By MIKE HUGHES

Special to The Hays Daily News

NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader will be competing with the IMCA Modified division in racing action at RPM Speedway in Hays, KS, on Wednesday evening, August 5.

Schrader, who has over 20 years experience in the elite NASCAR division, competes in nearly 100 race events each year, running everything from asphalt superspeedways to dirt short tracks, in just about anything that has wheels.

Schrader's first championship came in 1982 when he won the USAC Silver Crown title, then followed that up the following year by winning the USAC Sprint Car division. Schrader then started his NASCAR career in 1984 with Elmo Langley, and since has driven for car owners Junie Donlavey, Rick Hendrick and Andy Petree. In the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Schrader has 640 starts with 4 wins to his credit, along with 64 top-five finishes and 181 top-ten finishes. Schrader also sat on the pole in 23 races and has over $25 million in earnings. Since Schrader Racing was formed in 1987, Ken has claimed 25 victories.

Schrader, a native of Fenton, MO, who now resides in Concord, NC, is also involved as a track promoter. Schrader is co-promoter for one of the 3/8-mile dirt tracks he grew up racing on, I-55 Speedway in Pevely, MO.

Schrader's appearance at RPM Speedway is being sponsored by S & W Supply, your area Federated Auto Parts Professionals. S & W Supply, who is celebrating their 75th Anniversary this year, is headquartered in Hays, with seven other stores in Northwest Kansas - Colby, Hill City, Plainville, LaCrosse, Osborne, Ness City and Russell. Besides automotive and heavy duty, S & W also serves the industrial, agricultural and oilfield markets.

The IMCA Modifieds will be joined on August 5 by 3 other IMCA-sanctioned divisions - the stock cars, hobby stocks and northern sport mods. The pit gate opens at 4:30 p.m. Pit passes are $25.

Grandstand admission prices will be $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5 to 12, with kids under 5 admitted free. The grandstands will open at 5:30 p.m., hot laps are at 6:30, and racing gets underway at 7:30.