Kevin Schaeffer Retires As A Champion
www.fullyinjected.com
Kittanning, PA (11-13-2012) – Kittanning, Pennsylvania native Kevin Schaeffer surprised Western Pennsylvania sprint car enthusiasts when he announced back in February that he was going to retire from sprint car competition at the conclusion of the 2012 season. What most race fans and fellow sprint car competitors did not know, is that Schaeffer’s goal before retiring was to earn one more track championship; and he had only one season to reach that goal. The Schaeffer Tire/Highland Tire/Townsend Gas & Oil/John Turner Motorsports no. 9 would go on to find championship success in 2012; and at what better place than the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania. A facility that has been Schaeffer’s home for many seasons during his remarkable career. The title was his first since 2008; making an even total of four (4) championships at the Sarver 4/10’s mile oval to go along with a Sharon Speedway, and Challenger Raceway, track championship.
“I’m going to be a fan at my kid’s sporting events from now on” chuckled Schaeffer, “I still have my brother’s quad to work on…and my Jeep…so I’ll have those projects to keep my busy, too…I just want to thank everybody who was involved, in one way or another, with my racing career…it was a lot of fun but now it’s time to hang it up!”
Kevin Schaeffer had a very successful career in ‘410’ sprint car competition throughout the Western Pennsylvania racing circuit. The pilot of the familiar yellow no. 9 sprinter has earned six (6) total track championships in this half of the Keystone State and Eastern Ohio; including three (3) consecutive titles at the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania (2006-2008); one (1) track championship at the Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio (2004); and one (1) championship at the Challenger Raceway near Indiana, Pennsylvania. The Schaeffer Motorsports team achieved nearly thirty ‘410’ sprint car wins over the course of a sixteen-year campaign; with eight consecutive seasons of top ten (10) appearances in the Lernerville Speedway sprint car point standings. The 2012 season is arguably going to be Schaeffer’s most memorable assault; as he closed out a long, successful career with another track championship, at his home track, with all of his family and friends in attendance.
“I think I am most proud of the fact that my team was always competitive…even when being a small, family owned operation” said Schaeffer, “I’m not going to miss much…I’ll keep myself distracted away from the racing stuff a little bit so I don’t find myself wanting to come back…my kids will keep me plenty busy with all of their sporting events…I’d just rather be their biggest fan now, rather than them be mine!”
The 2012 season was one for the books; as Schaeffer finished outside of the top five (5) only once during ‘Fab Four’ feature competition. Schaeffer’s worst finish of his 2012 Lernerville Speedway campaign was a sixth place performance back on May 4th, 2012. The former Challenge Raceway Rookie of the Year’s best finish of the 2012 season concluded with a victory lane appearance during ‘Opening Night’ of the Lernerville schedule. The Schaeffer Motorspots no. 9 team ended the championship chase with a 25 point margin of victory over fellow former Lernerville Speedway champion, and winner, Rod George. The team’s four (4) Lernerville Speedway track titles puts Kevin Schaeffer on a very distinguished list of multi-time champs at the Sarver oval; which includes, but doesn’t limit to, Rod George, Ed Lynch, Jr., Jimmy Hawley, and Jamie Smith.
“I’m really excited to be a sports fan for my kids…that’s most important right now!”
Hopefully we see Kevin back at the races soon!
Stay Tuned…