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Baird Returns; Teams with Ken Schrader Racing for Daytona
CONCORD NC (1-8-07) – Bill Baird, the 1999 ARCA RE/MAX Series driving
champion, just can’t seem to stay away.
After retiring in 2002, Baird stepped out of retirement for what he thought would
be one final hurray in 2004. That was in August of ’04 at the Illinois State
Fairgrounds where he climbed back into the driver’s seat for the first time in more
than two years, and then climbed out soon after in victory lane. Three weeks
later, he finished second at DuQuoin.
Outside of two more ARCA RE/MAX Series attempts at Springfield and DuQuoin
in 2005, we haven’t seen, or heard, much from him since.
“Walking away from racing was the toughest thing I ever did,” said Baird. “But I
had no choice. My business was struggling, and I had to pay closer attention to
what was going on with my business. Right now, the business is going great.”
So great in fact that the 57-year-old Sturgis, Kentucky driver is dusting off his
helmet and donning the racing gear.
“I feel absolutely great. I’ve been working with a personal trainer. Other than a
little ole back nag, I’d say I’m in better shape now than I was 10 years ago.
“I went to the Daytona test a couple weeks back to help someone out,” said
Baird. “I had no intention of it turning into anything, but once I got in the car, I had
a real tough time climbing out.
“Then me and (Ken) Schrader got to talking at Daytona. We were waiting for the
weather to clear out when he said, ‘Let’s go racing’. We started talking some
more, and the next thing I know, the talk’s getting a lot more serious.
“As we got into the discussion, I told him that if I was coming to Daytona, I wasn’t
just coming to race; I’d have to have a car I could win with. Schrader did some
checking around and called me a few days later, and said he thinks he found me
the car I need."
Next step, or stop we should say – Ken Schrader Racing in Concord, North
Carolina where Baird is today getting fit into his car for Daytona.
“I’ll be driving for Ken Schrader Racing. We acquired a Bill Davis Racing Dodge,
Bill Davis motor; it’s an excellent car. Same car that Dave Blaney drove at the
400 (Daytona) last year. We’re putting the seat in it today.
“It’ll be car #52. Schrader’s guys will crew the car. Donnie Richeson will be crew
chief.”
And if Schrader and Baird have their way, they’ll run a lot more than Daytona.
“We’re looking for sponsorship right now said Baird. If nothing develops, I’ll
probably run the first two shows since they’re in Florida, and I’m about 60 miles
from Lakeland. Springfield and DuQuoin for sure, and probably Talladega. But if
we can find us a sponsor, a marketing partner to work with, we’ll be there every
week, which is what we want to be.”
The last time Baird was ‘there’ every week was 1999, the year he won the ARCA
RE/MAX Series championship driving for – you guessed it – Ken Schrader
Racing.
“Schrader and I go way back. There is total respect from both sides. I think he’s
more excited about this than I am, and I’m pretty darn excited. Since I quit racing,
Schrader and I have talked, I’d say, about every six months. We’ve always
remained close friends. I can tell you we’re talking a heck of a lot more now.”
Baird made his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut at Daytona in 1997 driving the 52
car for Ken Schrader Racing. Baird qualified third and finished fourth, which is
still his best Daytona finish. In 1998, Baird earned the pole position at Daytona in
a car he bought from Schrader.
“I can’t tell you how impressed I was when I was at the (Daytona) test in
December. I couldn’t believe the quality of equipment and race teams. You had
over 70 drivers test, and there wasn’t one single spin on the track. I think that
speaks volumes for the series, which is obviously getting more competitive every
year.
“Anyway, we’re coming to Daytona with Ken Schrader Racing, and we hope it can
turn into a lot more than that.”
In 59 career ARCA RE/MAX Series starts, Baird has 6 wins at the Springfield mile
dirt in 2004, Atlanta Motor Speedway ‘99, Salem Speedway ‘99, Flat Rock
Speedway ‘99, Shady Bowl Speedway ’99 and Springfield ‘99. He also won 5
poles in ’99 at Salem twice, Anderson, Toledo and Flat Rock. Baird was also the ’
99 Superspeedway Challenge championship and Bill France Triple Crown
winner. In all, Baird has 26 top-5 finishes and 34 top-10s, and has led 989 laps in
24 races. Baird was also the 1998 ARCA RE/MAX Rookie of the Year finishing
4th in points in his first full season.
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