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Schrader says RCR opportunity ‘an honor’
By Kenny Bruce - Assistant Managing Editor
Saturday, May 17, 2008
CONCORD, N.C. – NASCAR Cup veteran Ken Schrader says it didn’t take him long to say yes when he was asked by Richard Childress to drive the team’s No. 33 Chevrolet during next weekend’s Coca-Cola 600.
Schrader, 52, will have to qualify the Richard Childress Racing entry on speed to make the 43-car cut since the team is only running selected events in 2008 and is not among the top 35 in owner points.
“It’s quite a honor to drive for Richard,” Schrader said during qualifying for Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “Getting that phone call was neat.”
RCR currently fields Sprint Cup Series cars for a trio of drivers – Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer. But the organization is running a limited schedule this year with a fourth team, which will compete fulltime in ’08 with sponsorship from General Mills.
“It just kind of happened,” Schrader said of the opportunity. “I was talking to him about running a Nationwide car at Nashville because I wanted to do something there. And that’s when he said ‘Why don’t you run my [Cup] car in the 600?’”
Schrader has four Cup wins – including one at Charlotte in 1989 – in 721 career starts. He began the 2008 season with BAM Racing, but after making a manufacturer switch from Dodge to Toyota, the team announced it was scaling back its schedule because of a lack of sponsorship.
Schrader qualified at Talladega for Haas CNC Racing, then missed making the field at Richmond while filling in for Dario Franchitti at Chip Ganassi Racing.
“The BAM car, they say they’re coming back, but I honestly don’t know,” Schrader said. “I’m not worried about it ... that’ the nice part about being 52.
“I ran our [ARCA] car at Rockingham and I run the dirt car when I can. I’m fine with that.”
Scott Wimmer failed to qualify the No. 33 Childress entry at Richmond in his lone Cup attempt this year.
Mentioned Drivers:
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2 responses to "Schrader says RCR opportunity ‘an honor’". Post a Comment.
Tim Edick said:
May 17, 2008 at 8:19 AMYou go Kenny! Your a class act even if you don't make the race. Childress once again showing he's a man of honor and class.
Thomas Mikulski said:
May 17, 2008 at 6:52 PMR-e-s-p-e-c-t !! Kenny, you deserve a chance in a class car and Richard sure proved that. Good luck and I'll be watching.