2006 racers at a glance: Jac Haudenschild

2006 World of Outlaws Sprint Series Racers At A Glance: Jac Haudenschild

Orlando -- Dec. 1, 2005 -- Jac Haudenschild captured the 40th World of Outlaws Sprint Series victory of his storied career in a classic race last August at Eldora Speedway, a track where he has had some of the greatest wins in his life. First he slid in front at the midpoint of the event, then he drove the car as high as he could -- higher than anyone else dared and mere inches off the intimidating fence -- before powering his way around the top and into Victory Lane.

The place went crazy. It was clearly one of the most popular victories in the 2005 season by one of the most respected racers in sprint car history. And it's something the Wild Child hopes to repeat several times in 2006 as he pilots the Rick Wright-owned No. 35 machine on the World of Outlaws Sprint Series trail.

Haudenschild, of Wooster, Ohio, has raced for more than 30 years, starting in the mid-1970s at Lakeville Speedway and Wayne County Speedway in Ohio. After picking up his first victory as a 16-year-old in 1976 at Lakeville, Haudenschild continued to move up in the sprint car racing. First it was the Ferguson No. 34, which he put in the winner's circle eight times in 1977, then the Yerian No. 75 that he drove to victory 10 times the following season.

As the 1980s dawned, Haudenschild raced with the All Star Circuit of Champions, posting a top-10 result in points. By 1981, he also proved his talents in a non-wing sprint car with a victory at Lawrenceburg Speedway.

It was clear Haudenschild already was a star and still on the rise. After finding more success with the All Stars and in USAC, Haudenschild was given the opportunity in 1982 to run with the World of Outlaws in the C.K. Spurlock Gambler House car, which naturally was sponsored by singer Kenny Rogers. That led to more chances to excel in several cars on the All Stars and Outlaws circuits throughout the mid-'80s. He picked up his first Outlaws victory in 1985 at Kokomo Speedway, and in 1986 ran the full Outlaws schedule for the first time, earning a top-five in the standings.

One year later, Haudenschild would earn his first of three Kings Royal championships at Eldora. But he didn't rest on that win. Haudenschild counted five Outlaws victories among his 15 overall wins in 1989.

In the early '90s, Haudenschild hooked up with Guy Forbrook and posted 20 victories at Knoxville Raceway in 1991. After landing in the Casey Luna No. 10 early in the 1992 season, Haudenschild raced his way to an eighth-place points-finish with the Outlaws before finding himself in 1993 in the Pennzoil-sponsored No. 22 machine for the first of eight years as Jack Elden's driver. Haudenschild captured the Historical Big One at Eldora, worth $100,000, and the following season won yet another Kings Royal as he established himself as one of the drivers to beat night in and night out on the Outlaws circuit.

In 1995, he wound up second in Outlaws points, with 10 wins and top-fives in 60 percent of the events. The wins and top-10 points-finishes continued to come through '90s, including 12 track records in 1997.

By the end of 1998, Haudenschild had won his third Kings Royal title and added a victory in the Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. Proving his skills again in 1999, Haudenschild won another Gold Cup to go with a victory in the Front Row Challenge.

Haudenschild and Forbrook hooked up again in 2002, but it was in 2003 when he captured the biggest victory of his career as Haudenschild teamed up with Larry Woodward to win the Mopar Million Sprint at Eldora.

Now, as he prepares to go back on the road with the World of Outlaws yet again, Haudenschild says he's already thinking about the season opener in February at Volusia Speedway Park.

"I've been with the Outlaws for years," Haudenschild said. "It's always been the place to race. It's where the money is to race. The Outlaws have always treated me good. We're just glad to be back with them again this year."

No doubt certain dates will be circled on Haudenschild's calendar, but there's little doubt how he'll circle racetracks night after night -- on top.

"We're looking forward to all the big races again," he said. "It looks like we're going to be running every race so hopefully we're going to hang in there and win some races next year.

"Winning any of those big races makes you feel good. It gets you pumped up and the whole team pumped up. It just makes everybody want to go racing more. It's nice if you can win one of those big races. Eldora usually has them with Knoxville and Chico. Everybody is always trying to win the big races every year and I'm just glad we've got the big races to run. It'll be fun to get back started again."

For more on Jac Haudenschild, go to www.haudenschildracing.com.

-woo-