Putting on the Pressure - Travis Swaim
Hendersonville, NC (4/23/12) –
The Bassett brothers Ronnie Jr and Dillon have been getting quite a bit of attention lately with the UARA-STARS tour. Ronnie Jr has claimed two out of three wins already this year and is leading the 2012 UARA points. Younger brother Dillon is second in points giving them a one-two punch in the current standings.
During the past few years, Travis Swaim’s name has popped up through out UARA-STARS race recaps and leaders boards. His first appearance with the UARA was at Tri County Speedway in April 2007 and he came home with a third place finish. Now, five years later, his name is at the top and setting new records while doing it. Swaim is another driver that should also be getting everyones attention. He has come from 12th in points following the season opener, to 7th after the Dillon Motor Speedway race to a tie for 2nd with Dillon Bassett after his run at Rockingham.
Last week, Swaim turned a 24.564 second lap at Rockingham Speedway during his qualifying session. Not only did he win the Sunoco Pole, he also set a new track record at Rockingham for the UARA-STARS. Swaim lead the most laps during the event, awarding him the Tilton Most Laps Lead Award, and brought home a third place finish.
During the STARS’ Easter weekend visit to Dillon Motor Speedway, Swaim claimed his first Sunoco pole of the season. He led 46 laps of the Eggs-traordinary 150, and finished fifth.
Swaim has shown the fans and competitors his talent with having successful runs at three totally different tracks. His performances on the track have given him and his team a boost of confidence to carry onto the next event at Kingsport Speedway on May 4th.
As a driver, he appreciates all the help given on and off the race track. “I just have to say thanks to everyone at Performance Center, my awesome Crew, (led by Jamie Skinner and Ronald Fox),” says Swaim. “Also thanks to Mike Skinner and my dad Mike Swaim for everything they have done in helping our team be prepared for this season.”
Prior to the UARA-STARS, Swaims’ racing resume includes four track Championships at Caraway Speedway and a NASCAR Late Model State Championship for North Carolina (2009).
Not only is there a close battle in the front of the points board but there is a three way tie for 11th between Roger Powell, Sean Rayhall and Brandon Jones. With only three of the sixteen events run so far, 2012 will prove to be a close battle for all to watch.
2012 PointsPoints1Ronnie Basett Jr326
Ronnie Basett Jr3262Dillon Bassett278
Dillon Bassett2783Travis Swaim278
Travis Swaim2784Josh Wright262
Josh Wright2625Tim George Jr244
Tim George Jr2446Scott Turlington239
Scott Turlington2397Tyler Laing236
Tyler Laing2368Ben Rhodes231
Ben Rhodes2319Jake Morris214
Jake Morris21410Joey Herques205
Joey Herques20511Roger Powell186
Roger Powell18612Sean Rayhall186
Sean Rayhall18613Brandon Jones186
Brandon Jones18614Devin Jones184
Devin Jones18415Andy Mercer164
Andy Mercer16416Will Gallaher163
Will Gallaher16317Scott Bishop154
Scott Bishop15418Cory Joyce150
Cory Joyce15019Camden Murphy136
Camden Murphy13620Clayton Pyne127
Clayton Pyne12721Cory LaJoie120
Cory LaJoie12022Kaleb Pressley103
Kaleb Pressley10323Garrett Campbell92
Garrett Campbell9224Jesse Little86
Jesse Little8625Matt Piercy84
Matt Piercy8426Paddy Rodenbeck77
Paddy Rodenbeck7727Clay Rogers75
Clay Rogers7528Joey Bryant72
Joey Bryant7229Trey Marcham69
Trey Marcham6930Randy Benson68
Randy Benson6831Sean Shalvoy66
Sean Shalvoy6632Jeremy Pike64
Jeremy Pike6433Tyler English63
Tyler English6334Randy Hawkins59
Randy Hawkins5935Julia Dawson58
Julia Dawson5836Quinn Fowler57
Quinn Fowler5737Enrique Contreras54
Enrique Contreras5438Giles Thornton52
Giles Thornton5239Sammy Jasper52
Sammy Jasper5240R.A. Brown51
R.A. Brown5141Logan Bunning50
Logan Bunning5042Darrick Coomer49
Darrick Coomer4943Jimmy Simmons47
Jimmy Simmons4744Allen Carter46
Allen Carter4645Brad Cox0
Brad Cox046Lee Pullium0
Lee Pullium0The next stop on schedule for the UARA is Kingsport on May 4th. This Tennesse bullring should produce some exctitng action and more shuffles in the standings.
For more information on the UARA-STARS, visit them online at www.uara-stars.com or call (828) 692-3833. Fans are also encouraged to “like” them on Facebook under the United Auto Racing Association and follow them on Twitter @uarastars
Press Release by: Kassie Hughes
Photos by Drew Heiwarter
