In the Pits- KSR

BAM and WAM

Ken Schrader may race for BAM, but his wife, Ann, is the president of WAM. WAM is the Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports Inc., a group of women from across the country with an interest in motorsports as well as raising funds for charity.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of WAM, which began in 1965 as the Grand National Racing Wives Aux-iliary. The name was later changed to the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary. Meanwhile, in 1996, The Busch Series Ladies Assoc-iation was formed to support the Busch Series in the same manner as the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary supported the Cup circuit. Last year, the groups combined their efforts and also included the women from the Craftsman Truck Series to create the new organization, WAM.

Along with a change of names, WAM has also changed its mission over the years. Where once it was a social club for the wives of NASCAR drivers, WAM’s mission is now to “enrich the sport of NASCAR with a commitment to its families through fund-raising and wellness programs for those requiring medical or financial assistance.”
WAM holds numerous fund-raising events, including celebrity golf tournaments, celebrity autograph sessions and auctions to fund its various charitable activities. WAM also solicits donations from individual and corporate sponsors.

WAM kicked off its largest fund-raiser ever—a rubber duck race—at this year’s Daytona 500. Fans from all across the country can “adopt” a duck via the WAM Web site. The ducks will be entered and raced in the infield lake at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the final weekend of the 2005 NASCAR season. The grand prize-winner will win two tickets to the 2006 Daytona 500, plus garage credentials, two roundtrip airfares and accommodations.

Ann Schrader would like to see WAM grow to be “30,000 women strong.” Race fans can join by becoming a “Friend of WAM,” which has a $25 membership fee.

For more information about WAM, the duck race fund-raiser or other WAM events, visit the WAM Web site (www.waminc.org).

While Ann Schrader is helping WAM grow in stature, her husband is helping put BAM Racing and the No. 49 Schwan’s Dodge on the NASCAR map. One week after a disappointing run at Daytona, Schrader finished 14th at the Auto Club 500 at the California Speedway in Fontana, CA. The strong finish lifted Schrader into the top 35 in the point standings, assuring BAM a starting spot in subsequent races.