Matt Swanson And Boehler Racing Enterprises Working Race To Race On Whelen Modified Tour

Matt Swanson at Oswego Speedway with Boehler Racing Enterprise (Photo: Fran Lawlor)

Matt Swanson will revive his role as super sub once again Saturday when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour heads to Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway for the Miller Lite 200.

When Rowan Pennink announced last week that he would be retiring from competition immediately because of a lingering back injury, it was the 18-year old Swanson who stepped in to take over for Pennink in the Whelen Modified Tour Toyota Mod Classic 150 Saturday at Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway.

Swanson finished sixth at Oswego in his second outing this year for the Boehler Racing Enterprises team.

Swanson had previously filled in for Pennink on Aug. 8, the day Pennink’s daughter Jordan was born, Swanson finished second in that event. Swanson has also made five Whelen Modified Tour start this year for his family owned team.

Swanson, of Acton, Mass., will be back in the BRE car at Riverhead Saturday.

“It’s just a race by race deal that we’ve settled on,” Swanson said. “… We figured we’d go to Oswego and if then if we got out of Oswego clean we were talking about going to Riverhead. If we make it out of Riverhead clean, which is the not the easiest thing to do, talks will start about Loudon. But as of now, Riverhead is the main focus.”

After Riverhead, the next event on the Whelen Modified Tour schedule is the Musket 250 on Sept. 22 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“The guys said he’s been great to work with,” Boehler Racing Enterprises owner Mike Boehler said. “No issues at all. Great feedback. Kept the nose clean and out of trouble, so that’s a good benefit too. Keeps it up front so it’s worked out great so far. We’re definitely going to be at Riverhead and try to work with him and a couple of his sponsors and see if we can put something together for Loudon. We’ve got a little bit of time on that anyways. Definitely just focusing on Riverhead.”

Swanson said he’s felt nothing but positives in working with the BRE team for two events.

“A lot of it has to do with the notebook that is here at the [Boehler Racing Enterprises] shop,” Swanson said. “They’ve been doing it for 60 years and the speed has always been there. A lot of it is how well prepared and how adapted these guys are to go to the race track every week. These guys know what they’re doing. … Their notebook goes back 60 years.”

Said Boehler: “You never know what’s going to happen. Every driver is different. … You don’t always know what you’re getting. We got real lucky. … He’s done great in his own cars with his family run team. … It’s worked out really good for everybody. Definitely blessed to have someone like that.”

Boehler said the team is still getting past the surprise of Pennink’s decision.

“It definitely hurts a lot,” Boehler said. “Rowan and his whole family, especially his dad, great people. He runs hard every lap. He runs practice like he runs in the race. We kind of built the program back up around him with their help. Been a joy to deal with. That hurt big time. Definitely set us back.”

Boehler said Swanson is tops on the list when it comes to talking about a full-time replacement for his team for 2019.

“That’s definitely a goal of mine,” Swanson said. “… Talks have been presented about coming back next year full-time as a partnership.”

Comments

  1. Hopefully the current agreement between Matt Swanson & BRE turns into a full time ride for 2019 on the NWMT. In 2 starts he’s managed a 2nd & 6th place finish respectively. He’s a young kid full of talent and would make for a good fit at BRE.

  2. So far so good.

  3. Great job Matt, keep up the strong runs and put this deal together for next season.

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