Jeff Blaser Photoby Matt Panure
When competing in one of the toughest weekly Late Model classes in the Midwest, it’s important to put your best foot forward. Just ask Rich Schumann Jr.

Having won a Championship at Dells Raceway Park in the same division in 2007, Schumann jumped out to an early point lead and cruised to his second title in the highly competitive Budweiser Late Models.

“I look at the caliber of drivers I was racing against, it was really unbelievable,” said Schumann, of Portage. “It’s not like you’re racing against three or four good drivers. You have 17 drivers who can win. I think this was one of the best Midwest tracks to race at. There was such good, hard-nosed racing.”

“I think this year was one of those years where we came out firing right out of the gate,” Schumann said. “We led from the get-go and that was one of my goals.”

A string of top-ten finishes shot Schumann out to a healthy advantage in standings through the first seven weeks. Schumann finished third in the first two features of the season, sixth in the next two, second on June 25 and July 2 and third on July 9. He also had a three-week string of setting fast time from June 4 to June 18.

During those weeks several Budweiser Late Model features became marred by cautions. While other contenders had their problems in the melees, Schumann was immune. A little luck and a lot of patience kept Schumann out of trouble, he said.