ARCA: Ken Schrader Wins Anderson ARCA War
11 May 1999
By Don RadebaughMany battles were fought, won and lost Sunday afternoon at Anderson Speedway, but it was Ken Schrader who won the war.
With a day off from the NASCAR Winston Cup world, the versatile Concord, North Carolina driver went to work with the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series on the tight mile high-banked Anderson bullring and it paid off with a thrilling victory in the Ed Martin Automotive Group 300.
Schrader threaded his way through 14 caution periods, one red flag incident and fought off a fast-charging Frank Kimmel in the final laps to earn his sixth career ARCA victory. "I had a riot out there today," said Schrader in victory lane. "I knew if we beat Kimmel off pit road during that caution, we could probably win this thing. We both took right sides only so I thought wed be pretty evenly matched, but when that last caution came out, and Frank came down for left side tires, I thought we were history. Fortunately, he raced us clean and we were lucky enough to hold him off. But we had a ball out there. I definitely want to come back next year." Schrader, in his own Bobs Candies-Oakwood Homes-QuicShine Chevy, beat Kimmel to the final stripe by a half car length with Blaise Alexander and Bob Schacht one lap down in third and fourth respectively, and Bob Strait completing the top five.
With less than 10 laps remaining and the caution flag waving, Schrader and Kimmel brought the fans to their feet when both drivers charged onto pit road for badly needed right side tires. Back under green with Schrader leading, Kimmel continued to pressure the leader until Mark Gibson spun off turn four bringing out the final caution of the day. Kimmel again darted onto pit road, this time for left side tires, while Schrader elected to stay out. In the final two laps, and with four fresh tires, the defending ARCA champion raced inches away from Schraders back bumper before making his move on the final lap. Kimmel drove his Advance Auto Parts Chevy to the inside of Schrader off the final corner but fell short by less than a car length at the checkered flag.
Tight quarters at Anderson took its toll on equipment and few cars, if any, escaped unscathed. The most frightening incident of the afternoon happened when Tim Bainey flipped in turn one after locking horns with fellow Pennsylvania driver Andy Belmont. Neither driver was injured.
Polesitter Bill Baird led at the onset for 13 laps in his Saturn Machine-Spee Dee Pop Chevy before Gibson raced his JaniKing Ford to the point for the next 99 circuits. Kimmel showed the way from lap 113 through 177 before Schrader took command for good and led the final 127 laps.
Joe Cooksey finished sixth ahead of Brad Mueller, whose seventh place finish proved to be his career-best run in only his second ARCA start. Gibson, Ron Cox and Wes Russell completed the top ten.
Cox was awarded the STP-Prestone Highest Finishing Rookie honors and continues to lead the ARCA rookie points chase.
Series Point Leaders: Bill Baird 870, Frank Kimmel 780, Bob Strait 755, Bobby Gerhart 745, Joe Cooksey 675, Mark Gibson 660, Bob Schacht 660, Dill Whittymore 605, Cavin Councilor 545, Ron Cox 545.
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