(Press release from Matt Swanson Racing)
Set to Compete at CT Shoreline Oval
Matt Swanson of Acton, MA, goes from one bullring to another this weekend with the goal of improving one position. From a second place finish in the Tri-Track Open Modified Series event at Star Speedway, the 21-year old will head to Waterford, CT, in search of victory in the SK Modified division for eNVy Motorsports out of North Stonington, CT.
Swanson joined car owners Nick and Krista Verno late last season to compete in three races at the New London/Waterford Speedbowl. They are scheduled to compete in all five of the Fast Five SK® Modified events this season.
“We had some really strong runs together last season,” said Swanson. “Bad luck plagued us so the finishes did not show how good we really were. All the pieces are in place to get a win.”
Team eNVy has fielded cars at the Speedbowl for 14 years; posting a win back in 2016 with Matt Galko. Full-scale changes in 2020 found Verno changing chassis builders –going to 2KWIK Chassis- and ultimately drivers.
“We wanted to test the new car,” said Verno, “and thanks to a connection that our chassis builder has with Matt, he agreed to help.”
The instant connection and camaraderie led to the teams joining forces then and now.
With a hybrid schedule that includes select NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, open modified races and a full-time campaign with the Tri-Track Series with the Boehler Racing Enterprises, Swanson is looking forward to running the SK ® Modified as well.
This weekend’s event is the first of the “Fast Five” SK ® Modified events presented by Ron Bouchard Auto Store this season and is one of the shortest distances of the scheduled events; which are all dedicated to racing legends. The $3,000 payday is only part of the incentive for Swanson, who is off to a strong start in Modified competition but with less than satisfying results.
“I’ve run well all year but don’t really have the finishes to show for it,” said Swanson, who’s been plagued by bad luck and mechanical woes. “I really want to win for myself and for Nick, Krista, their boys Nevin and Aidan, co-owner Mike Verno and the whole team.”
Swanson earned his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole Award on Friday, April 30, during qualifying for the Stafford Spring Sizzler. He led laps in both the Sizzler and Outlaw Modified Northeast Classic on April 18 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway before finishing 20th and seventh, respectively. A strong run in the Tri-Track opener at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH, ended early resulting in a 22nd place finish.
Swanson, who won a Modified Racing Series event at the Speedbowl in 2020 for Gary Casella, looks to capitalize on the momentum following a second-place finish at Star Speedway to score the victory for eNVy Motorsports.
we need matt in an SK at Stafford
Has a 2kwik chassis won an sk race anywhere yet?
A Swanson press release. About a big race at the Speedbowl. True to their word nothing from the management. A duck out of water as it were.
Gada in first place in the points standings has a familiar ring to it from days past. Owen in second sounds very familiar.. Mike Christopher in third? The Christopher part is familiar in third but Mike Jr? That’s new.
I forgot what a strong field the Speedbowl got for the Bob Potter Memorial last year which was over 30 cars. Pay them and they will come. This isn’t as big a pay day but it’s bigger so it should produce a great car count if they can get it in.
Would it be snooty to say you either race SK’s and know them or you don’t? Has a newer team without significant SK experience ever dropped in to an SK event anywhere and won? Swanson had an 8th and 9th last year. Two tenths off the winner one race, faster then the leader in another.
If they could win an SK race, any SK race it would be very impressive. The most competitive SK teams have been doing it forever, know all the quirks and tricks to getting the last once of speed out of the two barrels and are just so hard to compete with on a part time basis.
Who’s the chassis builder?
And Matt could use the seat time in an SK at Stafford.
The Racing Guys are awesome – Dick Williams is amazing at getting sponsorship $$$ for the RACERS.
This is the biggest (5 race) SK Series ever – $120,000 purse, If someone sweeps the series that is a whopping $21,000. Mike Christopher Jr and Todd Owen have to be the favorites, still wondering if Money Matt will show up to steal the $$$$
Just wish the weather would of been better for this weekend.
Have The Racing Guys posted an entry list for tomorrow night’s SK race at the Bowl?
$3K to win and $450 to start should make for a good field of cars. The weather is looking real sketchy though. Ugly until mid afternoon and iffy from then on.
Matt would benefit greatly with Stafford SK experience.
Too bad so sad he’s going to Waterford. It’s kind of funny that Raceday reports on Riverhead events and a Long Island race site is reporting on the speedbowl. I think Christophers plan was to race all five of the big races but having good finishes, being third in points and not wrecking might change his mind and be a regular. Owen, always up front but just can’t get the win, yet. Great to have Sid’s view back for these five events. Now Dafella can watch safely from his basement. No entry list, the racing guys have said on Twitter. Only new guys that have posted their intent to race are both Monahan’s and Jacob Perry. I’m sure Rocco will be there.
Doug, I love you brother but do you read the article before you post?
“Team eNVy has fielded cars at the Speedbowl for 14 years; posting a win back in 2016 with Matt Galko. Full-scale changes in 2020 found Verno changing chassis builders –going to 2KWIK Chassis- and ultimately drivers.”
“We wanted to test the new car,” said Verno, “and thanks to a connection that our chassis builder has with Matt, he agreed to help.“
2KWIK is the answer.
Earl wrote, “Doug, I love you brother but do you read the article before you post?”
Why start now?
Doug might read the article, but he rarely understands it.
Reading is to comprehending like looking is to seeing, and hearing is to listening.
Do you love me Earl cause I have to say I’m not feeling it lately. Where’s the beef? You’re the Speedbowl guy. You got the quotes from the article right but how about whatever else you know about the team? Come on man you must know more then what the article said. I’m a sponge, your knowledge is water so hold me under the faucet of Earl and soak me good.
Is this the part where I say I meant a driver dropping in to the SK’s and winning and not the team? Nope I definitely meant the team and had no clue about these guys nor have I ever heard of their chassis work. Spindles yes and now trannies, chassis no although they say they do it all. Don’t leave me hanging buddy!
“We wanted to test the new car,” said Verno, “and thanks to a connection that our chassis builder has with Matt, he agreed to help.”
What’s that mean?
Earl help I’m drowning in ignorance!!
I know nothing about the 2KWIK chassis, Matt’s relationship with them or Nicks decision to change so I can’t help you there.
First time I had ever heard of 2kwik was when Andy Jankowiak drove one for tri track years ago. 2KWIK was prominently displayed across the back. Which is why I assumed they built those cars somewhere in western New York. But I have no idea really where the shop is. Plus Vernos car is the first 2KWIK sk I’ve ever heard of.
Speaking of Jankowiak, nice nineth place finish yesterday at Charlotte in the Arca race. That guys racing career is all over the place. Just last year he was racing an SK for the Perry family at Waterford.
I may be slow but persistent and will catch up eventually.
Kluth Motorsports/2KWIK Chassis and Parts, Holley, NY way up by Rochester in ROC country. Sal Accardi Racing apparently uses their chassis.
So to rephrase the original question. When has a part time team new or otherwise dropped in with a relative newcomer to SK racing to win a major, high dollar SK modified event?
Jordon won the Bob Potter Memorial, Christopher now has substantial Speedbowl experience. Add in Owen, Janovic, Moeller, Rocco if he comes and if it’s like last year a who’s who of SK teams a top 5 for Swanson would be a great showing.