WHITELAND, Ind. – Nolen Racing is going to have a brand-new, slimmed-down look when team owner Gene Nolen debuts the squad for the upcoming United States Auto Club season.

Nolen confirmed Thursday morning that his team will cut back from fielding two USAC Silver Crown Series cars to just one next year, with four-time and defending Silver Crown champion Kody Swanson behind the wheel.

Swanson joins Nolen Racing after series veterans Chris Windom and Jerry Coons Jr. piloted entries for the team this season.

“We want to publicly thank Jerry Coons Jr. and Chris Windom for driving for us,” Nolen said. “We really appreciate Jerry driving for us for all these years. They are both champion drivers, they’ve both been winners with us, and they are both very talented. Any team would be lucky to have either one. But we need to cut back the number of cars we’re fielding for a variety of reasons, and we hope that by making this difficult decision early, they will have time to find other good opportunities for 2019.”

Kody Swanson will take the reins of the Nolen Racing Silver Crown car next season. (Nolen Racing photo)

Originally from Kingsburg, Calif. but now living in in Zionsville, Ind., Swanson comes to Nolen Racing fresh off a five-year stint driving the famed No. 63 for DePalma Motorsports, which announced earlier this week that it would close its doors and end its Silver Crown tenure on top of the series.

Swanson set two major records this season, winning five Silver Crown races in a row and also securing his 24th career series victory to stand alone atop the all-time list. Both marks were previously held by Jack Hewitt.

His new home with the Nolen team isn’t all new, as Swanson gave Nolen his first Pay Less Little 500 sprint car victory as an owner back in May at Anderson Speedway.

“Gene is someone that I’ve kept in contact with over the years, and he’s someone who was aware of what was going on with the DePalma team. He had been checking in with me at the end of last year to see what the deal was, and with the developments that have taken place this deal has moved really quickly here,” Swanson told SPEED SPORT. “For me, racing is a team sport as much as it is about the driver, and Gene’s people are top-notch and a group that I’m excited to get to work with.

“The Little 500 in May was a big moment for us as a unit. While it’s great to drive in the race and try to have your name as a winning driver, it’s something I take pride in, being part of the team that delivered Gene his first win,” Swanson continued. “Whether it’s driving for Gene or the records we set with the DePalmas, I’m ready to give it my all again and chase even more wins and a championship next year.”

In regards to Nolen’s sprint car effort at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway for the Little 500 next year, that squad will drop from three cars to two, with Swanson and Shane Hollingsworth returning to drive.

Next year will mark Nolen’s 29th year as a Silver Crown team owner. Team manager Kevin Noblitt and right-hand-man Rick Laughlin will remain with the team, and it will continue to utilize Chevrolet engines prepared by Bill Tranter.

KECO Coatings and Indy Race Parts will continue as the main sponsors of the team for next season.

Jacob Seelman

Jacob Seelman, 24, is the founder and managing editor of 77 Sports Media and a major contributing writer for SPEED SPORT Magazine. He is studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. and also serves as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.

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