12/8/2018
RacinBoys
Schutt's walk-off season produces runner-up finish in Lucas Oil Speedway Street Stocks
By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- Brian Schutt surprised almost everyone at Lucas Oil Speedway's postseason banquet, announcing his plan to step away from racing to spend more time with his family. A few weeks have passed and Schutt is holding firm.
"That's still the plan. I'm gonna step away from it, at least for a while," Schutt said, noting that he looks forward to spending more time with wife Rachel, 10-year-old son Dax and 2-year-old daughter Landree.
PHOTO: Brian Schutt with his dad Ed Schutt in victory lane early in the 2018 season at Lucas Oil Speedway.--CREDIT: Kenny Shaw photo
If this was Schutt's final season after more than 20 years behind the wheel, it was another memorable one for the Lebanon resident. Despite winning only one feature at Lucas Oil Speedway, he finished a close second to cousin David Hendrix in the Street Stock division.
"I spent too much time chasing. I don't think I had the same set-up two weeks in a row the whole season," Schutt said. "I was trying to find something extra to catch David. We won the first night out and I think I jinxed myself. I said in the tech barn 'this is probably the only one we'll win.' Then it was."
Meanwhile, Hendrix reeled off six feature wins in a row and never relinquished the points lead. Schutt said he often was stronger early in the feature, but Hendrix usually had the better car near the end when it mattered most.
"He's an excellent racer and hats off to those guys. They deserved to win the championship," Schutt said.
Both drivers were powered by motors prepared by Ed Schutt, Brian's dad. The cousins have been close since they were kids and sometimes raced in the same division as their racing careers overlapped, but never as much as in 2018.
Brian Schutt began his racing career on the asphalt at Lebanon I-44 Speedway, but switched over to dirt after that track switched to dirt for a time in the early 2000s. He said he's raced most every kind of car, ranging form Modified to Late Model to Street Stock over the years.
"We both were in Street Stocks at the same time in 2011, '12 and '13, but it seemed like we never were at the same place at the same time too often," Schutt said. "Finally, this year we hooked up a bunch and raced the whole season together. It was a lot of fun."
Hendrix concurred and said he's sorry to see Schutt hanging up the helmet.
"We've raced go-karts and bicycles and tricycles and everything else together since we were old enough to walk," Hendrix said. "I've enjoyed racing with him. I love him to death, but at the same time we're fierce competitors when we get the helmets on.
"I hope he comes back and races with us. I've tried to quit before, too. When Saturday comes around you're a mess and don't know what to do with self."
Schutt said that's a possibility, once in a while. He said he's been asked by a couple of racing friends to drive their cars, occasionally, next season and that could happen.
"I'll miss it for sure, but as far as every week stuff, that's going on the back burner for a while," Schutt said. "I'm not saying forever, for at least for a while though."
The Lucas Oil Speedway season begins March 30 with an open Test and Tune with the Weekly Racing Series opener set for April 6.
Season passes for the 2019 season are available now and those who had them in 2018 can renew at a $25 discount through the end of the year. Contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or email her at Nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com to purchase a pass or get more information.
Gift cards also are available, in any dollar amount. They can be redeemed in any department at the speedway or used toward tickets for any event during 2019.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
