR – Seymour’s Brian Mullen will be putting some miles on this coming week. Mullen will compete in the Dakota Classic Modified Tour. The Tour runs six nights at tracks in North Dakota and Canada.
Mullen won the Tour in 2010. The first race is Sunday night at Nodak Speedway in Minot, North Dakota.