Dale Shearer Bio
Dale J. Shearer (born August 26, 1959) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 98 Toyota Camry for Shearer Speed Racing. Shearer began his motorsports career later in life and has competed primarily as a driver-owner, establishing his own racing team.
Early Life and Background
Dale Shearer was born on August 26, 1959, in Chillicothe, Missouri. He developed an interest in racing at an early age after his father worked as a pit steward for Kline’s Speedway. This early exposure to motorsports planted the seed for what would become his driving career.
Shearer did not begin competing in races until the age of twenty-one. His early racing experience involved driving street cars that had been converted into race cars at various dirt tracks. He currently resides in Alhambra, Illinois, where he works as a computer programmer for the Madison County, Illinois, government.
Path to NASCAR
Shearer’s journey to professional stock car racing followed an unconventional path. He balanced a career in local government with his racing ambitions, competing part-time while working full-time. This dual commitment shaped his approach to motorsports.
Shearer eventually formed his own racing team, Shearer Speed Racing, which allowed him to compete on his own terms. His persistence in the sport led to opportunities in the ARCA Menards Series, where he established himself as a consistent competitor.
Dale Shearer Career
Early Career (2008-2012)
Shearer made his ARCA Re/Max Series debut in 2008 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Driving his self-owned No. 73 Ford, he finished 28th due to handling issues. He made two additional starts that season at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds and Salem Speedway.
In 2009, Shearer continued with his self-owned team and earned a best finish of 27th at Berlin Raceway. After sitting out the 2010 season, he returned in 2011 with starts at Springfield and DuQuoin. By 2012, Shearer entered five races and achieved his best finish to date, placing seventeenth at Winchester Speedway.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2014-2019)
Shearer ran five races during the 2014 season. At Kansas Speedway, he was involved in a multi-car crash with Galen Hassler and Tom Berte, finishing 26th. He continued running a majority of his races from 2015 to 2018 with his own team, steadily building experience and track time.
In 2019, Shearer collaborated with Kimmel Racing at Madison International Speedway, driving the No. 69 Ford. He finished eighteenth and last due to clutch issues but continued to compete in two additional races at Elko Speedway and Springfield that season.
Shearer Speed Racing Era (2023-Present)
After a hiatus from ARCA competition from 2020 to 2022, Shearer returned in 2023 with his own team, now operating as Shearer Speed Racing. He drove the No. 98 Toyota with sponsorship from Josh’s Eggs and ran the full ARCA Menards Series East schedule. Shearer achieved his first career top-ten finish at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, placing tenth. He finished sixth in the final East Series points standings.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shearer has demonstrated persistence and consistency throughout his career. His ability to maintain a racing program while balancing a full-time career shows his dedication to the sport. He has improved steadily over the years, achieving his best results in recent seasons.
Notable Races and Milestones
Shearer’s career milestone came in 2023 when he earned his first top-ten finish at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. He also achieved an eleventh-place finish at Flat Rock Speedway that season. His sixth-place finish in the 2023 ARCA Menards Series East points standings represented his most successful season to date.
Dale Shearer Career Wins
Dale Shearer has competed across multiple seasons in the ARCA Menards Series, focusing on consistency and improvement rather than accumulating wins. His career highlights include top-ten finishes and strong points standings.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
Shearer earned his first career top-ten finish in 2023 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, placing tenth. He followed that with an eleventh-place finish at Flat Rock Speedway. His most successful season came in 2023, when he finished sixth in the ARCA Menards Series East points standings.
Other Wins & Performances
Throughout his career, Shearer has competed primarily in the ARCA Menards Series and its regional divisions. His best early career finish was seventeenth at Winchester Speedway in 2012. He has steadily improved his performance since returning to competition in 2023.
Dale Shearer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Shearer’s connection to motorsports began through his father, who worked as a pit steward at Kline’s Speedway. This early exposure influenced Dale’s decision to pursue racing later in life. He has maintained a family-oriented approach to his racing program.
Personal Life
Shearer is married to his wife, Dianna. The couple has two children and four grandchildren. He balances his racing career with his work as a computer programmer for Madison County, Illinois, demonstrating his commitment to both his professional and motorsports pursuits.
2025 Season Performance
Following a successful 2023 season, Shearer announced plans for continued competition in 2024, including the full ARCA Menards Series East schedule and attempts at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. His experience with Shearer Speed Racing and sponsorship from Josh’s Eggs positioned him for another season of competition.
Looking ahead to 2025, Shearer’s established relationship with his team and sponsor provides a foundation for potential continued participation in the ARCA Menards Series. His steady improvement and points standings success in 2023 suggest he will remain competitive in future seasons.
