3/28/2008

Out A Winner - In As A Rookie
Steve Shultz Makes Plunge Into Street Stocks
by Gene Ostrowski

   Without a PA state driver’s license and only fifteen years old, Steve Shultz began to beat racers more than twice his age in the thriller division at Mountain Speedway.
    Intrigued with anything that had an engine, Shultz dabbled with dirt bikes for a number of years at Jack Frost, but never pursued motocross racing. In 2005, he and his father, Ron, decided to take a gander at auto racing, mainly because there was a track so close to their home.
    Without any prior driving experience, yet alone circle track racing knowledge, the talented racer finished off the season with the experience needed to succeed and a 4th place finish in the overall point standings.
    Now, 18-years old, the Drums native recently sold his race car and promoted himself to the next level of competition - the street stocks. He’s excited about his rookie street stock debut this season at the asphalt oval. “I’m really looking forward to my first season in the street stocks and think I’m ready for it”, he said. “Mountain Speedway is a fun track and it’s close to home. “There’s not many tracks left anymore”.
    Even with three years of experience under his belt, Shultz knows that there’s a major difference between the two divisions. “Compared to the thriller car, the street stock will have a lot more power, wider tires and better handling. There will be a learning curve, but I’ll get used to it”, he said.
    Schultz said that he receives a ton of help from his father and his mother, Lisa. Always by his side, girlfriend, Deana Judge helps out in the garage as well. Others that lend a hand and frequently turn wrenches are Will Schultz and Ed Michaels. Mountain late model standout, Joe Hoffman even lends a helping hand.
    The street stock competition is very close, where half the field could have a legitimate chance to win a feature on any given night. Shultz spoke about the rivals that he’ll face this season and said, “I think Paul Frantz will be tough again this year”. Frantz was the division titlest last season.
    Shultz set goals to achieve by the end of the season, which include a top five finish in points and he hopes to notch a feature win or two along the way. “Of course the first goal is to be competitive, but I think that as long as we can stay out of trouble, finishing in the top five in points is possible. “My focus this season is just to run the points shows”, he said.
    “On any given night, Steve can be found working on his new race car” said his father, Ron. “Besides help from his sponsors, the kid buys everything else- he works hard. “I have to give him a lot of credit. “He works ten hours a day, then comes home and works on the car every night until 11 at night”.
    Laughing he said, “His girlfriend, Deana is right there too. She loves this racing thing just as much as he does, and it keeps them both out of trouble”.
    Shultz’s stats are nothing short of impressive from his three-year tenure in the entry-level V-8 thriller division. In 53 starts he finished in the top ten 47 times. He can boast about his 27 top five finishes and also claims 5 wins. Most impressively, his latest win came in the season ending “King of the Mountain”, which is the biggest race of the season.
    Even without hitting the speedway, Schultz’s new street stock already has a win. His car was voted the best appearing car in his division at the Laurel Mall race car show earlier this month.