Jeff Pederson
Pedal Down Promotions
517 South 27th Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com
www.pedaldownpromotions.com
920-323-7970
Ritchie fits right in with Schueffner Racing
in PDTR debut season
By Jeff Pederson
Pedal Down Promotions
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 19, 2019 – One of the most intriguing new partnerships in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing pit area has been the pairing of veteran New London driver Justin Ritchie with the Sheboygan Falls-based Schueffner Racing No. 70 Late Model team.
Together the partnership has yielded a A-main victory at Plymouth on June 15, as well as a big triumph in the $4,100-to-win Diamond 41 Dirt Kings Late Model race at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek on June 18.
The Schueffner Racing team has been a fixture at The Plymouth Dirt Track for the past 13 years, including Late Model title-winning campaigns with Craig Schueffner in the driver’s seat in 2009 and 2012, and a near miss last year with Cleveland’s Jim Schmidt behind the wheel, who finished in the runner-up spot two points behind champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland.
On the other hand, Ritchie is not nearly as familiar to Plymouth fans as he is currently embarking on his first full season in the PDTR Late Model division. However, Ritchie comes to Plymouth with an impressive racing resume in his back pocket.
“My dad raced for 20-plus years and I started racing go-karts when I was 15,” Ritchie said. “From there, over the years, I have raced Limited Late Models, Late Models and Modifieds on dirt at Shawano, Seymour, Antigo, Oshkosh, 141, Luxemburg, Red Cedar and now Plymouth this year.”
During his highly successful career, Ritchie has racked up over 50 A-main victories, as well as five Late Model track championships and the Tri-Track Challenge Series Rookie of the Year Award in 2005.
With many strong seasons to choose from, Ritchie points to the 2009 campaign has his standout year in racing so far.
“Probably my most memorable season was the year I won track championships at both Langlade County Speedway in Antigo and Shawano Speedway in 2009,” Ritchie said. “That season stands out as one that I am pretty proud of.”
After racing mainly in the Modified ranks in recent years, Ritchie jumped at the chance to hop behind the wheel of the Schueffner Racing No. 70 Late Model for the 2019 season.
“Cale and Leslie Schueffner gave me a call one day and we worked out a deal,” Ritchie said. “So far, the partnership has gone very well. We’ve picked up a few A-main victories, as well many top-five finishes. It seems like we’re all working well together, and we’ve been running up front on a consistent basis.”
At the half-way point of the PDTR season, Ritchie and the Schueffner Racing team currently sit second behind defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland in the chase for the 2019 title with a clear goal of chasing the Plymouth championship this year.
“The plan is to finish out all the PDTR races and the Dirt Kings races, with a few other events mixed in here and there,” Ritchie said. “Aside from that, our goal as a team is to pick up as many wins as possible.”
The roots of Schueffner racing were formed when Leslie Schueffner started attending the races in Plymouth as a teenager. After marrying Karen and starting a family, the Schueffner clan attended the races religiously on Saturday nights.
Leslie got his start in racing in the 1980s by owning a car with friends, Carl Maeuser and Dennis Hanke, which ran at Plymouth and 141 Speedway in the 1980s with Buck Carman and Dick Hed driving. Eventually, the team purchased a Late Model and ran at Hales Corners and Seymour.
Leslie and Karen’s son, Cale, carried on the family racing tradition by helping out Scott Specht in the Grand National, Sportsman and Late Model divisions from 1993 through 2006. In 2007, Leslie and Cale joined together to form Schueffner Racing with Craig Schueffner as the driver of the team’s Late Model.
With Craig Schueffner behind the wheel, the team enjoyed plenty of success, including championships with Plymouth Dirt Track Racing in 2009 and 2012, at Manitowoc in 2008, as well as with the Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Association (WDLMA) in 2012.
Since 2007, the Schueffner racing team has posted 29 Late Model A-main victories with Craig Schueffner, Jim Schmidt and Justin Ritchie sitting in the driver’s seat.
“Obviously, winning a championship always makes a year feel very successful, so 2008, 2009, and 2012 would definitely be successful years,” Cale said. “We have been fortunate to consistently field a competitive car that runs up front for the last 13 years. As a team, that would be our greatest success. We enjoy racing because we are able to do together as a family in the pits, race shop and the stands.”
Leslie has been impressed with how Ritchie has integrated himself into the fabric of the team.
“We are off to a great start with Justin driving for us,” Leslie said. “When you have a situation where the chassis, driver and team are all new to each other, there is always a period of learning that takes place. We have managed to win some races while doing this, and we are all getting more comfortable as we race more. I think everyone is happy with how things are going to this point.”
Ritchie is quick to express a great deal of gratitude for the opportunity to drive the Schueffner Racing Late Model this season.
“I’d like to thank Leslie, Cale and the Schueffner family for giving me the opportunity to race for a great family and a great team,” Ritchie said. “They have been so welcoming and have made my family feel a part of theirs. I’m looking forward to many more good runs together.”
Sponsors for the 2019 Schueffner Racing team include: Mars Racecars, CMD Shocks, Tim’s Automotive, Todd Thone Carpentry, KSI Construction, Diener Electric, Waldo Oil, Thumper, Meyer Motors, Meyer Electric, Maeuser Farms, Schueffner Farms, Lawns Are Us, Snazzy Metals, Walker Hot Rods, DW Schneider Manufacturing, Bob’s Classic Car Restoration & Auto Body and Station 2 Bar.
Pit crew members are Leslie Schueffner, Ian Williams, Eli Schueffner, Isaiah Schueffner, Dave Ritchie, Dakota Ritchie, Derrick Walker and Cale Schueffner and Terri Williams.
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This week’s Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program features four divisions of action, including the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, Late Models, Grand Nationals and B Mods. Hot laps begin at 5:30 p.m. with racing to start at 6 p.m.
It is also PDTR’s annual autograph night, sponsored by Hopf Farms, with fans encouraged to come to the pit area after the races to meet their favorite drivers, many of which will have special items and treats for race fans to enjoy. In addition, Hopf Farms will be distributing drawstring bags and checkered flags to the first 250 kids in attendance.
The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook.
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For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.
