LAS VEGAS — Kody Swanson added to his illustrious OnlyBulls Open Wheel Showdown career on Friday night, racing to the $10,000 prize in the inaugural Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Non-Winged sprint car feature at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Swanson’s victory in the 75-lap feature adds to his 2023 Midget and 2024 and 2025 Winged Sprint Car triumphs at the event.
Watch Saturday’s event on SPEED SPORT 2.
“It feels really good. It’s been a lot of work the last three days. Sure appreciate the chance to come out and run the Open Wheel Showdown. What a special event,” Swanson said. “Really enjoy having a new challenge, new pavement, new division. It means a lot (to win for car owner Nick Bohanan). It didn’t sink in until you asked me. He’s been a great partner and a great friend. To be able to get him one of these of his own is pretty cool.”
Colorado’s Mike Hathaway was the fastest qualifier in the Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying before West Coast Stock Car / Motorsports Hall of Famer Tony Hunt drew the pole position. Swanson drove quickly into the lead on lap two.
Swanson and Jackson Macenko of Cincinnati, Ohio traded the top spot in lapped traffic. A caution flew for Shawn Priest hitting the turn four wall. He was uninjured.
On the restart, Hathaway and Swanson drove underneath Macenko into turn three. Macenko spun exiting turn four and surrendered his track position at the front of the field.
Macenko and Colorado’s Bryan Gossel then collided in turn two for the next caution. A multi-car melee ensued on the next attempt to get racing underway. Austyn Gossel and Macenko locked bumpers, collecting Davey Hamilton, Sr. and Bryan Gossel as well for a grinding backstretch crash.
Following an open red for refueling, action continued with Hathaway leading Swanson at the front of the field. Swanson used the high side to re-take control of the race on lap 42. Swanson drove a 6.5-second advantage over the pack at the finish with Tacoma, Washington’s Evan Margeson in second.
Colorado’s Chris Muhler was third followed by New Mexico’s Michael Fanelli and Austyn Gossel.
The finish:
Feature (75 Laps): 1. 33-Kody Swanson[2]; 2. 57-Evan Margeson[10]; 3. 95-Chris Muhler[15]; 4. 2-Michael Fanelli[7]; 5. 16G-Austyn Gossel[12]; 6. 1R-Ryan Land[18]; 7. 22A-Bobby Santos III[11]; 8. 27-Mike Hathaway[3]; 9. 24-Jackson Macenko[4]; 10. 14-Davey Hamilton Sr[6]; 11. 6G-Bryan Gossel[5]; 12. 3G-David Goodwill[13]; 13. 71-Shawn Priest[16]; 14. 9-Dylan Riggs[17]; 15. 28-Ryan Riggs[14]; 16. 56H-Tony Hunt[1]; 17. 36B-Ryan Burdett[8]; 18. 4-Jarrod Heap[9]
