Swindell to Return to NEMA for Bertrand at Seekonk & the New London Waterford Speedbowl
Official NEMA Press release!
One of the most recognized names in American motorsports, Sammy Swindell, will make a pair of Northeastern Midget Association starts for Tim Bertrand/Bertrand Motorsports on Wednesday June 27th at Seekonk’s Open Wheel Wednesday/Boston Louie Memorial and at the New London Waterford Speedbowl on September 15th. Swindell is a three-time World of Outlaws Champion & Five-time Chili Bowl champion.
Swindell will join a five car Bertrand Motorsports NEMA operation for the two races, with five time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Doug Coby joining Swindell & teammates Todd Bertrand, Randy Cabral and Avery Stoehr at Seekonk. At the Speedbowl, Keith Rocco, who had a successful debut with the team at this year’s Blastoff, will join Swindell and the team.
‘I’m incredibly excited to be able to put together another deal with Sammy for 2018,’ said team owner, Tim Bertrand. ‘We had a great time racing together over the last couple of years and getting to know each other, and the entire team is looking forward to having him and Amy back to the Northeast,” said Bertrand.
Swindell was successful in his debut two seasons ago with the team, running second fastest in qualifying, advanced from seventh to third in his heat and from fifth to fourth in the feature, against NEMA’s best. Along the way he went wheel-to-wheel with teammates Randy Cabral, Todd Bertrand and held off a charge from two time and defending Champion John Zych.
“The guys did a good job the last time I came out; the car never missed a beat and never had any problems. It’s nice to be able to just come in and drive something like that. The car was good all night, but towards the end of the feature it started getting way tight due to a malfunction with the bleeders,” Swindell told AARN reporter Mark McKeon.
“I’m excited to be able to get back out and drive for Tim and his team. We’ve gotten to know each other well over the last couple of years and even teamed up successfully for the Chili Bowl last winter. A lot of the learning curve is behind us, and we should be able to get right to it off the bat this year,” said Swindell.
Car owner Bertrand was ecstatic after the last time Swindell sat in the seat, in addition to Swindell’s fourth place finish, saw team cars driven by Randy Cabral and Todd Bertrand finish first and third respectively. “It was a great night for the team and for NEMA, and Sammy is welcome to come out any time he’d like,” Bertrand said.