NASCAR Featherlite Southwestern Tour: Skoal Bandit Racing Copper World Classic
2 February 1998
PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Ken Schrader knew he had a problem, but he adopted a very simple philosophy and won the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour race at Phoenix International Raceway. Schrader was leading the NFSWT portion of the Skoal Bandit Racing Copper World Classic when he noticed his Chevrolet was starting to overheat. He decided to just keep going and eventually won the race. ``Don't know,'' he said when asked how much water the engine had left at the end of the race. ``Didn't care.'' Schrader, the Winston Cup veteran, beat NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series star Rick Carelli by .8 of a second. John Metcalf, Aurora, Colo., finished third, Ron Eaton, Tacoma, Wash., was fourth and M.K. Kanke, Granada Hils, Calif., came home fifth. The first four finishers drove Chevrolets, while Kanke drove a Pontiac. Schrader won $11,906 while winning his fourth career NFSWT race. He drove the same Chevrolet Scott Hansen drove to victory in an NFSWT event at PIR in October. ``I had Scott Hansen for a crew chief today,'' Schrader said. ``That was the difference. He just knows these little cars.'' Carelli said, ``Kenny was just better than me today. I was just way too loose.'' Schrader left every lap after passing pole sitter Craig Raudman on the 14th circuit of the 50-lap race. Raudman eventually finished 33rd after crashing on the 29th lap. Two caution periods slowed the field during the remaining portion of the race, but neither Carelli nor Metcalf could capitalize. ``Maybe, on a long run, I might have been able to do something,'' said Metcalf. ``I'm just happy to be able to run behind a Winston Cup guy and a NASCAR Craftsman Truck guy.'' Kanke's finish gave him the NFSWT points lead two races into the season. He has 325 counters. Ron Eaton, the NASCAR REB-CO Northwest Tour veteran, is second with 306. Metcalf is third with 292. Skoal Bandit Racing Copper World Classic NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour Phoenix International Raceway, Feb. 1, 1998 1. (2) Ken Schrader, Fenton, MO, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50, 126.939 mph 2. (7) Rick Carelli, Arvada, CO, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 3. (4) John Metcalf, Aurora, Colo. , Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 4. (14) Ron Eaton, Tacoma, WA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 5. (3) M.K. Kanke, Granada Hills, CA, Pontiac Grand Prix, 50 6. (8) Kurt Busch, Las Vegas, Nev., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 7. (9) Steve Portenga, Sparks, Nev., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 8. (6) John Dillon, Boise, ID, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 9. (20) Jim Inglebright, Fairfield, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 10. (10) Frank Adamo, Bakersfield, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 11. (22) Matt Crafton, Tulare, CA , Ford Thunderbird, 50 12. (12) Mark Reed, Bakersfield CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 13. (19) Freddie Query, Mooresville, NC, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 14. (11) Tony Toste, Pismo Beach, CA , Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 15. (16) Darrell La Moure, Glendale, AZ, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 16. (5) Kenny Shepherd, Merced, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 17. (27) Michael Alsup, Bakersfield, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 18. (15) Sean Monroe, Malibu, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 19. (18) Dennis Dyer, Palmdale, CA, Pontiac Grand Prix, 50 20. (17) Rick Allison, Mesa, WA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 21. (28) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, CO, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 22. (24) Jason Fensler, Wilton, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 23. (36) Mike Brumit, Aromas, CA, Pontiac Grand Prix, 50 24. (35) Matt Hagans, Indianapolis, IN, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 25. (34) Keith Spangler, Chatsworth, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 26. (25) Frank Maronski Jr, Quartz Hill, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 27. (21) Aaron Newport, Benton City, WA, Pontiac Grand Prix, 50 28. (59) Bryan Germone, Windsor, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 29. (41) Tom Hubert, Mooresville, NC, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 50 30. (13) Doug McCoun, Prunedale, CA, Pontiac Grand Prix, 47 31. (44) Bill Lawrence, Canada, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 47 32. (31) Butch Gilliland, Anaheim, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 44, engine 33. (1) Craig Raudman, Redding, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 40, accident 34. (40) Pat Patterson, Toluca Lake, CA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 29, rear end 35. (37) Bob Lyon, Agua Dulce, CA, Pontiac Grand Prix, 26, suspention 36. (26) Ray Skillman, Greenwood, IN, Ford Thunderbird, 24, engine 37. (30) Patrick Lawler, Colleyville, TX, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 11,engine 38. (23) Dennis Schlundt, Fresno CA , Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 9, accident 39. (32) Mike Snow, Littleton, CO, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 2, accident 40. (29) John O'Neal, Kansas City, KS, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 0, withdrawn Margin of victory: .8 seconds Average speed: 126.939 mph Cautions: 0 laps Lead changes: One among two drivers (Raudman 1-14, Schrader 15-50). Bud Pole Award: Raudman, 27.546 seconds (130.690 mph)