Kody Swanson Dominates Glen Niebel Classic to Open 500 Sprint Car Tour Season

Kody Swanson dominated Saturday's 26th Glen Niebel Classic presented by CB Fabricating at Anderson Speedway, firing the opening salvo of the 2026 yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour season.

Swanson started on the pole following the top-six redraw and led from flag to flag in the 100-lap contest, establishing himself as one of the favorites heading into the 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by Ed Martin Automotive Group in May.

While Swanson's victory was a comfortable one for those watching on, he did not feel that same sense of security in the cockpit. All he knew was the series' winningest driver, Tyler Roahrig, lurked behind him.

"Without spotters or anyone to give me any signals, you just never know," said Swanson in victory lane. "You watch that 56 [of Roahrig] creeping up the board and you figure he's going to pounce at any moment. I'm thankful we were able to hold on there in the closing stages."

The victory sets the tone for Swanson and his team as he pursues a third 500 Sprint Car Tour title, as well as his fourth Little 500 victory on Memorial Day weekend.

"What a great opportunity surrounded by great people, including this Doran Enterprises team and Dan Binks power under the hood. Our friend Ken, he's been under the weather off and on the last few years, but super excited to have him at the track with us tonight. He put this whole thing together five years ago or so now and we really appreciate that.

"Not to mention, we're entered under the Bohanon 33 to run for this 500 Tour championship. A few years ago we teamed up with Nick to run the Tour schedule with him, and I appreciate him letting us bring this car out to tune up for the Little 500. It's been something we've been after for a while and man, we'd sure love to have a great year this year."

The only hiccup on the night for Swanson came with 23 laps to go, as he made contact with Kyle O'Gara while trying to lap him exiting turn two. This sent O'Gara for a spin and brought out the caution flag, erasing a sizable lead for Swanson.

"I hate that," said Swanson. "I sure wouldn't have wanted to hook Kyle there. I was trying to time a run off of [turn] two, and I know he was trying to time a run on Derek, and I hate that we tangled. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to, we've been working together great and he had Binks power under hte hood tonight, too.

"I hate that happened, but thankfully, we were able to survive and go on and get this car in victory lane for these guys."

Roahrig was second-fastest in qualifying, behind Dakoda Armstrong and ahead of Swanson, but started fifth following the redraw. While the redraw hampered his starting position, Roahrig candidly said he had no answer for Swanson on Saturday night.

"I don't really think the redraw hurt us, honestly," admitted Roahrig. "I think we would have finished second either way, even if we started in front of Kody. I think he probably would have drove around us, honestly.

"I'm sure Dakoda would have been right up there, too. I mean, we made a few passes. It's more than I can say for the past few runnings here with the CB Fabricating Unified 56. We've still got some work to do, so I'm sure we'll be hard at it to get prepared for the 500."

Armstrong won last year's 500 Sprint Car Tour championship without a single DNF, only finishing outside the top five once. Unfortunately for him, that streak ended early in his title defense.

The right-front tire separated from his car on lap four, sending Armstrong into the outside wall in turns three and four. Armstrong is credited with a 19th-place finish to start the 2026 500 Sprint Car Tour season.

Young Colton Bettis finished third, backing up a podium finish in last year's Glen Niebel Classic. He hopes to take the lessons learned from Saturday's race and apply them when he returns to Anderson next month for his second Little 500 bid.

"We were really good on the longer runs. After we had that little break there on the red flag, our right-rear might have grown, we got a little free. Overall, the car was pretty good. I think we got some good notes going into the Little 500."

The victory is Swanson's seventh career 500 Sprint Car Tour points win, and his fourth with the series on the quarter-mile at Anderson.

Bobby Santos, III finished fourth, with Jackson Macenko rounding out the top five.

The 78th Annual Little 500 is scheduled for Saturday, May 23. Fans can watch the 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by Ed Martin Automotive Group live on RacingAmerica.TV.

-Photo credit: Rick Kimball

26th Glen Niebel Classic