The number 49 will be pretty important for Ken Schrader, driver of the Schwan’s Home Service Dodge on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit, this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Schrader celebrates his 49th birthday on Saturday, May 29 – the day before the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race in NASCAR Nextel Cup racing. As usual, he will drive the #49 Dodge, sponsored by Schwan’s Home Service and fielded by BAM Racing. “We felt we had to make it a little more special for him,” said Howard Miller, Schwan’s vice president for corporate relations. “A guy doesn’t celebrate his 49th birthday every day . . . even though we realize Kenny might claim it’s his 49th birthday for the next several years.” Schwan’s is bringing its familiar yellow home-delivery trucks to Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Sunday to treat 49,000 fans to complimentary Schwan’s Confetti ice cream cups as they enter the speedway. In addition, 49,000 fans will receive free Schwan’s refrigerator magnets. Race fans will be invited to log onto www.schwans.com/happybirthdayken to get a free dinner with their first order, receive a special commemorative Ken Schrader birthday screensaver or wallpaper, and send Schrader a birthday email greeting. “Pretty nice stuff. Sure beats a card and a necktie,” Schrader laughed. “Actually, Anne (Schrader, wife) and my kids (Dorothy, Sheldon) have always taken pretty good care of me on my birthday,” he said. “I think it’s pretty cool Schwan’s is involving the fans at Lowe’s Motor Speedway with ice cream and a chance for a free dinner too. Of course, I think it is even nicer they are going to bring ice cream, cake and that other stuff down to our transporter Sunday afternoon too.” At 49, Schrader is the oldest active full-time driver in NASCAR’s Nextel Cup Series but in an era where younger drivers have have been the rage, Schrader continues to be an icon for Schwan’s and a force on the race track. This is the second time he has driven for Schwan brands; in the late 1980s, he piloted the Red Baron Pizza-sponsored cars. Now with Schwan’s Home Service sponsorship, he’s glad to be involved in the company’s second NASCAR outing. Fans who enjoy following Ken Schrader’s exploits online are invited to visit www.SchwansRacing.com.(Williams Company PR)(5-30-2004)
