WOO driver Haudenschild inducted into Sprint Car HoF

Haudenschild Inducted into National Sprint Car Hall of Fame

Knoxville, IA-- May 31, 2009--For over 35 years, Jac Haudenschild has been thrilling fans from coast-to-coast with his always exciting driving style, and for once he was the one receiving a thrill, as he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa on Saturday.

While Haudenschild was competing at I-96 Speedway in Michigan with the World of Outlaws on Saturday, finishing a very solid sixth, his long time friend and 2007 Hall of Fame Inductee Kenny Jacobs accepted the honor for the fellow Ohioan.

"It means a lot to get in the Hall of Fame," said a proud Haudenschild. "I'm glad to be in there. I'm sorry we couldn't get out there for the induction. It's a great honor, that's for sure."

While many members of the Hall of Fame have been inducted long after their driving days were finished, Haudenschild became the second current World of Outlaws driver to be inducted into the Hall of Fame while he is still racing on the circuit, joining Steve Kinser in receiving the honor.

"It is pretty special to still be racing and be inducted at the same time," noted the native of Wooster, Ohio. "We're glad to still be out here racing. We have a good ride here in the R19 car and hopefully we'll be out here racing for a while."

Haudenschild climbed into a sprint car for the first time in 1974 in his home state of Ohio and has been racing ever since. He won his first sprint car race in 1975 and has since won in 30 different seasons. He has won in winged sprint cars, as well as non-wing machines and even midgets. He is ninth all-time on the World of Outlaws win list with 51 A-Feature triumphs, including five last season. The veteran is one of just nine drivers in the 31-year history of the series that has more than 50 victories.

"I never really thought about it too much," he shared, when asked if he ever thought he would still be racing after 35-plus year behind the wheel. "We just kept racing year after year. We're very fortunate to have been able to have done that. I'm glad that I am still able to race."

Haudenschild has won numerous races from coast-to-coast, including the famed Kings Royal three times at Eldora Speedway in his home state of Ohio and the legendary Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in California also a trio of times as well. In addition, he was victorious in The Historic Big One at Eldora in 1993 and the Mopar Million in 2003, as well as the Grand Annual Classic in Australia a couple of times.

"All of the bigger races you remember them the most," he noted. "The Kings Royal races, the Historical Big One and races like that. You always remember those."

Haudenschild will have the chance to race with a number of fellow Hall of Famers this season, including each and every night against 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser and he also get to compete against fellow legend and three-time World of Outlaws title winner Sammy Swindell on occasion as well as Keith Kauffman and Fred Rahmer when the series visits Central Pennsylvania and Brent Kaeding when the series visits the West Coast.

"I've raced with Steve (Kinser) and Sammy (Swindell) forever," Haudenschild said with a smile. "Steve is out here right now Sammy is still running as well and guys race a lot longer now than they used to. There are a lot of guys over 50 that are still racing."

While he is busy competing full-time with the World of Outlaws, Haudenschild also has been helping his son Sheldon with his racing, as the youngster is racing sprint cars around the state of Ohio, after cutting his teeth racing Motocross. After 35 plus years behind the wheel, Haudenschild shows no signs of slowing down and still enjoys every moment he is at the track whether in the car or in the pit area visiting with his vast legion of fans.

"We're still going to keep running for a few more years," he said. "We don't have any plans on quitting any time soon."

Other inductees into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame for 2009 include: Allan Brown, Jim Chini, Jack Elam, Lee Elkins, Jackie Holmes, Tommy Nicholson, Lee Osborne, Cavino "Kelly" Petillo, Roger Rager, Fred Rahmer, Louis Senter and Rip Williams.

For more information on the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum in Knoxville, Iowa visit www.sprintcarhof.com.

-credit: WoO