Swindell brothers tops in World of Outlaws

Thursday, Nov. 6, 1997 | 9:51 a.m.

The Swindell brothers made the season finale for the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series a family affair.

Jeff Swindell charged from his 12th-place starting position to win the A-main Wednesday night before an overflow crowd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's half-mile dirt oval and older brother Sammy captured the series championship with a solid second-place finish.

It was Sammy Swindell's third title in seven complete seasons and first since 1982, but the laconic Memphis, Tenn., native acted as if it was just another night at the races.

"This is the first time since the one before that I've had all the stuff that we need (to be competitive)," Swindell said. "It's a lot tougher (to win) out here now."

It may be tougher to win championships, but Swindell said having a full crew and a front-line sponsor in Channellock made his job easier by allowing him to concentrate on driving.

"This year was pretty easy for us," said Swindell, who won 30 feature races in 90 starts en route to the title. "We've got some good guys and they really take care of the car and it gives me a lot of time to do other things. I'm really doing less work than I've ever done before."

Jeff Swindell said he would like to spend more of his working hours racing at the LVMS dirt track, where he last visited the winner's circle after he captured the Silver State Shootout in February.

"It's been a long time since we've been here," Swindell said as he celebrated his win in victory circle. "It was back in February when we were here last -- I think we need to race here every weekend."

Swindell started the featured 30-lap event on the outside of the sixth row and steadily gained on the leaders, overtaking his brother and race leader Dave Blaney with four laps remaining. Andy Hillenburg finished third after starting third.

The most entertaining run of the night came in the B-main as Brent Kaeding of Campbell, Calif., won the 12-lap race after starting last in the 18-car field. Kaeding also won the 10-lap C-main to advance to the B-main.

Stevie Smith, who won Tuesday night's A-main, led wire-to-wire in the five-lap Vivarin Dash but was knocked out of Wednesday's A-main when he collided with Daryn Pittman on the 17th lap.