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Put the pedal to the metal in ESPN's Fantasy Racing 2002. Get your teams today! |
Friday, February 8 Schrader needs better cars, luck ESPN.com We asked our users whether Ken Schrader could recapture some magic and compete for a top-15 or better finish this year or would his downward slide continue, and we got plenty of responses. Here are some of the comments:
NASCAR is lucky to have drivers like Ken Schrader. He doesn't care what night it is, he is somewhere in the country racing. Whether it be his M&M Pontiac or his Federated Auto Parts Truck or his Dirt Late Model, Ken Schrader is a racer, and brings the local short tracks, what many seem to have lost years ago -- the big time racing start taking on the local hotshot.
Kenny's season should have gotten off to a great start with a great start in the Daytona 500, which ended in tragedy. I think it really shook him up. It should have been a great year. He added Johnny Benson as a teammate, and I thought that two-car combination would really take off and be one of the most solid one-two punches in Winston Cup. Hopefully Kenny can return to his winning ways soon. He is one of the friendliest drivers in the garage area, and always has a story and a laugh to share.
Kenny is a very consistent driver and he'll be as good as his equipment. If you take a average driver and put him in the best car, he will do outstanding.If you take the best driver and put him a bad car, he will finish last. Doug Moser St. Louis
Ken Schrader is a journeyman racer. He will continue to finish as well as his equipment will allow. Just saw him run his Dirt Late Model in Arizona during the 2nd weekend of the 2002 "Early Thaw" event at Central Arizona Raceway where he finished 10th against the top Dirt Late Model racers in the nation. The following weekend he won the NASCAR Southwest Tour event at Phoenix International. He can run with the best of them in any type car, dirt or pavement. Not too many have that kind of desire and talent. Ron Bennett Eugene, Ore.
He's been my guy since he was driving the Folger's car for Rick Hendrick. He's a great driver. He can drive anything with four wheels and be competitive. He's got a great sense of humor. Ken's problem is that he has bad luck. I mean BAD. This guy can't get a break. Maybe it's poor preparation of his equipment. His team has let him down on some pit stops. His cars never seem to be very adjustable. Maybe some of that blame would have to go to Kenny. I don't know. I feel like a Cubs fan. Anyhow, I wish him the best at Daytona. If he can get his cars running like Johnny Benson's, he might have a good shot at a win. Gregg Lanternier Hampstead, N.H.
Schrader has had some bad misfortune and needs to get into a top flight program. Would have loved to see him in the Childress No. 30 car instead of Jeff Green. Also, he may need to curb his other racing interests or become a full time car owner. Lee Skipper Greenwood, S.C.
Ken Schrader is a racer. He not only will display a renewed sense of competition to his team but they will contend for the win in at least a few races this year. Never look past anyone in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. As the PGA says, "These guys are good!" We're pulling for Mr. Schrader to be at least a threat this year. With a pit crew of little, round red, yellow, blue and green dudes, you can't help but be good! Matt Muldoon Oswego, N.Y.
There hasn't been anything consistent about Kenny since '97. That is a major reason he has not been very successful. This is his third crew chief in five years. He changed teams and makes of car. I'm not making excuses but all you hear nowadays is "chemistry" within your team. I feel that you are right when you say he may not be driving if he doesn't produce. That and the fact that his team along with the No. 10 will be working out of the same shop will inspire Kenny to drive harder and finish in the top 15 in points with one win, three top-5 and 13 top-10 finishes. He showed signs of turning the corner last year when the hired a new shock man. Kenny will end the drought at Charlotte or Darlington. Joe Roth Clewiston, Fla.
The worst career move ever was when Schrader left Hendrick. I think he still has the skill to get the job done, but he has been in second rate equipment since he left Hendrick. Vickie Hennigan Birmingham, Ala.
Kenny can do it. I wish he would concentrate solely on Cup, and put to bed the idea that he is past his prime. He has the talent, look at his success in other series ... the man can drive! I would like to see MB2/MBV switch to another manufacturer, but it is too late for this season. John Ferrante Suwanee, Ga.
He may be on the fast road to being a "Has Been" but Schrader certainly has one more Superspeedway win in him. Franklin Giebel Chicago
In my eyes, Ken Schrader is one if not the greatest drivers I have met. Ken takes time no matter what he is doing to say hello or just to talk to his fans. He gets involved in a lot of behind the scene things that not everyone sees. Ken is a caring person as well as a great driver. He doesn't get the spotlight that a lot of other drivers get but that doesn't get him down. He just goes out there each week and does what he does best -- drive. Richard Willey Edison, N.J.
I think 2002 may be one of the worst years for the Grand Prix teams are Pontiac prepares for the new body in 2003, the teams will be a little wrapped up there. However, MBV/MB2 do use Hendrick motors, so they have the horsepower, but I believe that all Pontiac teams, except Joe Gibbs teams will struggle this season. Jeremy Belko Muncie, Ind.
I think Schrader has a legitimate shot at improving his final standing this season. He finally has a new crew chief who has shown some brains. You also have to consider that he and Benson are sharing their garage now and the teams are, for the first time, truly working together. I think both teams have good chances to be in a position to win some races. Benson could get his first ever, and M&M Mars could potentially see their car in Victory Lane for the first time ever. (No WC car sponsored by M&M Mars, including the Skittles, Snickers, Uncle Ben's and Pedigree rides, has ever seen a win) If the pit crew does a better job this year, Schrader will see several top 5's and I honestly think he can win at least one race.
But, this is definitely the year that will show if it was the team hurting the driver, or the driver hurting the team!
He needs to concentrate more on the Winston Cup races instead of trying to run in all kinds of racing. I know, racers love to race. But it stands to reason that you look better if you are good at one type. Even Mark Martin gave up the Busch series. But to give Ken a break, he did have a crew chief change in the middle of the season. I think they will do much better this year. Michelle Sebastian Covington, Ky.
Seems the competition gets tougher and tougher with all the new young guns coming up, but win loose or draw, Kenny is absolutely the nicest and best representative of the sport and specifically his team and sponsor, so talk of him being fired is ridiculous. I think he will finish higher in the points and maybe contend for a win or two -- he's really good on restrictor plate tracks ... If the Pontiac can be competitive. Simply put, given good equipment Kenny will contend and he's the greatest guy out there -- just ask anybody -- you cant find anybody that doesn't like him Steve Snyder Petersburg, Ind.
Ken Schrader has to get back to reality. He acts like a fat cat and just drives that way. He seems content to race, period, without concern for his fans or his place in WC competition. He races four or five times a week and does very well when the competition is less experienced and less aggressive. Maybe he should stick to trucks, ARCA and Busch. I like the guy and all he stand for, but, like Mark Martin, there seem to be other priorities he is cares about these days. I also think a candy sponsor is just the right thing for him. Bob Morris Warwick, R.I. |
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