Ken Schrader Earns SIM Factory Pole At Salem

[PressRoom-GFN]

SALEM, Ind. (April 12, 2008) – ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran Ken Schrader, driving his own No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Dodge, earned the SIM Factory Pole Award Saturday at Salem Speedway for Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts.

The Fenton, Mo., native was the only driver to crack the 16-second barrier with a time of 16.909 seconds, 118.162 mph. It was Schrader’s 14th career series pole award in his 47th attempt.

“I sort of wanted that one,” Schrader said. “Real happy with the car. If we can keep the fenders on it, we should be in good shape tomorrow. Tough field. I can’t believe the level of competition in this series. There’s a lot of really, really good cars here.”

Matt Carter, in Larry Clement’s No. 46 Stine Seed-Hantz Group-Pork Ford, qualified second with a lap of 117.488 mph

“We tested here last Sunday and we were pretty good, but the car changed a lot during practice today,” said Carter, who was fastest early in the SIM Factory qualifying session before Schrader eclipsed his time. “We changed some things in between practice and qualifying, including adjusting the wedge, moving the rear end and changing the sway bar.

“I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the pole, but I messed up a little bit in turns three and four. Starting on the outside front row for tomorrow’s race is good for the guys and gives them some confidence. I’m a little upset that we missed the pole, but it doesn’t hurt so bad knowing that we lost it to a racer like Schrader. He’s been successful in a lot of different kinds of cars.”

Defending Salem race winner Justin Allgaier, in the No. 16 AG Tech-Hoosier Midwest-Simpson Safety Chevrolet, qualified third.

“I’m glad to come out of this qualifying session at Salem with a decent starting spot and a great car for tomorrow’s race,” Allgaier said. “I thought the new short-track radial tires were great. We just made two conservative laps to make sure we got a good starting spot for Sunday.”

Tom Hessert III, in Jennifer Belmont’s No. 1 Maaco Auto Painting Ford, qualified fourth in his career-first series attempt at Salem with a speed of 116.835 mph.

Formula One veteran Scott Speed, in the No. 2 Eddie Sharp Racing Red Bull Toyota, completed the top-five qualifiers with a lap of 116.678 mph.

Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts is slated for 2:15 p.m. EDT. There is also an on-track autograph session preceding the race from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm.

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