New Palestine, Indiana (April 11, 2018): Armstrong Racing is proud to announce that Kenny Schrader will return for the 70th Annual Pay Less Little 500 presented by UAW-GM. For the second year in a row, he will pilot Brad and Tara Armstrong’s #99. The team will have support from Armstrong Garage Doors, Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts. Schrader moved away from NASCAR Cup Series racing after the 2013 season. He has since gone back to his roots and running short tracks across the Midwest. Schrader competed in 65 events throughout 2017, including the 69th Pay Less Little 500 presented by UAW-GM in which he finished 10th. He was the second highest finishing rookie in the race behind Tony Stewart. This was a fantastic result for Schrader since he had never stepped foot in a pavement sprint car until April of 2017.
After the first day of qualifying, Schrader qualified 21st on a cold race track. The track improved on Friday, but the team elected to just practice and not forfeit his first day qualifying time. When bump day concluded, Schrader qualified in 25th p
osition. He methodically stayed out of trouble and worked his way up through the field. Schrader finished 10th in his first ever Pay Less Little 500 presented by UAW-GM in 2017. He completed 488 of the 500 laps.
The sprint car will continue to carry sponsorship from Armstrong Garage Doors of New Palestine, Indiana. The business was started in 1996 by Brad and Tara Armstrong out of their home in New Palestine, Indiana. They have grown the business to service not just Hancock County but all of central Indiana. The business has been a long time sponsor of racing that includes USAC Sprint Cars, Silver Crown Cars and Indy Cars. In addition to Armstrong Garage Doors, Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts of Warsaw, Indiana is joining forces to sponsor the team. They offer a large array of products from pit carts for race teams to custom toters and trailers along with golf carts. Additional sponsors include Image Express, H & H Drywall, PGG Enterprises, Deaton’s Waterfront Services, ASR Welding & Fabrication & TCB Speed.
Armstrong Racing has been part of the Pay Less Little 500 presented by UAW-GM since 1989, with a majority of those years with Brad Armstrong behind the wheel. Brad’s best finish came in 2008 when he finished in 8th place. The Armstrong’s switched to an ownership role for the 2016 Pay Less Little 500 presented by UAW-GM.
Tanner Swanson drove for the Armstrong’s in the 2016 race and he qualified 5th. During the race, however, the car suffered engine problems on lap 8 and had to retire from the race. Most recently, Armstrong Racing hired 9 time Little 500 Champion, Eric Gordon to pilot their USAC Silver Crown car at the Copper World Classic in April. Eric brought the car home in 4th place after being away from Silver Crown cars at Phoenix for the last 10 years.
The 70th Annual Pay Less Little 500 presented by UAW-GM tickets are on sale now. Tickets are $40 and all seats are reserved. To reserve your tickets you can call the track office at (765) 642-0206 ex. 21 or by stopping in the race track. For more information on the 2018 racing season or the Little 500 please visit www.andersonspeedway.com
