Concord, North Carolina (August 24, 2016) – Ken Schrader will join Venturini Motorsports, piloting the team’s No.55 Federated Auto Parts Toyota Camry on Labor Day weekend at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds’ ‘Magic Mile’ for the General Tire GRABBER 100 on Sunday, September 4.
“DuQuoin is one of my favorite places all-time,” said Schrader. “I’ve been going there a lot longer than I’ve been racing so I’ve got a lot of great memories from that place. It’s always a special place for us to run and this year is no different, especially running with the Venturinis and the series running under the lights for the first time on dirt. It’s going to be one heck of a show.”
Schrader, the oldest winner in series history aims for his 19th ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards victory and fourth on the DuQuoin dirt. Schrader, also a series team owner (No.52 with driver Matt Kurzejewski), will compete in his second consecutive race behind the wheel driving under a team banner other than his own – Schrader Racing. The Fenton, Missouri native finished fifth at Springfield driving for Cunningham Motorsports.
“Talk about two exciting dirt races! Last week I got to drive the 22 car and now to get to drive for the Venturini bunch is really big…two of the top teams in the series back-to-back.”
Already a fan favorite everywhere he goes, Schrader’s upcoming DuQuoin appearance will draw huge support from the Southern Illinois crowd. In 14 career ARCA starts on the DuQuoin dirt, Schrader has tallied an impressive stat sheet, earning three wins, 12 top-5 and 13 top-10 finishes.
Schrader became the oldest ARCA winner in history at 59 with his win at Salem Speedway in April of 2015, surpassing the same mark he set by winning at 58 at DuQuoin in 2013. He has 81 career starts since 1981 with 18 career wins, including Springfield in 1998. He also has 20 pole awards, 51 top-five finishes, 64 top-10s and has led 2,732 laps in 43 races. He’s also made more than 700 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts with wins at Charlotte, Dover, Talladega and Atlanta. Two-time Bud Shootout winner at Daytona. Three-time Daytona 500 polesitter. Top-10 in Sprint Cup points eight times. USAC Silver Crown Series champion ’82. USAC Sprint Car champion ’83.
Raceday Schedule
Practice for the September 4 General Tire Grabber 100 is scheduled from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell following at 5:30 p.m. The 63rd General Tire GRABBER 100 will be run under the lights at 8:00 p.m. All times central, local time.
Media Coverage
The race will be tape-delayed on the American Sports Network. It will be broadcasted on Wednesday, September 21st at 7:00pm ET.
The race will feature live timing and scoring and live chat for all on-track activity at ARCAracing.com, as well as live flag-to-flag audio race coverage.
ABOUT VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS:
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30-years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports. Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Erik Jones, William Byron, Justin Allgaier, Alex Bowman, Brian Scott, Ryan Blaney, Brennan Poole, Daniel Suarez, Brandon Jones and John Wes Townley. Over the years the Venturini name has become synonymous with modern-day racing in America. In 2012, the Venturini family was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and now find themselves enshrined with such sports icons as Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda and Rocky Marciano.