SHELDON HAUDENSCHILD

the business aspect and now I can focus on my personal responsibilities as a driver.

DE: Being a seasoned vet on tour, are there any places that have become must sees or must stops when you are traveling through

SH: Lake Tahoe and Lake Havasu are two of our “must stops”.

DE: If you had to name one race on the schedule this season that you want to see improvement from last year, which would it be?

SH: Probably Knoxville, I feel it’s a place we could be good at but have just been a little off.

DE: Fans have seen you be successful on all types of tracks and just about any part of the racing surface, but is there any type of track or part of the track you actually prefer?

SH: Not necessarily but there’s nothing more fun than ripping the fence at Eldora.

DE: Branching off of that line of thinking - is there a process or way that you assess each track prior to racing or throughout the night that helps you develop a plan?

SH: Just from experience, you kind of have a game plan going in, and then tweak it as the night progresses.

DE: In 2021, we interviewed your dad in regard to his retirement, we asked him about watching you race, and he shared with us that it makes him nervous; what is it about your driving style that you think gets even the Wild Child nervous?

SH: It might have a little to do with my driving style, but perhaps more to do with being his son.

DE: A few times we’ve heard you mention in interviews how your comfortability of driving up top on the edge or as we all like to call it “the Haud Line” is a result of your experience in motocross. Do you think people overlook how much your motocross history has influenced your racing?

SH: I definitely think people overlook it because they don’t quite understand it. Many of these guys grew up racing ¼ midgets but from age five to sixteen, I rode dirt bikes every week.

DE: In some previous interviews, you’ve shared with fans that the decision to cross over from motocross to sprint cars wasn’t always an easy one, what ultimately helped you make the decision to switch?

SH: The longevity of sprint car racing as a sport. At age 28 now, if had I “made it” on dirt bikes, I would be nearing retirement age.

DE: We’re sure you get asked a lot about many of your favorite racing memories in a sprint car, but what are some of your favorite motocross memories?

SH: Growing up racing, even when my dad was on the road I would travel with friends to different events. My favorite races were probably in Florida over Thanksgiving to race Mini Os. Because it was my dad’s off-season, he was always able to be there.

DE: In the last few years you have just been on the outside of winning your first points championship with the World of Outlaws, has this been at all discouraging coming so close, or has it motivated you even more?

SH: I don’t feel it’s discouraging at all. I feel like we have been close, but championships take time, and we’re in it for the long haul.

DE: Currently, the crossover of sprint car drivers to late models is at an explosive rate with the Eldora Million, in a recent MRN interview you hinted that your dad might come out of retirement for a late model but what about you? Do you have the itch to hop in one ever or for just the Million?

SH: Maybe down the road, our rigorous schedule prevents us from expanding to other divisions.

DE: What about other forms of racing? Have you ever thought about wanting to race anything else?

SH: You always think about it, but I’m pretty happy where I’m at.

DE: Being sponsored by NOS Energy Drink has afforded you many opportunities like driving drift cars blind folded for their YouTube channel. What has been your favorite experience so far? Are there any that you were nervous about beforehand?

SH: Probably competing in various challenges at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas both in the sprint car and in Forsberg’s drift car.

DE: On occasion we’ve heard about your “quirks” such as vacuuming the motorhome frequently, or even your dog Pella. What are some that would likely shock fans? Are there any that you would consider prerace rituals?

SH: I put my left sock on first, left leg into the suit first, left shoe before the right. I don’t know if that qualifies as a habit since I’m not really superstitious, but that’s how it’s done.

DE: You have an extensive helmet collection. What would you say is your most meaningful one? What one comes with the wildest story? Is there one that remains elusive that you’d love to hunt down?

SH: Many of my dad’s are my favorites, most have cool stories or wins connected with them that are conversation points when people see them. One of them in particular was worn when a nerf bar came off of the car in front of him, and went through his helmet into his mouth, knocking him out. When he woke up, he was kind of pinned in there, and had to pull it out. He ended up going to the hospital. I have very few Pennzoil helmets, so I’ve been trying to track down as many as I can.

DE: What are some of your favorite memories or favorite facts about having some of the most extremely diehard fans in the world of sprint car racing?

SH: Haud Nation is definitely a passionate group of people. There are fans that have shaved my number into their hair, have our logo tattooed on them, or named their dog in reference to myself or the team. They’re a group that is noticeable at the track for their love of the sport and excitement for the team.

DE: Much like your father, you are almost always seen as cool, calm, and collected. Are there any times on or at the track that you aren’t? Are there times when you ever get a little nervous or heated?

SH: I try not to, if I am it’s typically directed at myself when I feel I could have done better.

DE: From your grandfather to your dad, you were born into quite the racing legacy that draws a lot of eyes and likely some expectations of your performance. From the outside, it is without argument that you lit expectations on fire and surpassed what we could define as living up to the legacy, which let’s be real, on the track there are times that you showcase what Wild Child represents - but in your eyes, how do you view it? Do you feel you’ve lived up to the history books? Have you ever felt the pressure that comes from the family legacy?

SH: I don’t really feel the pressure. What my dad has accomplished has been pretty amazing. In my eyes, my dad is the greatest both on and off the track. He is a good person to model my actions off of and to have in my corner. I have a long lineage of racing on both sides of the family, all come with a long list of accomplishments. I’d like to extend that list, rather than focus on competing with the history of the Sweeney and Haudenschild ranks.

DE: Ideal situation - you get to write exactly how your story in sprint car racing goes - retirement party is tomorrow - What are the highlights?

What do the history books say about Sheldon Haudenschild? How did you impact the sport?

SH: Ideally I have the ability to retire when I’m ready to, having accomplished the everchanging goals I set for myself on a year to year basis. Of course, that list includes Crown Jewel wins and championships. Above all else, making good relationships along the way, and setting a worthy example for fans, sponsors, and competitors alike.