Veteran NASCAR racer Ken Schrader has driven a lot of racecars during his career, but he'll be adding another element to his résumé next weekend, when he races a Mini Cooper S for RSR Motorsports in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race at Road America.
Schrader's racing career spans 27 years as a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, and he has also competed in ARCA, USAC, various NASCAR series and several dirt series. He is also a team owner and a popular TV commentator.
At Road America, Schrader will co-drive the No. 195 MINI with Dicky Riegel in the Street Tuner (ST) class. While this is the first time they have driven together, their partnership reaches back a decade. Riegel is Group President of Thor Industries, and Schrader can usually be found in one of the company's motor homes at the racetrack.
"We've been working with Dicky and Thor Motor Coach for many years," Schrader said. "As a family, we've owned and enjoyed many Thor motor homes. The challenges of road racing really test your skills as a driver, and I always welcome such a challenge."
Schrader's ties to RSR Motorsports also extend to team owner Randall Smalley, whose company Cruise America has long utilized Thor Motor Coaches. Smalley, Riegel and Schrader all met through Thor Motor Coach, but it was a weekend of racing modifieds together that really sealed the friendship.
"Ken absolutely loves being in a racecar – any racecar – and I know that he's relishing his opportunity to drive the MINI, a new car for him, at Road America, a new track for him," Riegel said. "There's no doubt that Ken will be fast, and will take to the MINI right away."
Riegel finished a career-best second last month at Lime Rock Park.