Swaim signs for Dash, ARCA
4 February 1998
HOUSTON (Feb 3,1998) - The familiar bright yellow of Pennzoil will adorn the cars of 21 year-old Mike Swaim Jr. at selected ARCA and NASCAR Goody's Dash races in 1998. Swaim, the 1997 Goody's Dash champion, and Pennzoil Products Company, marketer of America's #1 selling motor oil, signed a sponsorship agreement today for Swaim to race in at least five ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America) races, including the Charlotte and Atlanta events as well as all non-conflicting Goody's Dash races. "Last year when we won the championship we did it without a sponsor, so this year I think we can have an even better year now that we have Pennzoil on board," said Swaim, who is a business administration major at Guilford Technical Community College. "My goal is to someday race in Winston Cup. I'm only 21 years old right now, so I have a lot of time, but I look at moving into the ARCA Series as a step up." "This is Pennzoil's first sponsorship in both the Goody's Dash and the ARCA series," said Tom Floyd, Pennzoil's chief marketing officer. "We're really looking forward to this new association in 1998. "I think anyone who knows the Swaim family knows they are quality people and the kind of people with whom Pennzoil likes to be associated," Floyd continued. "Plus, everyone tells me this kid can really drive a race car, so hopefully this is the start of a very productive relationship for both parties." Swaim and his team, Falcon Racing, owned by his father Mike Swaim,Sr., competed in two ARCA races at Charlotte last year, posting fifth- and eight-place finishes. In his only other ARCA race, the former all-conference high school baseball player finished in the top 10 at Atlanta. He posted four victories, five poles and the series championship in the 1997 Goody's Dash Series. "I know it might sound strange, but driving an ARCA car at Charlotte was a lot easier than driving a Dash car," said Swaim. "The ARCA cars are longer and heavier and a bit more stable than the Dash cars, which have a smaller wheelbase." Swaim joins Pennzoil's NASCAR family, which includes 1998 Rookie of the Year contender Steve Park; #30 Gumout Pontiac driver Derrike Cope, the 1990 Daytona 500 winner; and #18 Pennzoil Ford driver Tony Raines, a first-time winner in the Craftsman Truck Series in 1997. Swaim said that his High Point, N.C.-based team plans to copy the paint scheme on Park's #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo onto Swaim's #28 Pontiac Sunfire in the Dash Series and the #22 Pontiac Grand Prix in the ARCA Series. Charlotte motorsports artist Sam Bass designed a new paint scheme in January for all of Pennzoil's racecars. "This Pennzoil deal may sound minor to a lot of people", said Swaim, "but this is a big step for me. One day when I'm in Winston Cup racing, I will look back on it and realize this was one of the best days of my career." Pennzoil Products Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Houston-based Pennzoil Company , and its motor oil has been America's No. 1-selling brand for more than twelve years. ### Mike Swaim, Jr. Fact Sheet Driver: Mike Swaim, Jr. Born: 6-16-76 Residence: High Point, N.C. Marital Status: Single Height: 5 ft. 10 in. Weight: 165 lbs. 1994 graduate of Trinity High School Attending Guilford Technical Community College Majoring in Business Administration Three-year starter for Trinity High School Baseball Team All-North Piedmont Conference team Received Golden Bat Award in senior year with .364 batting average Accomplishments: Dash Series * Nine Victories Bristol Motor Speedway North Wilkesboro Speedway Hickory Motor Speedway Florence Motor Speedway (2) Volusia County Speedway Lanier National Speedway Caraway Speedway Tri-County Motor Speedway * 11 Pole Awards * 28 Top Five Finishes * 40 Top Ten Finishes ARCA Series * 3 Starts * 1 Top Five Finish * 2 Top Ten Finishes
