James Swan Takes Home the Checkered Flag in Midwest Truck Series

James Swan took home the checkered flag in the Glassworks of Wisconsin 30 for the Midwest Truck Series race at Madison. It was Swan’s second career truck win on Wisconsin’s Fastest Half Mile as. the largest field of trucks ever to assemble for a single race at Madison was on hand tonight as twenty-nine truckers came to town. Twenty-eight Midwest Trucks came to the green flag with John Ovadal Jr. and James Swan leading the way. Swan grabbed the early lead with Ovadal Jr. and Todd Kluever second and third. On lap 2 Kluever moved to the inside of Ovadal Jr. to try to take second, but the caution flag would come out one lap later when Mike Corvo spun in turn four. Swan chose to line up on the outside for the restart giving Ovadal Jr. the inside. He was able to maintain a slight lead with Kluever up to second on the outside of Ovadal Jr. Swan opened up a three truck length lead over Kluever with Ovadal Jr., Kevin Knuese, and Jeff Holtz rounding out the top five as they were able to put some ground between themselves and the sixth place truck of Ryan Goldade. The trucks of Riley Stenjem and Jeff Watters made contact coming out of turn two on lap 10 bringing out the second caution and sending both to the rear of the field.

Once again Swan would elect to start on the outside with Kluever on the inside. Swan continued to pace the field after the green flag waved as the top five once again tried to break away from the pack. But four laps later the yellow flag came out again when the trucks of Holtz and Knuese got together coming out of turn four. For his involvement, Holtz would go to the rear of the field. Swan and Kluever would lead the field back to green with Swan getting back out front. Ovadal Jr. moved to the outside of Kluever with Knuese also in the mix and Joe Valento all the way up to fifth. Swan and Kluever were able to put some real estate between themselves and the rest of the field before the caution flag came out on lap 18 when Dave Edwards and Ryan Goldade got together.

Swan was able to get back out front while Kluever and Knuese were side by side for second with Valento up to fourth ahead of Ovadal Jr. Swan opened up a six truck length advantage thanks to the battle for second going on behind him. His lead opened up to ten lengths. With two laps to go Knuese was able to clear Kluever for second, but out front it was all Swan who piloted his truck to the win. Knuese, Kluever, Valento, and Ovadal Jr. rounded out the top five.

“I knew I could trust Todd so I let him run the bottom. The outside worked for us. A big thanks to Mike Carmichael for letting me drive this truck,” said Swan.

Heat winners were Brandon Riedner, Jerry Wood, Joe Valento, and Todd Kluever.