Sparta, WI (October 4, 2012) – Tim Schendel, super late-model and part-time NASCAR Nationwide driver, is headed back to his hometown track at the LaCrosse Speedway for the running of this weekend’s 43rd Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend. Always a favorite event for the Sparta, WI native, Schendel will race three days in two divisions, as well as mentor and coach ASA Midwest Tour’s Rookie of the Year contender, Matt Tifft.
Schendel will start the weekend off on Thursday night driving the #17 late model in the LaCrosse Late Model championship race for Durango Motorsports. On Friday, Schendel will be behind the wheel of his team’s super late model, the #21 Dean’s Satellite Chevrolet, racing in the Dick Trickle 99. He is also hoping to qualify and run in the season finale of the ASA Midwest Tour Championship race on Sunday.
“Oktoberfest is one of the best racing weekends – you can’t beat the atmosphere, camaraderie and competition.” Schendel said. “It’s a lot of fun. I love returning to the LaCrosse Speedway -it’s where I started and holds a lot of great memories. I would really like to put my name on the winner’s list once again!”
Schendel took home the Oktoberfest trophy twice in his career – in 2003 and 2005. In 2006, he catapulted to the champion of the NASCAR Series Elite Division-Midwest Series and went on to win the prestigious Toyota All-Star Showdown in Irwindale, CA. After that, Schendel was a regular touring star in the ASA Midwest Tour until 2011. This year, in addition to running select NASCAR Nationwide Series races for Jimmy Means Motorsports and TMG Motorsports, Schendel has spent most of his time in the garage building and maintaining super late models for his family-owned Iron Eagle Racing team as well as for Ohio native, 16-year-old Matt Tifft. He also serves as Tifft’s mentor and coach. Tifft is vying for the 2012 Rookie of the Year title and is currently leading the rookie points. He sits in fifth place in overall ASAMT points.
“I’ve had a busy season.” Schendel said. “I haven’t had a lot of seat time in the super lates but have spent a lot of time in the shop. The team is excited for Matt – he has led the rookie points for most of the season and if all goes well, should be named Rookie of the Year in the ASA Midwest Tour for 2012. As for me this weekend, I’m just looking forward to getting back into the #21 Dean’s Satellite Chevy and hopefully having a good run.”
After this weekend, Schendel is looking to run a few more NASCAR Nationwide Series races. Negotiations with teams are underway to determine his upcoming schedule.
“I’m grateful to the two teams that given me chances to drive in the NASCAR Nationwide Series this year.” Schendel said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to drive in the upper echelons of NASCAR but with sponsorship the way it is now, it’s hard to realize that dream. The teams I race with don’t have the best equipment and that’s been challenging at times but it is a lot of fun and hopefully, will lead to more opportunities for me.”
Dean’s Satellite, a Sparta, WI local business and dealer of DirectTV, DISH and home security systems, will be the primary sponsor on the #21 Chevrolet this weekend. Dean’s Satellite, recently named the #1 dealer in the nation for DirectTV, services homes and businesses in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Other Sparta, WI businesses – Marr Promotions, Club Oasis, Jon’s Rentals, Tim Neubauer Trucking, The Rite Spot, Shades Body Studio, S&S Distributing and Bud Light -are also helping the team out this weekend. Northside Mobile from Mauston, WI and Fastax from nearby Tomah, WI round out the list of sponsors.
Schedules for Oktoberfest Race Weekend can be found at www.oktoberfestraceweekend.com. Updates on Schendel can be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TimSchendel21. For more information on the Iron Eagle Racing team, to schedule an interview with Tim or for information on possible sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jill OToole at 608-445-5412. For more information on the ASA Midwest Tour, please visit www.asamidwesttour.com.
