Latest Win At Lebanon Valley Extra Special For Kolby Schroder

Column By: RYAN HILL / RPW – STATSBURGH, NY – Every win is special, but sometimes a win is extra special. Drivers strap in every week with the hopes of winning knowing only one car will pass under the checkered flags victorious and knowing the odds are always stacked against them.

Regardless of how hard they work, how prepared they may be, a driver never truly knows when or if they will get that next win. That is why every win is special, but on Saturday at Lebanon Valley Speedway Kolby Schroder picked up an extra special win.

Kolby pilots the #99 Top Notch Builders Teo Pro Car big block modified weekly at Lebanon Valley and Kolby along with his family and crew are as dedicated to their racing as anyone in the pits week in and week out.

The team spearheaded by Kolby’s parents Jim and Linda Schroder and Steve Daniels, as well as a devoted group of sponsors and crew members consistently does everything possible to ensure that Kolby has every chance of success on the high banks. Their level of devotion, sacrifice, and support is not lost on Kolby; which makes this win extra special.

“After not getting a win for a few years it makes you appreciate it a lot more when you do win.” Schroder said. I know the amount of dedication everyone puts into our team. The hours away from their families and businesses to make our team what it is, and it’s truly inspires me to go out and get them good results.”

Before the Top Notch Builders #99 machine sat in victory lane on the Lebanon Valley front stretch victorious a race had to be won, and it was not going to be as simple as wanting to win.

As the green flagged waved Kolby went to battle with the potent field of ground pounders, and the looming threat of rain played a factor in his approach to race.

“I was nervous the first five laps because of the rain and was driving cautiously. I didn’t want it to start raining and walk the car. After five laps the track’s greasiness wore off and I started to make a charge on Paul Gilardi.”

As soon as Kolby closed in on the race leader Gilardi the caution came out. When the big blocks powered out of turn four and down the long Lebanon Valley front stretch Kolby was able to run his car deep into turn one, and putting the power from his Bedell Racing Engine down was able to grab the lead.

“When I had the lead I tried to just run smooth consistent laps without using up my brakes and tires. On lap 24 I felt someone behind me. That’s when I saw the nose of Brett Hearn’s #20 car under me. I knew it was time to pick up the pace, so I moved up half a lane, starting to run it in deeper and putting the power down sooner holding Brett off for the win.”

Kolby currently sits 8th in the points standings at Lebanon Valley, and while the season is winding down the win doesn’t change his outlook on the season. Kolby wants to finish the season strong and be in the hunt for another win. Until the next win comes Kolby will always have this win for him and his team to look at as validation for all the hard work and sacrifices they have made.

“This win is huge for our team. I am just super grateful for the opportunity to do what I get to do every Saturday. I am grateful for all the long hours the crew puts in, and all the money my sponsors spend and all the tremendous support from my girlfriend Devynn and my family just to let me do what I love. It felt great to give something back to them, because this win was definitely for them and all the people that believe in me.”

Kolby will be back in action this Saturday at Lebanon Valley Speedway, with the Super DIRTcar Series Mr Dirt Track USA event on the horizon the win and momentum couldn’t have come at a better time for the Kolby Schroder Racing team.