Schlafer Racing is more than a team — it’s a family tradition that’s been tearing up the dirt since 1977. It all began when Al Schlafer strapped into the #26 sprint car, launching a legacy fueled by passion, performance, and pride.
The Schlafer Racing Legacy
Three generations. One family. Nearly 50 years of heart, grit, and horsepower.
If you’ve spent any time on Wisconsin clay, you know the name Schlafer. A family that didn’t just show up to race—they built a legacy that has carried through three generations and almost five decades of sprint-car passion.
Where It All Began — Al Schlafer, 1977
The story begins in 1977 when Al Schlafer strapped into the #26 sprint car for the first time. Racing was raw, loud, and unforgiving back then, and Al showed up with the grit it demanded. Week after week, he carved out his place on Wisconsin dirt tracks, unknowingly building the foundation for something much bigger than himself.
A Father-Son Team is Born - Danny Steps In
Fast-forward twenty years to 1997, his son Danny Schlafer climbed into the #25. That moment officially turned Schlafer Racing into one of Wisconsin’s earliest and longest-running father–son sprint-car teams. Fans noticed. Drivers respected it. The pits always felt different when both Schlafer cars rolled out side-by-side.
Danny didn’t just keep the tradition going - he elevated it. Over the years, he became one of the winningest 360 sprint-car drivers in Wisconsin history, earning eight 360 sprint-car championships and more than 22 A-Main wins at the Plymouth Dirt Track. His clean, fierce driving style made the #25 a familiar and respected sight wherever it unloaded.
A New Chapter - Third Generation Arrives
Today, the legacy continues with the third generation stepping in. Cody Schlafer, Al’s grandson and Danny’s son, is preparing for his first full-time 410 sprint-car season in 2026 in the #52. He brings the same determination and fire that the Schlafer name has been known for since the beginning. Alongside him, younger brother, Kasey Schlafer is stepping confidently into his role of wrenching on the cars and co-crew chief along side his grandfather, Al adding a new layer of leadership and family pride to the team.
A Legacy Bigger Than Racing
What makes the Schlafer story powerful isn’t just the wins, championships, or records…it’s the family behind them.
The late nights in the shop. The long drives. The tough rebuilds after heartbreak. The celebrations after unforgettable wins and victories. The pride that has been passed down through generations for nearly 50 years.
This isn’t just a racing team. It’s a tradition. A Wisconsin racing legacy that continues to grow.
Still Racing. Still Competing. Still Schlafer.
What began with Al in 1977 became a father–son team, a multi-championship legacy, and now a third-generation program stepping confidently into the future.
The story isn’t finished. It’s still being written with every new season - with more chapters, more victories, and more heart to come.
The Schlafer legacy isn’t just about racing cars. It’s about racing together, generation after generation.