Schrader Shines Again on DuQuoin’s “Magic Mile” Dirt
DuQUOIN IL - Defending race winner Ken Schrader, in the Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet, earned his 15th career ARCA RE/MAX Series victory Monday at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, winning the 55th Southern Illinois 100 in front of 8,000 fans.
Schrader, after chasing Josh Wise for 20 laps, slid underneath the former leader on the 85th lap of the 100-lap race and kept the field at bay to earn his second consecutive victory at the historic fairgrounds oval.
“I just love coming here but boy I hate what we put our boys through in the shop,” said Schrader in victory lane. “They put together three cars for this race, and they all ran good.”
“I got to thank them and Federated for sticking with us. I was really worried about the track early, not early in the race but early in the day. I didn’t think it was going to widen out at all. And I should be kicked for doubting Bob Sargent (track promoter). Once the modifieds ran, the track was awesome. There was no dust and side-by-side racing; you just couldn’t ask for any more.”
Josh Richards, with his boss Tony Stewart spotting, finished third in the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in his RE/MAX Series debut.”It was definitely exciting,” said Richards. “I’d like to thank Tony Stewart for bringing this deal together for me. It’s a great opportunity and I was a little nervous getting here but once we got through practice, I was used to the dirt feel so it was pretty good. And then at the end we were a little tight from the center out and I had to be careful. It was a great run for us and I’m glad with all the guys on the team for helping me out. It was good to get a top-three finish the first time out. These cars are a lot slower than what I’m used to-you know, reacting and everything. I just had to get used to slowing myself down and it took a few laps to do that.”
Schrader’s strategy included just one stop for fuel and tires on lap 20. From there, the Fenton, Missouri favorite bided his time as he maneuvered his way forward.
Source: ARCA