swarthout, Williams claim DCRP Sprint car nationals night 1

Dodge City, Kan 4/5/2024 (www.racedcrp.com)  -  Dodge City Raceway Park kicked off its 2024 racing season with the DCRP Sprint Car Nationals Friday night. 73 race teams including 31 IMCA RaceSaver Sprint cars made the haul for the double header weekend. Friday night featured United Rebel Sprint Series Qualifying, in which Jordan Knight established a new track record at 15.676. 

In the IMCA Sport Compact division, 5 drivers checked into the 3/8 mile track. Kaishen Brack out of Ellis, KS, picked up the Heat race win. In the 15 lap feature, Grant Loung started 4th and worked his way up into the lead to claim his first win of the season. When the Hobby Stocks hit the track, it was a wild charge from the back to the front for Cody Williams. Heat Race 1 saw a hard charge from 6th to 1st with the 77 of Cody Williams making quick work.

 Heat race 2 saw Dion Priddy setting himself up well for the night's 20 lap feature. Moving up one spot on the start, Priddy was able to sail away in the heat race. Tyler Heath would claim the final heat race in the IMCA Hobby Stocks. In the feature, Cody Willaims started on the pole and never left it. “The car was really bad tonight, honestly” said Williams. “We were up in Iowa last night, came back down here to run, and we might head back up to Iowa tomorrow now.” 

With the IMCA Sport Mods, Steven Swarthout and Brendyn Nordyke would pick up the heat race wins, with Swarthout picking up the 20 lap feature win. Swarthout had to battle for the win towards the final laps. Justin Lampe, the pole sitter, would try to defend his starting spot, but Swarthout had the faster car. “ I gotta thank my team, my family, and the good lord,” said Swarthout.  The United Rebel Sprint Series started its season at Dodge City Raceway Park Friday night with 31 race teams checking into the $5,000 to win DCRP Sprint Car Nationals. Friday Night featured 4 car group qualifying, which included Jordan Knight establishing a new track record at 15.676. The night would run into Heat Races where 4 drivers were able to pick up wins. Jack Thomas, Joey Danley, Ray Seemann, and Tyler Knight all picking up the wins.

In Qualifier A, the race saw plenty of close battles for the lead. Conner Thomas, only 16 years old, started on the pole for the first race, and it was a dog fight for all 15 laps. Koby Walters and Danny Wood tried to make a late race charge where the 2 would trade slidejobs and crossovers for a few laps before Conner Thomas was able to pull away from the two. 

Qualifier B would produce the same energy as well, with Steven Richardson picking up the checkered flag at the end of the 15 lap race. “It's always nice to come out to Dodge City and run well. Props to Kyler and his crew for getting this race in, because we knew it was going to be questionable” said Richrdson. Lap traffic became a factor late in the qualifier race, as Steven Richrdson closed in on Mike Kleyman in the final laps. 

The field will now be set for Saturdays feature events as well as the King of the Hill Pole Shuffle.