By Tony Veneziano
Barberville, FL-February 1, 2010-Steve Kinser and Tony Stewart have a lot in common. They are both from Indiana, living just 35 miles apart. They both grew up racing sprint cars anywhere, anytime. Each has won numerous championships and countless races from coast-to-coast. They both even ran in the Indianapolis 500 in the same year. The most important parallel between the two racers is that they both love sprint car racing and have an endless passion for the sport. Now the two legends have teamed up as the 20-time World of Outlaws champion will drive for Tony Stewart Racing on the World of Outlaws trail in 2010.
Kinser, who will be chasing his record 21st World of Outlaws championship, will open the season aboard the No. 11 Bass Pro Shops Maxim owned by the NASCAR star in the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park, February 5-7. Kinser was one of just three drivers that finished in the Top-10 on all three nights of the World of Outlaws portion of the event last year and finished in the Top-10 on all six of the nights of sprint car racing in 2009 at the half-mile.
“I am running for Tony Stewart, but I’ll still a lot of control over it,” shared Kinser. “It does take a little bit of the financial burden away from what I was doing before. It’s going to be nice to run for Tony Stewart Racing and to get a paycheck. Now all I have to do is get out and win some races to make sure that I get a little bigger paycheck.”
Kinser will be driving the car his son Kraig drove for the past two seasons when he was a part of Tony Stewart Racing. In turn, Kraig will be piloting the No. 11K machine for Steve Kinser Racing on the World of Outlaws tour in 2010.
“We made a little bit of a swap on race cars,” Kinser noted. “It’s something that Tony Stewart Racing and Steve Kinser Racing decided on. Kraig will drive my car and I’ll drive the car that he drove for Tony (Stewart) last year. We’re trying to make it a win-win situation for Kraig, for myself and for Tony. I think we have a pretty good combination going.”
Kinser enters the 2010 season with a record 552 career World of Outlaws A-Feature wins to go along with his amazing 20 series titles. He finished fourth in points last season which marked the 26th time in his career that he has finished fourth or better in the series standings.
“I still the love the sport and still enjoy racing,” Kinser said. “I still enjoy the competition. I’ve been doing this so long, that I don’t know what will happen in a few years, when I decide to get out of the driving part of it. I hope to be involved in racing somewhat. Right now our thoughts are on this Bass Pro Shops car and winning some races and try to win the championship with it.”
The 2010 campaign will begin for Kinser in the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. He made his debut in the season opening event at the half-mile in the Sunshine State back in 1977. Over the year he has won four times at the track, including in 2005 with the World of Outlaws and has 20 Top-10 finishes in his career at Volusia.
A full week of Sprint Car racing during the DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH kicks off on Feb. 2 with a test session, followed by two nights under the All Star Circuit Champions banner (Feb. 3-4) before the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series takes center stage Friday through Sunday (Feb. 5-7).
To purchase tickets online for the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park visit: http://www.DIRTcarNationals.com or call Volusia Speedway Park at 386-985-4402. Every ticket purchased is a free fan pit pass.
Race fans unable to make the annual trek south to Volusia Speedway Park for the 39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, need not worry. All 12 nights (Feb. 2nd-13th) of the Nationals will air LIVE once again on www.dirtvision.com beginning approximately at 7pm each night.
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, KSE Race Products, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo; Engine Builder’s Challenge participants Don Ott Racing Engines, Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines; and Chassis Builder’s Challenge participants J&J Auto Racing, Maxim Racing and XXX Race Company.