Donnie Richeson celebrated his first ARCA championship as crew chief in 2017 with Ken Schrader Racing and driver Austin Theriault.  During his Cometic Crew Chief of the Year acceptance speech at the ARCA Banquet in December 2017, Richeson was eloquent in his praise for racing families, legends with whom he worked, including the late Alan Kulwicki, team owners Ken and Ann Schrader and the team’s championship driver Austin Theriault.  He asked that his entire team join him on the stage, saying “I did not win this award alone.  It takes a team and I ask that every member of the KSR team please join me in accepting this award.” 

“The 2017 season could not have been more rewarding for the #52 team.  We worked long hours and did our homework, race after race. Winning 7 of the 20 races last year was definitely the highlight of my career,” Richeson said.  “To see our team in Victory Lane – at a superspeedway, short track, road course, and dirt track in one season - what an accomplishment!

“I am looking forward to the 2018 season with drivers Brandon Grosso and Will Rodgers.  Coming off a championship year instills our team with confidence on and off the race track,” continued Richeson. “These talented young drivers will benefit from what we learned last year.  Track time will be invaluable to both Brandon and Will, as the ARCA Series provides a hands-on education for young drivers.”

Richeson has been racing since his teens.  He has been employed in the motorsports industry since the early 1980s and has worked with the late Alan Kulwicki, Gary Nelson at Sabco with driver Kyle Petty, Kenny Bernstein and driver Brett Bodine, and Jeff Burton.  He managed the Cicci–Welliver Racing team in the then NASCAR Busch Series for five seasons, with five different drivers and was a contender for the championship in 2000 with driver Todd Bodine..

Richeson will manage the Ken Schrader Racing, Inc. teams for his 15th consecutive season. He has served as crew chief in five different series at KSR, Inc. – the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, The Grand National West Series, The Southwest Series, The K & N East Series and the ARCA Series Presented By Menards.  To date, Richeson has 23 wins to his credit with the team – in both the NASCAR and ARCA ranks.

Richeson will lead a team of seasoned crewmen for KSR, Inc. – Sean Eaton, Jimmy Fallon, Bill Fife, Heath Gleaton, Michael Murphy, Steve Scharr and Matt Weber.

Personal:
Birthdate:              July 9, 1960
Hometown:           Owensboro, Ky.
Residence:           Concord, N.C.
Family:                   Wife:  Beth; Children:  Josh and Kaleb