Funeral held for Fargo race driver

WEST FARGO, N.D. — Fellow race car drivers gave John Schulz a final tribute at the fairgrounds in West Fargo.

The longtime Fargo driver died in a crash Saturday night at Red River Valley Speedway. On Thursday, 10 “Modified” stock car drivers led the hearse around the fairgrounds parking lot following his funeral in a nearby building.

“It was very fitting,” said Bryan Schultz, who manages both the fairgrounds and the track. “(Racing) is a brotherhood, it’s a family thing. There’s a lot of sadness when you have somebody that’s been in the race industry for 23 years and having that happen. It’s tough on everybody.”

Schulz, who was known as “Johnny 1-5” based on his car number, was 47. His was the fourth death at the speedway, and the first since Greg Nogowski was killed in 1992.

“He was just a great guy,” said crew chief and longtime friend Terry Busack. “It’s real tough. It’s probably the toughest day of my life.”