CORY SCHRADER: NORTHPORT INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY 2024 MODIFIED CHAMP

Cory Schrader’s modified that has won two titles in the past three seasons at Northport. Cory Schrader Photo

 NORTHPORT, Washington — Since his racing debut in 2005, Cory Schrader has been a force to be reckoned with on the track. And the 2024 season at Northport International Raceway was no exception as Schrader claimed his second Modified championship in three years.

Schrader also broke the 20-year-old track record of 18.72 with a fast lap of 18.64 and the following race beat it again with a fast lap of 18.49.

Over the years, Schrader has continued to dominate, securing additional season championships in 2010, 2014, 2022, and most recently, in 2024. This remarkable achievement marks his fifth Modifieds championship.

Beginning his career in the Fever Four division, he quickly demonstrated a natural talent for racing. In 2008, he transitioned to the highly competitive Modifieds class, where he found immediate success, clinching his first season championship in his rookie year.

Carrying the iconic number 17 on his race car, Schrader has showcased his skills on both dirt and asphalt tracks.

Schrader’s career has taken him to venues across Northport, Republic, Stateline, Monroe, Kalispell, and Wenatchee where he has earned respect and admiration from fans and competitors alike.

Off the track, Schrader is a devoted father and a tireless provider for his family. Balancing the demands of a high-octane racing career with his responsibilities at home, he works countless hours to ensure his loved ones are supported. His dedication and work ethic are as impressive as his racing accomplishments, making him a role model both on and off the track.

Schrader’s success is a combination of both skill, equipment and a bit a luck tossed in, but there’s more to it.

Thank go out to his wife, Chelsea as well as Adrian Konkler, Trevor Warren, Mort Warren and Jason Warren for the help and support with my car on and off the track. And to promoter Cory Bell for making sure we have a place to race as well as Lori Zaitsoff for your continuous support over the years and motivation through the late-night calls and texts.

 

Position/ Diver; Points
1. Cory Schrader; 620
2. LeeAnn Zaitsoff; 429
3. Gord Zaitsoff; 373
4. Willie Armishaw; 358
5. Jason Warren; 335

JEFF BIRD: STATELINE SPEEDWAY 2024 MODIFIED CHAMP

Jeff Bird’s ’Ol Blue modified, built in 2002, went out with a bang, figuratively and literally. The car won a second consecutive championship before being destroyed in a crash at Tri Cities that severely injured Bird. Jeff Bird Photo

POST FALLS — It was a memorable 2024 season for Hayden’s Jeff Bird in both a good and bad way.

First the good. The longtime racer collected a repeat championship in Stateline Speedway’s Champion Auto Group Freedom Mods class by topping cousin, Lucas Bird — again — in the final standings.

Bird won a pair of feature races with his memorable moment came at the Idaho 200.

“The 2024 season we raced the same ‘Ol Blue #5 built in 2002, but we have a new version about done thought we might get the new one out,” Bird wrote in an email.

The decades-old car performed well. “We found some race speed in ‘Ol Blue enough to win back- to-back championships,” Bird said.

“We won two races and one of the races was the Friday night race during the Idaho 200 weekend with a great field of fast cars that included Bubba Pollard, Bart Hector Jr. and a handful of B-mod teams, 15-16 cars, it was a fun race,” Bird said.

His championship effort was also aided by a couple of runner-up finishes.

Bird traveled to run at Wenatchee at “Thunder in the Valley” where he sensed he might have had another win but the race was cut short by 40 laps due to a lighting problem he reported.

“The car raced really well and finished every lap of the race season,” Bird said.

Until that is Oct. 5 at Tri City Raceway at the Fall Classic when he crashed hard into the wall in a mock qualifying run on the swift half-mile tri-oval track.

Bird fractured four ribs, his scapula and collar bone and right elbow, the worst outcome ever in a career that dates back to the 1980s.

Bird got his start in oval track racing in 1986 at Spokane Raceway Park where he raced until 1988 in their Street Stock class. He then jumped into open-wheel racing with the Northwest Modifieds from 1989- 1994 where he won back-to-back championships in 1991 and 1992.

He went back to fender cars running late models from 1994 to 2000 before returning the modifies from 2004-2007. Along the way Bird raced and won a Winston Racing Series title at Yakima Speedway.

Bird extended thanks to Top Notch Construction out of CDA and Champion Auto Sales from Spokane Valley and to Ted and Shane Mitchell from Mitchell Racing.

“Also thank to Kyle Birkenbuel and Paul Furman for your support as well,” adding “As always thank you Matt Alexander,” the GM at Stateline.

2025 NWSLMS SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Pos; Competitor; Hometown; Points Gap
1; Jeff Bird; Hayden, ID 350 -
2; Lucas Bird; Electric City, WA; 305 -45
3; Frankie Volz Jr. ; Spokane, WA; 288 -62
4; Kevin Ratel; Colville, WA; 275 -75
5; Kit Vanbuskirk; Cheney, WA; 250 -100