Matt Swanson To Make Indoor Racing Debut


(Press release from Matt Swanson Racing)

Matt Swanson (Photo: Shawn Courchesne/RaceDayCT)

Shape Shifter Motorsports and owner Ken “Puddin” Sebring announced the addition of Modified ace Matt Swanson of Acton, MA, to the team’s roster for this weekend’s Indoor Racing Series event at the New York State Fairgrounds Exposition Center in Syracuse, NY. The 21-year old driver will join teammate Doug Stearly of Trappe, PA, in the two-car effort for the series finale on Friday and Saturday, March 11 & 12.  

“We are really excited to have Matt join us this weekend,” said Sebring. “He’s a great kid with a ton of talent. We’ve worked together a couple of times over the years racing Modifieds so we know he’s a good fit for our team.” 

Despite his young age, Swanson is a seasoned competitor with a unique versatility. He has found success on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour as well as the Tri-Track Open Modified Series, Modified Racing Series and in open Modified events.   He was the 2016 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Rookie of the Year at only 16 years of age.  Before making the jump to Modified racing at the age of 14, Swanson scored over 100 victories in go-karts and Quarter Midgets. He has also competed successfully in Midgets and Super Late Models. 

It was announced earlier this year that, in addition to a busy schedule in tour-type Modified competition, Swanson will vie for the championship in the ultra-competitive SK Modified ® division at Stafford Motor Speedway for car owner Tom Bolles. 

“Running a TQ indoors is something that I have wanted to do for a longtime,” said Swanson.  “To do it with a team that I have history with is important. And, to race a car built by 2Kwik Chassis means I am in the best equipment; making this such a great opportunity for me.” 

Not a complete stranger to this type of racing, Swanson competed in both winged and non-winged 600 micro sprints in central Pennsylvania in 2013; even winning in his first start on dirt at Hamlin Speedway. 

Stearly, who is also a rookie in the TQ ranks, will continue to pilot the team’s 2Kwik Chassis #21.  The go-kart racing ace has participated in the two preceding indoor events for the team with positive results. Stearly is an accomplished go-kart racer with countless victories throughout the northeast including the Indoor Auto Racing Championship Series. 

“I have worked with Rick [Kluth of 2Kwik Chassis] since starting this team in 2016,” added Sebring. “This new car that he and Jeff [Ulrich] designed is definitely going to be among the ones to beat and I’m glad to be able to be involved at the beginning.” 

Swanson becomes the most recent to join a strong slate of drivers that have competed for Sebring; including former indoor champion Andy Jankowiak, Bobby Holmes, Timmy Solomito, Jonathan Reid, Tony DiMattia and DIRT Modified star Marc Johnson.  The team has also competed in outdoor events on a limited basis with the ATQMRA TQ Midget Series and NYPA Midget Association.

Shape Shifter Motorsports gets to the track thanks to support from Triple Clear Water Solutions, FX Caprara Honda, Lawn and Landscape Works, Specialty Rigging, TNT Canopies, Hydro-Fab Inc., and Trans-Fleet Concrete.

“The goal is to find speed quickly to run consistently and competitively in all the rounds of qualifying to set both Matt and Doug up for the opportunity to win,” added Sebring. 

Practice and qualifying at Syracuse gets underway on Friday with time trials for the TQ and Triple 20s. Qualifying events will also be held for the TQ Midgets, Slingshots and Champ Karts. On Saturday, qualifying races will again be held for the three divisions followed by feature events.

Comments

  1. Losing the Ole Blue ride wasn’t a good look but my-o-my it didn’t make much difference to young Swanson. A bunch rides and good at that so the old saw falling in a pile of poo and coming out smelling like roses seems apt.
    So did you see the SMART opener RaceDayCT nation? It’s a new day in modified racing with SMART a few clicks away. Up at Claremont or down in South Carolina they’re modifieds, they’re available to watch so consider getting on board.
    Good crowd, good field, some good racing and the top two finishers seemingly stuck to each other like glue starting at the NWMT opener and now 7 races in.
    First segment of thirty laps Hirschman is arcing the car as wide as he can to reduce tire wear. Cars pass him he’s not caring all that much. Being smooth his only concern and stay in eyesight of the leader.
    Approaching half way $200 bucks on the line so what the heck go for it and pay for a tire plus. The rest of the way is cashing in on the rubber he conserved but only when needed and remaining smooth the rest of the time.
    A lot of cars were racing too soon but I had my eye on the Father Time in the 99. The old man now has Social Security to help with his tire bill and looked sharp but couldn’t resist the low side while the 60 is floating around up high. It’s just so hard holding back and waiting but Hirschman has it down to a science. It isn’t chess vs checkers, it’s chess vs slap jack.
    Hey how about the plug and play 7ny. If that’s not proof it’s always about the car I don’t know what is. Put any driver in this year and get a podium. Their only problem appears to be Pee Dee at least so far.
    I’m no Dave Sapienza but commit to one tire for the Pee Dee 60 if the come to the Sizzler and they don’t have to win to collect. If anyone cares to join perhaps we could make this a thing.

  2. Suitcase Jake says

    I am glad the SMART TOUR is rising up again in the South….. The First Race was very good … Big Money did the usual thing… ride around in a higher line to save tires..Then move to the Lead….Pit and change RR then set the pace after taking the lead again with the 7NY on His Heels dodging lapped cars high and low.. The # 2 took on fresh rubber late and made a charge to the Front but came up just a little short…. Made up 11 positions on track … if there was a yellow I believe the # 2 of Brown….would Win with fresh Rubber..With all the Money on the line at the SIZZLER I would be shocked if BIG MONEY doesn’t SHOW UP to cash in …….

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