From Terry Schattschneider collection
(Gene’s profile, contained below, is only a small snapshot of his great career. Thank you for your patience as we will expand his profile in the future.)
Gene Schattschneider began his long and successful racing career in 1961 at the speed plant in Algona when it was still the half-mile track.
His first race car was a 1936 Chevrolet with many of the parts to complete the race car purchased from Kossuth Motors in Algona.
Schattschneider, Larry Sowers and Lamont Wellendorf (as a silent partner) were the car owners. Dwight Cook provided the metal needed for the car from Cook’s Metal. His first car number was #36 and painted in Schattschneider’s trademark orange paint.
In Schattscneider’s long career, he raced from 1961 until the summer of 1993. He passed away in January of 1994, truly racing for most of his life.
He amassed well over 225 wins and over 10 season championships. In 1969, while working 50-60 hours per week at his construction job, Schattschneider raced the Kossuth Speedway in Algona on Friday’s, the Boone Speedway on Saturday’s and at the track in Alta on Sunday’s. He won all three track championships that year.
Schattschneider, known as the ‘Flyin’ Dutchman’, was revered and well liked by many. He had many fans all across Iowa who closely followed his career.
