By Dick Jordan
Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. capped his 2014 USAC Silver Crown National Championship in victory lane Saturday at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, winning the “Salt City 78” series finale.
Swanson’s title is his first in USAC National competition. He previously won the 2005 Western Sprint Car crown and in 2009 was named USAC’s Silver Crown “Rookie of the Year.”
Piloting the DePalma Motorsports Radio Hospital Maxim/Hampshire, Swanson out jumped pole winner Bobby East at the start and led the first 12 laps. East returned to the point on lap 13 and led through lap 66 before yielding back to Swanson for the final 12 circuits. A.J. Fike charged to the runner-up position at the checkered flag ahead of East, Chris Windom and Eastern standout Stewart Friesen, who was making his initial Silver Crown appearance.
Swanson closed out the season with five victories in 10 starts to beat Tracy Hines by 27 points for the title. East took third in the final standings ahead of Chris Windom and Jerry Coons Jr.
Final 2014 USAC Silver Crown Standings: 1-Kody Swanson-582, 2-Tracy Hines-555, 3-Bobby East-537, 4-Chris Windom-469, 5-Jerry Coons Jr.-408, 6-A.J. Fike-320, 7-Jacob Wilson-306, 8-Shane Cockrum-286, 9-Caleb Armstrong-259, 10-Patrick Lawson-245.