Hendrick Motorsports' Ken Schrader Stunned by Death of Ray Marler
Ken Schrader and the NASCAR community are mourning the loss of Ray Marler, a longtime partner at Pevely and a familiar figure in grassroots and dirt track racing. Ken Schrader Racing announced Marler’s passing in a Facebook post, saying he died at 87 and offering prayers for his family. Marler was best known for his decades-long involvement with Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, where he helped host major World of Outlaws Sprint Car and Late Model events and welcomed fans and drivers alike.
Marler and Schrader co-owned the high-banked 1/3-mile dirt oval in Pevely, Missouri, purchasing it through Raceway Properties, Inc. in 2003 after years of leasing and promoting the facility. Their partnership lasted more than three decades before the track was sold to promoter Josh Carroll in early 2025, closing an important chapter in local racing promotion. Fans, drivers and teams quickly shared memories on social media, describing Marler as a gracious host who turned race nights into family gatherings and helped make the track a home for both competitors and fans.
The announcement comes amid an emotionally heavy period for NASCAR, which has lost several members of its community in recent weeks. Fans also remembered Nick Joanides, who died on December 5 at 55, and Michael Annett, who passed on December 2 at 39. The grief intensified earlier this month with the tragic plane crash that killed Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina and their children, a loss that reverberated across the garage. In posts and comments following news of Marler’s death, supporters offered condolences and recounted personal stories of his kindness and long-standing commitment to the sport.
Tributes highlighted Marler’s quiet but lasting impact: promoting events that drew thousands, fostering community at the Pevely track, and standing alongside Schrader through years of racing and promotion. Whether remembered in stories shared online or in the regular rhythms of local race nights, those who knew him emphasized that Marler helped make racing feel like home for multiple generations. Ken Schrader Racing and the wider racing family asked for prayers and peace for Marler’s wife Sue and their family as they mourn his passing.
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