Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Kinser Overcomes Kings Royal Showdown
Monday, 14 July 2008 - Rossburg, OH

Steve Kinser made a thrilling comeback from 18th to 5th during the turbulent 25th running of Eldora Speedway’s Kings Royal. Kinser was cheered on by the support of nearly the entire crowd after World of Outlaw officials made a questionable call during time-trials. It was far from the first of disputable calls made by Outlaw officials this season. Outlaw officials allowed Donny Schatz an additional lap of qualifying, after he had taken two laps and timed in 20th, citing interference during Schatz’s first lap. Tempers flared in the pits, as nearly everyone demanded an explanation. Kinser had even more reason to question the call, as he was knocked from the inversion.

Schatz had taken his two laps of qualifying. On his first lap, he was 24th quick and on his second he was 20th. He ran on the bottom for both laps, his own mistake. After completing his second lap, Schatz drove to the scales. It was after this that he was sent out for his additional lap, where he ran the top and qualified 6th. If there was a soul that believed Schatz’s first laps had been hindered by “interference,” it was a silent one. Answers were wanted. If there was a car in his way, why did Schatz not lift? If it was the first lap, why had officials not thrown the yellow or kept the green flag out instead of the white for his second lap, as they have always done in the past? Typically the only time a car a pulls in and goes back out on the track for an additional lap is when a car interferes during their second lap.

“It’s a shame that we all had to deal with that tonight,” said Kinser. “I’m taking some blame, I should have qualified better and I wouldn’t have been in the situation I was. Then again, even if I hadn’t been that guy, someone else would have been. It shouldn’t have mattered who it was, the whole thing was wrong.”

Kinser was infuriated with Outlaws Series Director, Carlton Reimers, and Outlaw officials who were unable to produce anything but a flimsy defense for themselves. Kinser gave his crew the order to load his car up.

“We got shafted by the Outlaw officials here tonight,” said Kinser. “It’s sad things like this have to happen. Everyone here got cheated. The Outlaws have people out here that don’t know anything about racing. I don’t understand how they come up with some of the calls they do. It makes me think that they just might be that stupid. It’s scary.”

It looked as if Kinser was done for the night. With the car loaded, Kinser signed autographs for fans who applauded his stand but expressed disappointment that he wouldn’t be racing. Kinser and his crew chief, Scott Gerkin, took it all to heart. Their fans wanted to see them race, and truth be told, they both wanted to race. Both Kinser and Gerkin have racing in their blood, there are few in the world of sprint car racing that have the desire and passion that the pair have for what they do. The two decided that they weren’t going to let the Outlaw officials get the better of them and unloaded the car just in time for the start of Kinser’s heat. The drama didn’t cease there, Kinser went out and blew a motor in his heat race.

“I didn’t have my head on in that heat race,” said Kinser. “I forgot to hit the secondary bypass and burnt the motor up. I let those guys [Outlaw officials] get to me. I shouldn’t have let it happen and I probably would have been good in the heat.”

While track officials worked on the racing surface, Kinser collected himself and got focused. He won the 12 lap B-Main, which started him outside the ninth row of the 40-lap A-Feature. The Eldora Speedway officials did a commendable job preparing the race track. After being rained out on Saturday night, they started Sunday’s show early, still in the daytime. It was expected that the track would lay rubber early, but track officials worked the track throughout the show and it began to lay rubber only near the end of the race. It was fortunate for Kinser who was a man on mission, making his way to fifth by the time the checkered flag waved. Kinser wanted the win, but for nearly heading home after qualifying, fifth was alright, and Kinser credited the fans.

“We were able to salvage a fifth out this night,” said Kinser. “I really want to thank the fans out there. There was that point that all I wanted to do was pack it up. I think we had a lot of support here tonight. Listening to the people who came and got autographs and the cheers from the crowd was the reminder I needed that we were here to race for them and for ourselves. I wish I could have finished a little farther up, but I guess we’re going to have to give it a try next time.”

Try again he will when the Outlaws head out East, making their second stop to Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, PA on Tuesday night. They wrap up the week-end with a two-day visit to Williams Grove Speedway on Friday and Saturday and then Sunday at Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, NY. With nothing left to say about the drama that took place at Eldora, the Steve Kinser Racing team will focus their efforts on visiting victory lane here in the four races of this upcoming week.

Keep updated with all the latest SKR news and results by visiting them online at www.stevekinser.com.

I love it!

Former Owner/President of FAST and Black Swamp Media
Group. Currently just another fan in the stands.

The only thing more annoying than a driver that whines with every breath (Schatz) is a driver that allows his daughter to whine with every post on his website.

The fans, ha! The almighty dollar was the only reason to have stayed and raced,,,,,,, purse money and the Quaker State TV exposure dollars coerced them into unloading. Similar to the reasons he bailed on the NST and his partners (lose use of the term, partners) he decided to follow some of the (arguably) buffoons that work for the Outlaws,

If it was, in fact, "only for the fans", that caused his return he would have done a service by simply leaving the car in the hauler and give them a $3.00 tshirt that he sells for $20.

Posting that now is nothing but sour grapes.

it seems like mr. kinser has forgotten when the shoe was on the other foot and the times the whole pits were wondering about the favored treatment he has recieved. he more than anyone should know that the poster boy gets all the perks. maybe thats why he is so pissed. it seems his poster has been taken down in the woo office. it looks like the woo cares as much about kinser as the DNC cares about hillary.

Poor Steve...

This is one of the most awsome things I have seen in a while. This is what makes "outlaw" racing.

I am laying 3-1 odds right now on Kinser at Lernerville and probably 5-1 at the Grove. This is just what he needed to light the fire under him.

AWESOME

If looks could kill............

at 7 cents a share maybe they are selling off the assets of worth...

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

Here's a crazy thought...

What are the chances Steve Kinser finishes his career with the All Star Circuit of Champions? He'd get a chance to race at tracks in the area where he started his career, be honored for his accomplishments at every stop and be the star of the series again...maybe even win another championship or two. Maybe even bring Kraig along with him to continue the Kinser legacy.

Imagine what this could do for winged sprint car racing in Indiana, as well as everywhere else that traditionally books the All Stars.

If Steve feels so strongly that he's underappreciated, this could be an interesting alternative to what he's doing now.

Like I say...crazy...but why not?

Here's a crazier thought... maybe he should have stuck with the NST and tried to make something of it instead of folding when it wasn't easy and running back to the WoO.

You know, being a Kinser fan since the first time I ever watched him race. This is kinda a goofy deal, if Steve was the only one mad, that is one thing? But two other drivers were just as upset! They may not have loaded up, which I wish Steve wouldn't have done, but in the end, you need to be racing with a organization that can make the calls right!! The reason Schatz changed is line on the third lap is pretty clear! One thing is for sure, we are in the heat of the summer, tempers are short, and we still have a long way to go till the end of the season.

C'mon, people, Steve left the NST for the same reason that he left the USA with Karl.....and he pulled the 11k car with TK off of the road.

He was not going to spend HIS money to support a race series/circuit...if and when Q and all of the others decide to quit sponsoring SKR, Steve will retire...

He's no dummy - he's figured out that if he can get someone else to pay the bills, he'll race. And Dana and Steve have figured out that t-shirt sales can really supplement his income nicely.

The only issue I have with SK and others, is that the racers who are paying full price for tires. parts, or anything else, are subsidizing SK and others who are on the "deal".

And wright-one is correct - SK has gotten more than a few calls in his years on the circuit....

Chuck.....

well it seems like Guy Webb has a knack for "bad calls" too. so the All-Star thing might not be that great. isn't that why Danny Smith and Brian Paulus don't run there no more?

Poor, poor Kinser...pay back's a mother f - er Steve! I wonder if Don Lamberti or Guy Stockbridge feel sorry for you?

You've already established your status as a "whore", your just pissed that your price is slipping.

I sure wish my friend Fred Brownfield was still alive!

Holy crap do I have an idea...call Richard Petty and start your own series.

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi

Actually I would like to see him come back to Indiana and run non-wing again as well as wings. Maybe some more USAC and local shows.

Nice! Couldn't agree more. Funny how after 20+ years of being the WoO poster child, he decides to leave and comes back after one year and expects to be the star. It's now the Donny and Joey show and if Jason and Craig keep it up it'll be the four of them. Too bad for Kinser, at least he's still got Q supporting his lifestyle. For all those that wished he'd left the race, me too!!!! Leave the series for all I care. Can't race night in and night out and keep up with those boys - must be TOASTING his a## preety bad!!

Put this derelict in a black/green Quaker State fire suit, sans Nomex underwear of course...

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi

Care to be more specific? I realize that vague accusations are par for the course around here but you must think that you have something to back up your comment.

...

IF I WASNT FOR STEVE , SAMMY,BLANEY, DOTY, HAUD, JACOBS BROS, DANNY SMITH, STEVIE SMITH THESE GUYS PAVED THE ROAD TO MAKE IT WHAT IT IS TODAY COME TALK SOME TRASH ABOUT WHEN DONNY WINS TITLES AND 500 + WINS WITCH THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN .

Kinser knew how to wear a championship crown with way more CLASS than the mulligan lap DONUT CHOMPER!

maybe someone will eat a WHEEL for dinner?

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May