Ken Schrader - A Racing Life On The Track
When you talk about people who have truly made their mark in racing, one name that pretty much always comes up is Ken Schrader. For decades, this person has been a constant presence on race tracks all over the country, showing a real knack for getting behind the wheel of just about any kind of competition vehicle. He's been around the sport for a very long time, and his accomplishments speak volumes about his dedication and skill.
He's someone who has driven so many different kinds of race machines, from the big stock cars to the smaller sprint vehicles, even the modified ones, and it's almost like he never stops. His time competing started way back in the 1960s, which, you know, is quite a long stretch of time. This kind of staying power in a demanding sport really tells you a lot about the person.
Even as he gets older, Ken Schrader, who is from Fenton, Missouri, still spends a lot of his time doing what he loves. He's been in race cars for well over a hundred days in recent years, which really shows his deep connection to the sport. He’s someone who has just kept going, proving that age is, in some respects, just a number when you have a passion for what you do.
Table of Contents
- Biography of Ken Schrader
- Personal Details of Ken Schrader
- What Makes Ken Schrader Stand Out on the Track?
- How Long Has Ken Schrader Been Racing?
- Where Has Ken Schrader Competed?
- Did Ken Schrader Win Any Big Races?
- What Kinds of Vehicles Has Ken Schrader Driven?
- Ken Schrader's Continued Presence in Racing
Biography of Ken Schrader
Kenneth William Schrader, born on May 29, 1955, is a person whose name is very much tied to the world of professional racing. He hails from Fenton, Missouri, a place that, you know, he’s always kept as his home base. His journey into the fast-paced world of motor sports began way back in the 1960s, a time when he first started to compete in a serious way.
From those early days, Ken Schrader has built up a reputation as one of the most successful people to ever sit behind the wheel of a race vehicle. His career is full of moments where he showed his unique ability to handle different kinds of race machines, and he collected many wins along the way. He’s someone who, in a way, has done it all in racing, from smaller local events to the biggest stages.
He is considered among the most accomplished race drivers of all time, which is a pretty big statement when you think about all the talent that has come through the sport. His record shows a person who not only competed but often found ways to come out on top, showing a deep understanding of how to get the most out of a vehicle on any given track. That, is that, a very impressive feat for anyone.
Personal Details of Ken Schrader
| Full Name | Kenneth William Schrader |
| Born | May 29, 1955 |
| Hometown | Fenton, Missouri |
| Key Achievements | 1982 USAC Silver Crown Champion, 1983 USAC National Sprint Car Champion, 1985 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year |
| NASCAR Cup Series Races | 763 (over 29 years) |
| NASCAR Retirement | 2013 |
Looking at these details, it’s clear that Ken Schrader has had a remarkably long and successful career. His birth date places him as someone who has seen many changes in the racing world, and yet, he has managed to stay relevant and competitive through it all. Being from Fenton, Missouri, gives him a kind of grounded background, which, you know, might have contributed to his consistent approach to the sport.
The list of his main accomplishments really highlights his skill across different kinds of racing. To be a champion in both the USAC Silver Crown and National Sprint Car series in back-to-back years is quite something. And then, to go on and be recognized as the Winston Cup Rookie of the Year in 1985, that just shows how quickly he adapted to the highest levels of the sport.
His time in the NASCAR Cup Series, with 763 races over nearly three decades, really tells a story of dedication and staying power. It's a very long run in a series that demands a lot from its participants. When he stepped away from NASCAR in 2013, after all those years, it marked the end of a big chapter, but certainly not the end of his time behind the wheel, as we will see.
What Makes Ken Schrader Stand Out on the Track?
So, what truly sets Ken Schrader apart when he’s out there competing? One of the biggest things is his incredible ability to drive just about any kind of race vehicle you can imagine. He’s handled everything from the larger stock cars to the sleeker late models, the bigger trucks to the smaller midgets, and even the very quick sprint cars and modified machines. This kind of adaptability is, actually, pretty rare in the racing world.
His staying power is another thing that really makes him special. He’s been actively racing for decades, and even as he gets older, he remains a very present figure in the sport. At 69 years of age, he shows no signs of wanting to slow down, which is quite something when you think about the physical demands of racing. He just keeps going, more or less, at full speed.
Think about this: in 2024, at his age, Ken Schrader spent more than a hundred days in a race car. That’s a huge amount of time, showing a commitment that few can match. It’s not just about showing up; it’s about actively participating in a lot of events, which, you know, requires a lot of effort and passion. He has, apparently, a deep love for being on the track.
And then there’s the sheer breadth of his competition. He has raced in 48 of the 50 United States, which is a truly remarkable achievement. This means he has seen and conquered a wide variety of tracks and conditions, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and widely experienced competitor. He’s basically been everywhere, doing what he loves.
How Long Has Ken Schrader Been Racing?
When you look at Ken Schrader’s career, the question of how long he’s been racing really stands out. He started competing in a serious way back in the 1960s. That means he has been involved in the sport for over six decades, which is a very, very long stretch of time for any professional athlete, let alone someone in the demanding world of motor sports.
His time in the NASCAR Cup Series alone spanned 29 years, during which he took part in 763 races. That’s a huge number of events, showing his consistent presence at the highest level of stock car racing. He stepped away from NASCAR in 2013, which, you know, might have seemed like a retirement from racing altogether for some people.
However, that was far from the case. Even at 68 years of age, Ken Schrader continues to run what is described as a full racing schedule. This means he’s still very much active, getting into a race car on a regular basis. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country, and he also takes part in other competitions on a partial basis. He just keeps on going, sort of defying expectations.
Where Has Ken Schrader Competed?
So, if you’re wondering where Ken Schrader has actually competed, the answer is, frankly, almost everywhere. The information tells us he has raced in 48 of the 50 United States. That’s a truly vast area to cover, suggesting he’s seen a wide range of different tracks, conditions, and local racing scenes. It really speaks to his willingness to compete wherever the opportunity arises.
Beyond the borders of the United States, he has also shown his skills in Canada. For instance, he pulled out a victory in the Pinty's Series on a Monday at Ohsweken Speedway in Canada. This shows his reach extends beyond just the American circuit, proving his ability to adapt to different racing environments and rulesets. He’s, you know, a truly international competitor in a way.
Specific tracks mentioned include Elko Speedway, where he was racing his Ken Schrader Racing ARCA car in 2013. He also made an appearance at Big Sky Speedway in Montana over a weekend, taking part in a doubleheader event. And, as a matter of fact, he bested the IMCA modified field there on a Friday evening, which is quite a feat.
Another location where he achieved a win was the Illinois State Fairgrounds. On a Sunday, August 22, he piloted his Federated Auto Parts UMP Sportsman No. 9 AR to a victory there. And, of course, his current activities involve racing on various local dirt and asphalt tracks all around the country. He’s basically a touring racer, always on the move.
Did Ken Schrader Win Any Big Races?
The question of whether Ken Schrader has taken home any significant wins is, frankly, answered with a resounding yes. His list of victories and titles is quite extensive. For example, on May 21, 2013, he made history by becoming the oldest ARCA race winner, a victory that took place at Elko Speedway. That’s a pretty special record to hold, given the age aspect.
During his visit to Montana, he competed in a doubleheader at Big Sky Speedway and, as I was saying, he came out on top in the IMCA modified field on a Friday evening. This shows his ability to win in different types of racing series and at various tracks. He’s, you know, someone who just finds a way to get it done.
Another notable win came in Canada, where the NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader secured a victory in the Pinty's Series. This happened on a Monday at Ohsweken Speedway, and what’s more, he started the race from the very front position, which is called the pole. Winning from the pole is always a strong performance, showing his skill right from the start.
His early career also saw some major successes. He was the USAC Silver Crown champion in 1982. He then followed that up with another big achievement in 1983, securing the USAC National Sprint Car title. These back-to-back championships in different open-wheel series really highlight his talent and adaptability in the earlier stages of his career.
More recently, on a Sunday, August 22, Ken Schrader piloted his Federated Auto Parts UMP Sportsman No. 9 AR to a victory at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. This just goes to show that even at age 68, he was still very much capable of reaching the top step of the podium. He’s basically a winner, through and through, even after all these years.
What Kinds of Vehicles Has Ken Schrader Driven?
If you’re curious about the different kinds of vehicles Ken Schrader has driven, the answer is, quite simply, a lot. Ever since he began racing competitively in the 1960s, he has shown a remarkable willingness and ability to get behind the wheel of just about anything with four wheels and an engine designed for speed. He’s, you know, truly a master of many different machines.
The list includes the big stock cars, which he drove extensively in NASCAR. He’s also raced late models, which are a very popular form of short track racing. Then there are the trucks, which have their own series and require a different approach to handling. He’s basically tried his hand at a wide variety of things.
Beyond those, he’s also driven midgets, which are small, open-wheel race cars, and sprint cars, which are known for their incredible speed and power, especially on dirt tracks. And, of course, he’s also competed in modified vehicles, which are often custom-built and can be quite unique in their design and handling characteristics.
Specific examples from his career include his Ken Schrader Racing ARCA car, which he raced at Elko Speedway. He also drove an IMCA modified vehicle when he competed and won at Big Sky Speedway in Montana. For his victory in Canada, he was in a Pinty's Series car. And, in Illinois, he piloted a Federated Auto Parts UMP Sportsman No. 9 AR. He’s really, you know, driven it all.
His championship wins also point to specific types of vehicles. He was the USAC Silver Crown champion, which involves a particular kind of open-wheel car. And then, he also secured the USAC National Sprint Car title, showing his command over those powerful machines. He’s just a person who can adapt to any kind of race vehicle, which is a pretty amazing skill to have.
Ken Schrader's Continued Presence in Racing
Ken Schrader’s story is very much one of ongoing passion for racing. Even at the age of 69, he shows absolutely no signs of wanting to slow down. This is quite remarkable in a sport that demands so much physically and mentally from its participants. He just keeps going, which, you know, is a testament to his enduring love for the competition.
To give you an idea of his continued activity, in 2024, he spent more than 100 days in a race car. That’s a huge amount of time for anyone, let alone someone who is nearing 70 years old. It means he’s not just making occasional appearances; he’s actively involved in a very significant number of events throughout the year. He’s basically living at the track.
Even at age 68, he was still running what is described as a full racing schedule. This means he’s not just picking and choosing a few races here and there; he’s maintaining a very active calendar of competition. This kind of dedication is, you know, pretty rare to see in someone who has already achieved so much in their chosen field.
Currently, he continues to race on local dirt and asphalt tracks all around the country. This shows his commitment to the grassroots level of the sport, where many racers get their start. He also takes part in other competitions on a partial basis, which just adds to his busy schedule. He’s truly a person who lives and breathes racing, even after all these years.
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