KEN SCHRADER

AUTO RACING

Position: Driver
Born: May 29, 1955; St. Louis, Missouri

By Bob Underwood

Ken Schrader is an American professional racing driver born on May 29, 1955, in Fenton, Missouri. Known for his versatility, Schrader’s career spans over five decades and includes significant accomplishments in NASCAR, ARCA, and dirt track racing.

The Parkway West alum grew up in a racing family and began his racing career in a 1964 Chevy hobby car that he and his father and brother put together at a family repair shop in Valley Park, MO. Ken raced that car briefly after his sixteenth birthday before moving on to the local stock car circuit.

In 1971, Ken was the sportsmen’s champion at the Lake Hill Speedway in Valley Park. That same year he moved up to sprint cars, racing in various locations across the Midwest. In 1980, he started racing in the United States Auto Club Stock Car Division and was the series rookie of the year.

In 1982, he became the USAC Silver Crown Series Champion, was named the “Most Popular Driver” in that division, and received the Jimmy Carruthers Memorial Award, which is given to the USAC driver who displays the most “determination and spirit” during the season. He followed that up as the USAC Thunder & Lightning Sprint Car Series Champion in 1983.

Ken debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series in 1984 and was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year in 1985. He joined Hendrick Motorsports in 1988, where he secured four Cup Series wins and 23 poles. Ken’s first NASCAR victory came at Talladega Superspeedway in July 1988. He won after starting seventh and perfectly executing a last-lap pass for the victory.

Ken also won two races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and one in the Camping World Truck Series. Also notable: he won the Busch Clash in 1989 and 1990 and the Daytona 500 pole in 1989, 1990, and 1991.

Beyond NASCAR, Schrader has been highly successful in the ARCA Racing Series and continues to race in various dirt track events. He owns and operates the Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Missouri.

During the 1990s and the early part of the 2000s, Ken was running as many as one hundred races a year among many types of racing circuits including NASCAR’s national and regional touring series, ARCA, short track, and dirt track. Many have said that Ken will race anything, anywhere, against anyone, at any time.

Respected for his driving skills and friendly personality, Schrader remains a prominent figure in motorsports, contributing significantly to grassroots racing.
Ken Schrader’s enduring presence in the racing world and achievements across multiple racing series have cemented his legacy as one of the most respected and beloved figures in American motorsports.