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Du Quoin Rookie, Schuerenberg, Another in Long Line of Southeast Missouri Talent

While a large amount of attention is paid to drivers from the home state of Illinois competing in auto races at the Du Quoin State Fair, Du Quoin’s proximity to adjoining states Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri entices drivers and fans from those states to the Magic Mile as well.

Small communities in the Missouri boot heel have produced a considerable amount of racing talent over the last 30 to 40 years and send yet another talented young driver to compete at Du Quoin in this Saturday night’s Ted Horn 100 presented by Casey’s General Stores.

A few small Missouri towns in the Mississippi flood plain are home to several drivers who have made an impact nationally in motorsports. Jim Hall of Charleston drove dirt track late models in several series and competed on the fairground dirt miles in the ARCA Racing Series during the late 80’s and early 90’s. Sikeston’s Jimmy Brewer was a standout in winged sprint cars who also gave USAC Silver Crown cars a try in the Ted Horn 100 at Du Quoin. Charleston’s Lee Dunn followed a similar path to Brewer’s. Sikeston’s Austin Rettig competed in the ARCA series while another, Daron Clayton, has been spectacular in USAC and winged sprint cars.

The latest young talent from the Missouri boot heel community less than 100 miles from Du Quoin is set to make his Du Quoin debut in Saturday night’s Ted Horn 100 USAC Silver Crown Series event.

At the tender age of 25, Hunter Schuerenburg has accomplished a great deal as a racing driver with a bright future ahead. Starting in karts at the local track Hunter moved to micro sprints at age 10 racing at local tracks including Southern Illinois Raceway in Marion. By age 14, he was a state and national champ, which led Hunter and father Rick to make the quantum leap to sprint cars. He quickly became a front runner in the high-powered machines.

Known as “Hunterpercent,” at age 16, he headed for central Indiana to race sprint cars and was named national Rookie of the Year. By age 18, he amassed double-digit victories for the Indiana-based Jeff Walker team including his first USAC national victory.

In 2011, he finished third in the USAC National Sprint Car standings and ran a full schedule with USAC in 2013 and 2014. In between, Hunter won at local tracks in Indiana and managed to fit in a few midget races as well including the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

For 2015 and 2016, he teamed with Marion, Illinois trucking magnate Tom Via and his Roof Bolt Express company to compete in various winged and non-winged events across the country.

The natural evolution would appear to be a chance at the “big cars.” Hunter ran on the pavement at Gateway in the Silver Crown series earlier this year and finished 8th. At Du Quoin, he is part of a three-car team for legendary owner Gene Nolen whose history in the Silver Crown series stretches back at least three decades, including a win in 1992 at Du Quoin with Johnny Parsons at the wheel.

Saturday marks Schuerenberg’s first attempt at Du Quoin. Race fans from all over the Midwest, including those in southeast Missouri, can catch all the action at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds with practice for the Ted Horn 100 beginning at 5pm and the 64th edition of the 100-mile grind at 8pm.

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