The lineup for the season opening Camping World SRX Series event at Stafford Speedway just got a massive crowd favorite added to it.
SRX Series officials announced Friday that stock car and dirt car racing legend Ken Schrader will run full-time with the series in 2023.
Schrader made one start with the SRX Series in 2022 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri, where he finished third. He has worked with the series behind the scenes since its debut in 2021.
“I am definitely very excited about running the complete SRX schedule this season,” Schrader said in a release. “After being involved the last two seasons it amazes me how competitive the series is, how nice the facilities we go to are, and how enthusiastic the large crowds are that come out for the SRX events,” said Schrader. “Thursday Night Thunder live on ESPN brings the sport back in time, and I’m glad to be part of it.”
Said SRX CEO Don Hawk: “This is an announcement that just feels right. Having Ken in an SRX car full-time is an ode to short track and grassroots racing in America. Kenny will be a threat to win at every racetrack – both pavement and dirt – and we are so blessed to have his talent and commitment to SRX as we enter our 3rd year. Kenny’s been here from day one of this series and he deserves the opportunity to race full-time as Thursday Night Thunder returns to ESPN.”
The 2023 SRX Series season opens July 13 at Stafford Speedway. It marks the third consecutive year the series will run at Stafford. The series will run for six consecutive Thursday nights, with all events broadcast on ESPN. The division is making its first appearance at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT on July 20. Other venues include Motor Mile Speedway in Fairlawn, Va (July 27), Berlin Raceway in Grand Rapids, Mich. (Aug. 3), Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Oh. (Aug. 10) and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. (Aug. 17).
Schrader joins a full-time lineup that already includes Marco Andretti, Hallie Deegan, Brad Keselowski, Bobby Labonte, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart and Paul Tracy. Ryan Hunter-Reay, who was originally slated to run the series full-time, is out of the full-time lineup after landing an IndyCar Series ride.
The Stafford event lineup with also include part-time SRX drivers Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick and Tony Kanaan. The Thunder Road event lineup will include part-time SRX Series drivers Kanaan, Daniel Suarez and Greg Biffle.
… cool, I dig Kenny, great wheelman, best of luck to him and the SRX event…
Now, I am curious though, so where’s all that chatter about, ya know… aging racers not knowing their limitations… with the possibility having medical issues…. with all those morbid headlines..
Is Kenny just and “old fool”? Are fans like me just being selfish, is the SRX show not thinking about everyones safety in adding an aging racer like Kenny (he’s 68 folks)… Stay tuned..
Goldy, looking at Kenny’s schedule, he has 47 races scheduled for 2023, not counting SRX shows yet. It’s not like he’s been hanging on the couch watching “Golden Girls” reruns.
I guess that comment was directed at me for my observations in connection with Flemke’s run in the Sizzler.
First let me say I’m rather honored that after a decent amount of time what I wrote could still be so impactful it crops up this far down the road.
To be fair I did a lot of digging and did not just say there’s no fool like an old fool I added stats showing older driver cardiac events while competing in races. It was significant.
With regard to the SRX series that was started as a series of older superstars of racing. Professionals that have the best support system including doctors that give them the best advice on what may or may not put them at risk. I don’t know for sure but would bet the SRX series has some kind of contractual requirements to get some kind of clearance in order to compete in the series.
All that has nothing to do with some working stiff that is past his prime and decides to try to recapture a bit of his glory days. Competing against people that are anywhere from late teens to 40ish while they’re in their 60’s.
There’s the risk factor and there is the competitive factor. There’s over whelming evidence that drivers in their 60’s are simply not competitive. Age does matter, we all know it and that’s why we selfishly root for geezers that we perceive are beating the odds.
There are exceptions to every rule. Clearly Kenny Schrader is one of them. Quite remarkable actually but I don’t believe it’s fair to point to exceptions and imply the number of in race cardiac events I mentioned previously are not relevant. Nor is there any equivalency between Schrader who has been active in racing with the guy that has been retired and climbs into the drivers seat just to see if he can still do it.
Steve,
2/3 of my post is me being a facetious pain in the rear.. I’m all on board with Kenny and his abilities, even at 68…
The last time a 68 year old raced at Stafford there was hearty debate summarized in my post; I was really trying to summon the kraken, aka Doug, as he has interesting insight I was hoping to hear.. (and that is not me being facetious)…