Ken Schrader has made 762 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts in his career but none of those starts will be remembered like his 763rd start at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. That’s because on Sunday Schrader will fire his engine for the final time on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit bringing an end to a long but impacting career on the Sprint Cup Series tour.
Schrader made his first start back in 1984 driving a Ford for Elmo Langley at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Schrader finished in the 19th position. The Fenton, Missouri native was one of the first drivers from the mid-west to drive in the Sprint Cup Series. He and long time friend Rusty Wallace. Schrader would make a mark during his first five starts in the 84 season and would catch the eye of long time car owner Junie Donlavey, who was known for giving talented drivers opportunities in NASCAR. After three strong years with Junie Donlavey Schrader caught the eye of Rick Hendrick where he had some of his best seasons in the Cup Series. He won his first race at Talladega Superspeedway in July of 1988 and finished fifth in the points that season. He would be at Hendrick Motorsports from 1988 until the end of the 1995 season winning at Charlotte in 1989 and Atlanta and Dover in 1991. His high marks included three consecutive poles in the Daytona 500 and a near victory in the 1989 running losing to teammate Darrell Waltrip. He finished a career best fourth in the 1994 standings.
From 1996 to 1999 Schrader ran for Andy Petree Racing and did well in his four years with the organization recording four top 15 point finishes with the team. From 2000 to 2002 Schrader ran for MB2 Motorsports driving the #36 Pontiac for the team. He signed a three year deal to run for BAM Racing from 2003 to 2005 before moving to the Wood Brothers in 2006 and 2007 before being replaced by Bill Elliott and others in 2008. Since then Schrader’s rides have been scarce but he has run the last two seasons for FAS Lane Racing’s #32 Ford, the same car he will race on Sunday.
Throughout the years Schrader’s personality has been something race fans have loved. He has always had a smile on his face no matter what the situation and has been a gracious competitor for many years. There has hardly been a time in this sport when Schrader had a problem with another driver or confronted anyone on the course. Schrader has always been a class act on and off the track. He was always a fixture in the exhibition Budweiser Shootout at Daytona in February. Schrader’s personality always made the Budweiser Shootout lineup show a fun show to watch and he was always an enjoyment to watch in the race.
Though Schrader’s Cup career is coming to an end it is doubtful his racing career is coming to an end. Even when Schrader was running the Cup Series full time Schrader would run close to 100 races a year just to keep himself busy because he loves racing. That is something a race fan can appreciate. It doesn’t really matter what kind of track you can bet Ken Schrader is looking to race at it. His love for the sport of Auto Racing has made him a fan favorite over the years and he will be missed on the track in the Cup Series. He may not run anymore Cup races after Sunday but you can be sure Schrader will still be racing somewhere so don’t be surprised if he shows up to your local track unannounced. He just may do that.
It will be hard knowing that Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be Schrader’s last on the Sprint Cup tour. He has always brought a positive attitude and a good feel to the sport of NASCAR and that is something that will be missed forever.
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