NASCAR Team Owners Handed Grim Daytona 500 Warning by Ken Schrader

Few names carry as much weight in NASCAR as Ken Schrader, a legendary driver known for his impressive career and intense rivalries, particularly with the iconic Dale Earnhardt. As fans gear up for the exhilarating Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, Schrader has stirred excitement with an insightful take on the racing atmosphere. Drawing from his extensive experience, Schrader reflects on the challenges drivers face navigating the high-stakes landscape of competitive racing.

His remarks echo the spirited, often unpredictable nature of the sport, where the thrill of the race often comes with the cost of a few wrinkled fenders and, at times, a hefty toll on the cars. Join us as we dive into Schrader’s unique perspective on this thrilling event, along with a nod to fellow driver Tony Stewart’s infamous quips about the all-too-common wrecks that define the excitement of NASCAR.

Ken Schrader’s thinks NASCAR owners are going to see a lot of damage to their cars

In a recent conversation with Kenny Wallace on Dale Jr. Download, Ken Schrader said he will have his eyes at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, Bowman Gray Stadium, which he said will be an exciting place to be packed. Kenny Wallace noted how Kenny Schrader, in a fun way, said it’s gonna be called the cookout crash. But what does it mean?

Schrader said, “What I mean is that those cars are pretty tough. They are going to be replacing those links. They are always replacing some parts. But, it’s not like you are going to be throwing cars away. When we used to run it, you just figured you weren’t coming home with the same car.  One or two guys were going to come home with their car and use it again. When you went to Daytona, you knew you were going to lose a car. As far as your rotation and everything you plan on, some things are not coming back. A lot of guys will lose two or three cars down there.”

Now, why does Schrader think there are guaranteed crashes at the track? Well, it might have something to do with the way the track is built. A high-banking, narrower surface, and similar racing strategies, drivers often find themselves drafting each other throughout the race. Eventually, if a crash happens, it results in a massive pileup for the rest of the field. In a given year, these factors combine to make Daytona one of the costliest in the entire year in terms of damage. In the 2010s, there were on average 6 accidents happening per race at Daytona, with an average of 29 cars involved, with the number going up to 51 in one case.

What might be even more frustrating for some is an odd statistic. Most of these wrecks seem to happen in the final few laps of the race when all drivers put on a desperate bid for the win. Last year, it was a massive wreck that started when Alex Bowman nudged William Byron, who then hit Brad Keselowski and caused a massive wreck. In total, there were 23 cars involved. However, fans aren’t complaining. These crashes usually spice up the race by changing things in terms of the leaders.

Regardless, while Schrader speaks freely of the crashes at Daytona, there is one Daytona crash that still remains in his memories.

Ken Schrader and the burden of Earnhardt’s death

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What Ken Schrader experienced the day Dale Earnhardt passed away is a memory that has stayed with him. He was aware that his friend was in serious trouble, although he couldn’t confirm if he had actually passed. This realization has left a lasting impact on him. Following the tragic loss of Dale Earnhardt Sr., which sent shockwaves throughout the NASCAR community, many were eager to learn the details of Dale Sr.’s last moments. However, Schrader chose not to share those memories, keeping them private.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed gratitude that Ken Schrader was the one who had to bear the weight of that painful memory. In those challenging days, the young 26-year-old racer could have easily lost his way.

Thankfully, he was surrounded by supportive individuals who guided him through the turmoil. Dale Jr. reflected on the significant role of mentors in his life, emphasizing a particular gesture by Kenny Jones that provided him with invaluable support. He recognized how important it was to have good people around him and how those relationships shaped his journey in racing.

Do you think the number of wrecks in NASCAR makes the races more exciting for fans? Why or why not?