Schrader Puts On A Show At Buxton

An excited crowd packed the stands at South Buxton Raceway Saturday for a chance to watch Nascar legend Ken Schrader turn some laps in his #9 Modified car.

“We started out in a little hobby car, we got some good breaks, we’re just having some fun and going all over,” Schrader said of his 40+ years of racing.

Schrader, who has driven every type of race car, made his Nascar debut in 1984 running his first race in Nashville, qualifying 27th and finishing 19th in a thirty car field. After a twenty nine year race career with Nascar, Schrader announced that after the 2013 season finished he would retire. He described it as “not retirement, but there were just no plans to come back”. He planned instead to focus on his dirt racing career, racing the smaller tracks which he calls “the backbone of the sport”. Beginning his weekend in South Western Ontario at Ohsweken Speedway Friday night. He battled local South Buxton Driver Joel Dick for first place. The battle continued Saturday night at our home track as Dick and Schrader put on an incredible nail biting show for the fans.

The Schinkels Gourmet Meat Modified race brought fans of all ages quickly to their feet. As soon as the green flag waved Schrader drove with intent as he attempted to collect a second feature win of the weekend. It wasn’t long before Joel Dick #09 and Schrader were battling each other for first place, just as they had the night before.

“Last night was awesome, battling with Kenny Schrader, just to race with a guy like that,” Dick said. Dick, who finished second at Ohsweken Friday night, drove hard and collected his second feature win of the season. Schrader placed second and Brian Speelman #22s finished third.

Patience paid off for Chris Ross #18r during the West Side Performance Plus Late Model Feature. Ross, who began the race in 6th place quickly moved towards the front of the pack to battle hard with Dale Glassford #60 and Jason Haskell #RH94. Staying close behind, as the two battled for first, Ross waited for the right moment for a quick maneuver into first. “I just focused on hitting my marks when they ran side by side. When Dale moved down I thought, well I’ll only get one shot at this”. It was a quick outside pass on Glassford that gave Ross his second feature win of the season. He thanked his family, crew and fans. Glassford finished second and Jason Haskell third.

The Great Canadian Mini Mod Feature was an exciting race. After racing the previous Late Model Feature and finishing 7th Tim Mackenzie #81 immediately climbed into his Mini Mod. It was a quick turn one pass that gave him the Feature Win he’s been working hard for all year. Mackenzie celebrated in Victory Lane with his excited wife Kathy and his mother to whom he dedicated the win. Before leaving the track to celebrate, he thanked his sponsors, family and his fans. Marshall Hereygers #31 finished second and Larry Hart #7 finished third.

It was a battle of the Shaw’s during the Auto Tech Sales and Service Thunderstock Feature. Steve Shaw Jr #96JR and Steve Shaw Sr #96 put on an amazing show for the fans. The father / son show was a sight to be seen. The fans cheered when in turn three the pair, who had been racing side by side, quickly split to either ends of the track in an amazing show to pass Morgan Dale #00 and Chuck Stuart #9. “I just hoped for the best” Shaw Jr said. He thanked all of his fans, family and sponsors for their support. Shaw Sr #96 finished second and Cody Vandewynckel #43 finished third.

Join us next Saturday as the Crate Sprints will be at South Buxton to put on a show for their fans. Racing starts at 6:30, see you there !