Neuenschwander Eyes MSR Xtreme Sprints

Story By Kyle Larson
Photos by Dave Sink

ANDERSON, Ind. (March 1, 2013) - 2012 Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series (HOSS) runner-up Chris Neuenschwander plans to compete in a majority of the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series events this season. The New Haven, Ind. racer will also make select starts in HOSS and will return to Anderson Speedway for the 65th Annual Pay Less Little 500. He is teaming up with veteran Ron Koehler in 2013.

“I am excited to see what this season brings, after a great season in 2012,” said Chris Neueschwander.

In 2012, Neuenschwander finished second in the HOSS final points to champion Joe Swanson. The top highlight included visiting the winner’s circle at Anderson Speedway in the July visit on the high-banked quarter-mile oval. Other strong performances took place at New Paris (IN) Speedway with a third place, second at Angola Motorsport (IN) Speedway and a solid fifth place effort at Baer Field (IN) Speedway.

The Ft. Wayne, Ind. competitor made his debut in the Pay Less Little 500 last May. He started in the 27th position and finished 212 laps with a final result of 24th.

“Earning a starting position meant a lot not only to me, but to my father. Making the Little 500 was one of the things on my dad’s bucket list. We had a lot of setbacks in practice and qualifying that we were able to overcome. My support team never lost hope and on Friday went out for the last session of qualifying and gave it my all. After the qualifying run, I glanced at the scoreboard and looked at the time and my heart dropped. It was a great thrill. When it came time for the Pay Less Little 500, I wasn’t sure what to expect. During the race I lost brakes and we decided to park the car.”

Nuenschwander has an extensive racing background before moving in the Winged Sprint Cars. He won five championships in karts including two national championships. He then progressed to mini sprints scoring a few feature wins and second in points in the pavement series.

He then advanced to the Modifieds notching some feature victories and garnering rookie of the year honors at Bear Field Speedway. Neuesnchwander was also the top rookie in USA Modifieds and placed third in championship standings.

In 2009, Neuenschwander moved to Winged Sprint Cars driving for Ron Koehler. The duo teamed up to place third in the HOSS points and earned rookie of the year for Neuenschwander. The following season, Neuenschwander earned his first feature victory at Angola.

“Winning is the best feeling in the world when you know all the hard work and effort it takes just to run up front,” said Neuenschwander of earning victories in HOSS.

Neuenschwander was sidelined for a good part of the 2011 season after a hard crash at Salem Speedway in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series. The season ended on a strong note when returning to racing producing two top-three finishes to close out the season. That success carried over to a career best season in 2012 and he is looking for continued success in 2013.