Roahrig Scores Emotional Win to Close Out 2024 500 Tour Season, Swanson Crowned Series Champion
Roahrig Scores Emotional Win to Close Out 2024 500 Tour Season, Swanson Crowned Series Champion
Tyler Roahrig’s fourth-straight 500 Sprint Car Tour win at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park was his biggest yet. The race itself was business as usual, setting fast time and passing Dakoda Armstrong for the lead with ten to go, but the meaning of the win made it special.
The Plymouth, IN driver has been carrying the name of two year old Marshall Hancock on the visor of both his No.56 Sprint Car and his USAC Silver Crown rides after he unexpectedly passed away last month.
On Saturday night, he took Marshall to victory lane with him, with parents Mike and Morgan and family in attendance.
Tyler Roahrig in Victory Lane with Mike & Morgan Hancock - Jack Kessler
“This is a big win, honestly. It’s nice to win with that name on the visor. His mom and dad and family are here tonight and it means a lot to win with them here,” said Roahrig in victory lane. “This thing ran like a missile all year. I’m sure everyone can hear it in the stands, it was screaming.”
It was the 2023 series champion’s fourth win of the year, and fourth consecutive at IRP going back to August 2022. After setting fast time in qualifying earlier in the afternoon, he methodically drove his way from the fifth starting spot to take the lead with ten laps to go and drove away in the remaining laps.
Meanwhile, a third-place finish netted Kody Swanson his second 500 Sprint Car Tour championship in the series’ first three years. Driving for three separate teams during the season, he won the season-opening Glen Niebel Classic at Anderson for Doran Binks Racing while finishing on the podium in each of his five starts for Salem Speedway owner Nick Bohanon.”
Kody Swanson (3rd), Tyler Roahrig (1st), Dakoda Armstrong (3rd) - Jack Kessler
“I hate it that we weren’t able to win one (for Nick Bohanon), but we never finished off the podium in the No.33. There were a lot of people who were a part of this and a part of the season. We started off the season with the Doran Binks team like we had planned on doing through the Little 500, plus we got to run the Nolen No.4 in memory of Gene. It’s really special to have all the people who stepped into my corner on the track and give us a chance to race for a title.”
Results:
1. Tyler Roahrig
2. Dakoda Armstrong
3. Kody Swanson
4. Kyle O’Gara
5. Jackson Macenko
6. Jake Trainor
7. Bobby Santos III
8. Taylor Ferns
9. Nathan Byrd
10. Billy Wease
11. Kyle Robbins
12. Donnie Adams Jr.
13. Tony Main
14. Tim Creech
15. Cory Butler
16. Chris Jagger
17. Justin Harper
18. Landon Butler
19. Derek Bischak
20. Trey Osborne
