Tin Soldier Race Cars burst onto my radar at Duck X Productions’ No Mercy X in 2019. The sheer beauty of their pristine white Mustang race car instantly drew me in. Snapping photos before Jason Terrell and Brad Schnieders even noticed, I was captivated. Once we started talking, it felt like an instant connection. While their Limited 235 class car, boasting a stock block, stock-headed turbocharged LS engine, is undeniably impressive, the heart of Tin Soldier’s story lies deeper. It’s a narrative woven from friendship, ambition, and seizing the perfect opportunity – a journey that mirrors my own path in the high-performance automotive world.
When I connected with Jason later to delve into the details for this feature, I anticipated a deep dive into the technical prowess of the car. Instead, Jason unveiled the real secret behind their success: the people. It’s a testament to the collaborative spirit and dedication that fuels Tin Soldier Race Cars. The car’s performance – and it is a record-holder in the turbo Limited 235 class – is a direct reflection of their meticulous craftsmanship and the vision that sparked Tin Soldier Race Cars. It’s this blend of skill and aspiration that truly defines them.
The Genesis of Tin Soldier Race Cars: A Legacy of Racing Passion
Jason Terrell’s roots in drag racing run deep. His father, Ron, a celebrated NHRA Super Stock racer, is the inspiration behind the company name. “Tin Soldier is all about my dad,” Jason emphasized.
Ron Terrell’s drag racing journey began in the 1960s. His prized possession? A ’69 COPO Camaro, a showroom find with a “blown” engine – or so the seller thought. A simple fix of crossed plug wires revealed its true potential. Ron acquired the COPO for a mere $500. He transformed it, adding tubs and massive tires, christening it “The One Tin Soldier,” after a song that resonated deeply with him. Even at 77, Ron remains a formidable force in NHRA Super Stock, proving his racing mettle at the US Nationals.
Jason fondly remembers his trackside childhood alongside his father. While Super Stock racing wasn’t his personal calling, he dabbled in junior dragsters – finding them less than thrilling – before embracing motocross until his early twenties. Years later, a local track’s heads-up event, Thursday Night Lights, reignited his passion for drag racing.
“Heads-up racing grabbed me,” Jason explained. “I became obsessed with X275, even without knowing anyone in it. YouTube videos of X275 pioneers fueled my ambition. I started building a turbo LS third-gen Camaro in my garage, completely self-taught. I was buying parts, learning as I went, using a MIG welder. I wanted top-tier quality but couldn’t afford professional fabrication.”
Two TIG welding classes at community college honed his skills, complementing his high school sheet metal fabrication courses and years of hands-on experience assisting his father. His welding talent quickly became marketable.
“I landed a job before finishing the program, never even graduated. I was still working on my projects and began taking on side work. Race car parts aren’t cheap! My wife and I had just bought a house, so extra income was always welcome,” he recalled.
A Chance Encounter: The Spark that Ignited Tin Soldier Race Cars
A job change led Jason to a company closer to home. Then, a Facebook message from Brad Schnieders, a Facebook friend he’d never actually met, inquiring about welding techniques, set the stage for a pivotal meeting. Jason visited Brad’s fabrication shop, offering welding guidance. This chance encounter was the genesis of Tin Soldier Race Cars.
“This sounds crazy, but walking into that dimly lit, grimy shop, Brad stood out like a beacon,” Jason recounted. “I immediately knew we were destined to work together. Our friendship blossomed, fueled by constant conversations about fabrication and welding.”
An opportunity arose to build a roll cage for a time attack car. Having only installed pre-made kits before, Jason proposed a collaboration to Brad. Working in Jason’s two-car garage, they tackled the time attack car. “My weld quality combined with Brad’s fitment… people started clamoring for our work,” Jason said.
Around the same time, Jason’s oilfield job became precarious due to fluctuating fuel prices, adding to his unease about job security.
“I mustered the courage to call Brad one night and said, ‘I believe if we team up, we can build some of the best race cars in the country. We can do this.’ Brad felt the same. Getting my wife on board was another story! I had to explain that I felt divinely guided to partner with someone I’d just met, and he was in, so she should be too,” he chuckled.
Taking the Leap: From Side Hustle to a Thriving Race Car Business
Initially skeptical, Jason’s wife became supportive after a powerful dream. In it, he stood at a cliff’s edge, contemplating a jump into the water below. He hesitated, almost falling, then the dream restarted. This time, he ran and leaped confidently, landing smoothly in the water.
“I woke up feeling like it was a sign,” Jason explained. “A crossroads where I could cautiously edge towards my destiny or take a leap of faith. I told my wife about the dream, and she said, ‘I think you’re crazy, but I’m in. Just no household money for this business.’”
With minimal funds, just tools and ambition, Jason and Brad pooled leftover money from the time attack build to rent a 1,200 sq-ft building for $600/month – in a less desirable part of town, conveniently located between their existing jobs. Their plan was to run Tin Soldier part-time for a few years.
“The landlord was desperate to rent it. He even asked my dad if he’d cover rent if we failed! He had zero faith,” Jason laughed. “After rent, deposit, and utilities, we had about $500 left. A Harbor Freight run later, we were officially in the race car business.” At 25 and 26 years old, they bootstrapped their way into existence.
Their first paying job, installing a roll bar in a diesel truck for a local kid named Logan, wasn’t glamorous, but it was work. Brainstorming names, they settled on Tin Soldier Race Cars, building upon Jason’s Instagram handle, Tin Soldier Welding. The name resonated – not using either of their names, honoring Jason’s father, and allowing for future expansion beyond just the two of them.
Building a Name in the Race Car World: From Local Jobs to National Recognition
The week Tin Soldier Race Cars launched in June 2015, Jason, an ordained minister, officiated a wedding in Louisville. Seeking pre-wedding activities, he visited Ohio Valley Dragway’s Prize Fight heads-up race. Business cards absent, he networked, showing phone photos to gauge interest in their fledgling company.
He sought out Kent, known for his X275 car expertise. Spotting a sleek black Fox Mustang, Jason approached, finding Kent underneath it. The car belonged to renowned X275 racer “Fast” Jack Vanover. This chance meeting catapulted TSRC forward. Vanover commissioned them to build a new X275 competition car – Serial Number 0001.
“We had done roll cages, but this was a full chassis build, suspension layout, everything. We incorporated Jack’s extensive knowledge,” Jason recalled.
Tragically, Jack passed away before the car’s completion. However, Terrell, Schnieders, and the TSRC team remain eternally grateful for the doors Jack opened. At Jack’s funeral, they met racer Martin Connelley, who championed them further. Connelley introduced them to Mark Menscer of Menscer Motorsports, who, impressed by their work on Jack’s car, became a mentor and friend.
“Mark believed in us as builders and business owners. Our strong relationship with him is a major reason our race cars perform so well,” Jason emphasized.
The Budget Beast: Showcasing Race Car Expertise and Innovation
Their Mustang race car is a testament to budget-conscious brilliance, designed to showcase their skills without excessive spending. Remarkably, the engine relies entirely on stock LS components – from the 6.0 block to truck cylinder heads and a 4.8-liter crankshaft. The long-block investment? Around $4,500. Yet, it’s the quickest turbocharged car in the Limited 235 class at Duck X Productions events. They use it for parts development and innovation, with most work done in-house, outsourcing only specialized tasks like cylinder head porting.
Since its inception, Tin Soldier Race Cars has relocated three times, now occupying a packed 4,000 sq-ft facility in Covington, Kentucky. Their race car parts line has exceeded expectations, now constituting 30% of their business within just over a year. Their long-term vision is to shift towards parts, potentially reducing car builds. This transition might necessitate another expansion, a challenge the six-member Tin Soldier Race Cars team embraces. Change and overcoming challenges are, after all, integral to their DNA.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Race Car Enthusiasts and Dreamers
Jason’s philosophy is simple yet profound: “I want to inspire people to dream. As kids, we’re told we can do anything. Then, around 16 or 17, people push us to ‘think logically,’ which is nonsense. We must keep dreaming, thinking outside the box, pursuing what others deem impossible. I want our story to ignite that spark in others, to chase their buried passions.” Tin Soldier Race Cars is more than just a business; it’s a testament to the power of dreams, friendship, and relentless dedication in the world of high-performance race cars.
