King of the crown: Kody Swanson’s path from tragedy to triumph

(WXIN/WTTV) — Every sport has debates over who really is “The Greatest.” Basketball has Jordan and LeBron. Football has Peyton and Brady. Tennis has Serena, Roger and Djokovic.

IndyCar’s list is long: Mario, Al, A.J., Rutherford, Mears and Helio, with Newgarden trying to join the debate this year.

But in the USAC Silver Crown Series, there’s only one name: Swanson.

Kody Swanson grew up in Kingsburg, California, and found pro racing in the year 2000. He cut his teeth in Junior Sprints before jumping to the United States Auto Club out west and finding his way to the Racing Capitol of the World in Indianapolis by the 2010s.

From there, he started winning.

By Christmas 2023, Swanson had scored seven Silver Crown championships and was gearing up for a strong push in 2024. However, that Christmas came with a big lump of coal in Swanson’s stocking.

“At my parents’ house on Christmas morning 2023, I just had one of those fluke accidents that ended up crushing my left foot,” Swanson explains. “Really sending our off-season and our future into uncertain times.”

Warning: The photos below contain graphic injuries. Photos via Jordan Swanson.

Swanson’s injury was worse than even he thought. He had an emergency surgery in California, then x-rays, MRIs and external fixators. By the time he got to Indiana and the team at OrthoIndy, they gave him recovery time of six months, meaning half a year before he should even think about getting behind the wheel of a car.

Only problem: The Silver Crown series starts in April. Two months before the end of his timeline.

“That long winter, early spring off-season is hard for racing families,” said Swanson. “There’s just uncertainty in that, whether it’ll rain or not. But if you’re not racing, you’re not generating any racing income.”

They made up that income through two sources. Swanson’s wife, Jordan, picked up work as a teacher while Swanson turned to the sport he was being kept away from by dipping into RaceAid, the USAC’s assistance fund.

“As a competitor in USAC racing, RaceAid is something we’ve known about, something we try to support,” said Swanson. “Knowing that they’re there for people that need it, right? Something you never hoped that you’re on the receiving end of it, but we’re so thankful that they were there when we were on the receiving end.”

RaceAid is the modern version of an idea that’s existed as long as racecars have. AAA Motor Club started a fund for motorists before World War II. USAC’s Benevolent Fund started in the late 1950s. Since then, it’s helped drivers, families, mechanics, and anyone connected to the sport of racing.

“I couldn’t estimate the number. It’s in the 100s,” explains Dr. Patrick Sullivan, a legendary race announcer who works on special projects for USAC Racing. “You go back in history and it’s many, many, many.”

The fund awarded more than $75,000 worth of grants in 2024, with a portion of that money helping Swanson through his recovery.

“Kody is literally one of the most beloved drivers in the history of the United States Auto Club, and one of the very best,” says Sullivan. “He almost had to be convinced that, yes, this fund was here for this reason, and to help him.”

Swanson took the aid, and leaned into his rehab with OrthoIndy. By the time the Silver Crown’s season opener came around with the Rollie Beale Classic in Toledo, Ohio, Swanson was still limping, but ready to race.

Swanson won in Toledo, and he won in Winchester, Brownsburg, and Jennerstown, before closing out with a win at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in October. That race sealed his historic eighth championship, one that might never have happened if he had never had the support and the drive to get back behind the wheel.

“I mean, my only attempt to explain it is that God is great,” said an emotional Swanson immediately after claiming his crown. “If you want to talk about this one specifically, I don’t know if I should have even raced this year.”

Despite his dominance in the series and announcers casually proclaiming him the “king of Silver Crown,” Swanson will not hesitate to tell you he doesn’t do anything alone.

“RaceAid does so much for the racing community,” he said. “Whether you’re a competitor or a pit crew member, or things like that, RaceAid has done so much to help people in need.”

The fund accepts donations year-round at raceaid.fund. The single biggest dose of income comes during the month of May, at the Bill Marvel Women’s Charity Golf Outing. It operates with zero overhead, so every dollar goes directly to the racers.

“We have some drivers who are professional race drivers. Kody Swanson is one of them,” said Sullivan. “But a lot of the people who participate are people who have regular jobs. They do this on top of their regular work. So if they are hurt while racing, guess what, it also affects their other job. So while we have insurance programs, and they have insurance themselves, it is so important to provide that little extra that can help them get by when they’re on the mend to help them get back into racing shape and get back into action.”

As for Swanson, he’s still recovering, still racing, and still embracing the support system around him.

“It’s getting better every day. It’s been a long recovery,” he said. “I’m enjoying this summer, trying to keep up with my kids. They’re 9 and 6 and playing all the sports, so Dad’s getting a little quicker and trying to keep up with them better.”