Schrader Scores Top-10 Finish at Texas
Ken Schrader
No. 18 Fastenal Dodge Ram Race Recap
The Sam’s Town 400
Texas Motor Speedway

Originally, the veteran was scheduled to race at Pocono Raceway with the Nextel Cup Series, but a last minute change in plans allowed him to climb behind the wheel of the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge.

Then on Thursday, after posting the sixth fastest time in the first practice, Schrader tabbed the wall on his first lap out in the second practice. The truck sustained minor rear end damage and the entire Bobby Hamilton Racing organization went to work to repair the damage. The team was unable to make it back out before the second practice was over, but proved everything was okay with a 12th place qualifying effort.

The Fastenal Dodge Texas Race Recap

Schrader qualified 12th for the ninth race of the season Thursday afternoon after sustaining minor damage in a practice crash earlier in the day.

It didn’t take Schrader long to make his way toward the front. He was running 10th when the first caution waved on lap nine for an accident on the backstretch. “Needs to be a little tighter,” said Schrader during the caution. He restarted in the 10th position on lap 16.

Two laps later the caution waved again when another competitor’s engine expired. Crew Chief Jeff White made the call to bring the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge down pit road for two tires, fuel, track bar and a wedge adjustment to tighten the truck up.

Over the next 40 laps Schrader continued to battle the loose condition, but was extremely fast on the race track. He was setting up and passing a competitor every two to three laps. He gained eight spots in the 40 lap green flag run.

The fourth caution came out for wreck on the backstretch on lap 78. “I need something to help me with this loose truck,” said Schrader as he was coming into the pits. White made the call for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment and the Fastenal Racing Team performed a lighting fast pit stop to get Schrader back out in the eighth spot.

By lap 125 Schrader continued to gain spots on the race track and at times was running laps as fast as the leader. “It’s not bad, but it still needs another track bar adjustment,” said Schrader.

A long green flag run forced Schrader to pit road for two tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment on lap 149. The pit stop put the No. 18 Dodge and all but seven other competitors who pitted as well one lap down to the leader. Unfortunately, one lap before leader Todd Bodine was about to come to pit road the caution came out on lap 156. Since the race was within its closing laps, Schrader was not eligible to get the lucky dog position which would have put him back on the lead lap. The race restarted and Schrader was seventh.

The final caution waved two laps after the restart on lap 165 for an accident in turn one. Schrader finished the event in the eighth position. It was the team’s second top-10 finish in three races.

Bodine won the Sam’s Town 400 before an estimated crowd of 52,000. Mike Skinner, Rick Crawford, Ron Hornaday Jr. and David Starr rounded out the top five finishers. The next event for the NCTS will be at Michigan International Speedway on June 16, 2007 with Schrader driving the Fastenal Dodge.