Full Throttle

Veteran Ken Schrader earned his 15th career Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell Saturday afternoon at Rockingham Speedway in preparation for Sunday’s (April 19) ARCA RE/MAX Carolina 200.

“Surprised ourselves really,” said Schrader. “We got one good lap in; we’ll see what it does tomorrow. It’s just great to be back here at Rockingham. I’ve always loved this place; it’s a great track. My crew chief Donnie (Richeson) has won Cup races here as a crew chief, and that just gives you that much more experience heading into race weekend.”

The Fenton, Missouri driver, in his own Ken Schrader Racing Chevrolet, circled the historic, high-banked oval in 24.698 seconds, for an average speed of 145.761 mph. Schrader, a 15-time ARCA winner, will make his 53rd career ARCA RE/MAX Series start in tomorrow’s race.

Walnut Cove, North Carolina rookie Alex Yontz, in a Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet, was second fastest overall with an average speed of 145.502 mph.

Indiantown, Florida’s Patrick Sheltra, coming off his first victory at Salem Speedway two weeks ago, qualified third at 145.033 mph.

Tallahassee, Florida’s Ricky Carmichael, the 15-time AMA Motocross champion, qualified fourth (144.433 mph) in a Kevin Harvick-owned Chevrolet.

ARCA RE/MAX Series point leader Justin Lofton qualified fifth (144.341 mph) in the Eddie Sharp Racing Lofton Cattle Toyota.

The ARCA RE/MAX Carolina 200 at Rockingham Speedway is live on SPEED Sunday, April 19 at 1:00 PM ET. Coverage of the ARCA RE/MAX Series also includes live timing & scoring and live streaming audio at ARCAracing.com.

OTHER NOTES:

Chris Economaki and Ken Schrader will be honored by the speedway with the naming of the Media Center and Turn Four grandstands, respectively.

The Chris Economaki Media Center is dedicated to the man who has covered the sport of auto racing for more than 70 years as a journalist, track announcer, radio and television announcer and has been the editor for National Speed Sport News since 1950. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994 and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1993.

Kevin Harvick will be atop of the flagstand at the start of the ARCA RE/MAX Series Carolina 200 race at the Rockingham Speedway on April 19th and will wave the green flag to begin the highly anticipated race.

Tony Stewart had the honor during last season’s ARCA race at the historic track.

Harvick will be making the trip to Rockingham following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at PIR where he will be driving the No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet on Saturday night.

Kevin Harvick Incorporated will also field a car in the Carolina 200 with Ricky Carmichael getting his first laps at the one-mile speedway.