From Scott Daloisio
(Perris, CA, February 18, 2012) With the legendary World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series set to make its only 2012 Southern California appearance in the “NAPA Know How SoCal Showdown” at Perris Auto Speedway on March 10th, there is one lingering question on everyone’s mind. Will Steve Kinser ever win a main event on the famous Riverside County clay oval?
Asking that question about Kinser is not like asking the same for a proverbial back of the pack field filler. After all, the Bloomington, Indiana native is the “Babe Ruth” of sprint car racing. He has been champion of the World of Outlaws Series 20 times and has recorded a mind boggling 561 World of Outlaws main event wins from one end of the country to the other. However, The PAS has been a tough foe for the former high school wrestler and kung fu expert as he has never been the first to the checkered flag on his visits to the Lake Perris Fairgrounds.
“When you mention the World of Outlaws with Perris Auto Speedway, the name Kinser is synonymous with victory lane,” promoter Don Kazarian said with a smile. “However, that was Steve’s cousin Mark who dominated the win charts in the early World of Outlaws shows here. Steve came close a few years ago when he was leading the main on the last lap, but he tangled with a lapped car on the back straightaway and lost the lead and the race.”
Last year, the wavy haired blonde superstar won nine World of Outlaws main events and finished third in points. With this being the World of Outlaws first race at The PAS in five years and their only appearance of 2012, if he does not get the win on March 10th, one has to wonder if he ever will. In June the grandfather will celebrate his 58th birthday and his career is certainly closer to it’s last checkered flag than it’s first green.
“It would be nice to say that “The King” has won here and maybe this is the year,” Kazarian said. “Whether he wins or not, it is still a feather in the track’s cap to say he has raced here. Make no mistake about it, he is greatest driver in the history of the sport. And, even at 57-years-old, more fans come out to see him than any other driver. They will go wild if he wins.”
Kinser has had forays into other forms of racing. He raced in the Indianapolis 500 in 1997 and in 1995 he spent some time in the seat of Raymond Beadle’s Quaker State car in NASCAR Winston Cup competition. Perhaps the most surprising win in his illustrious career came when he won the IROC (International Race of Champions) race at Talladega in 1994. Among the drivers Kinser beat at Talladega were Dale Earnhardt Sr., Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, Danny Sullivan, Rusty Wallace and Al Unser Jr.
The list of World of Outlaws winners at The PAS is comprised of Mark Kinser, Johnny Herrera, Crag Dollansky, Danny Lasoski, Darryn Pittman, Jason Myers and Kerry Madsen. Could this be the year Steve Kinser adds his name to that prestigious roll?
Fans can pick up an exclusive $5.00 off admission coupon only at NAPA stores in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas for the “NAPA Know How SoCal Showdown.” The voucher also provides a free pit pass upgrade.
Fans can order tickets online 24 hours a day at: http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com/ordertickets.asp?p=210&backurl=default.asp
They can also order via telephone by calling (877) 395-8606.
Joining the World of Outlaws on March 10th will be the California Lightning Sprint Cars.
The entire 2012 PAS schedule is listed at the end of this release.
To keep up with all of the latest Perris Auto Speedway news, photos, gossip and receive special offers, sign up at The PAS Facebook site at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php – !/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/11387679868
You can also keep up with the latest news and receive special offers from The PAS Twitter site: http://twitter.com/perrisautospdwy.
Perris Auto Speedway wants to thank its corporate sponsors for the 2012 season. 1-800LoanMart, Aaron’s, Ahern Rentals, All Coast Construction, Amsoil, Ayers Hotel and Spa, Budweiser, Champion Towing, City of Perris, Comfort Inn, Daytona Boat & RV Storage, Frazee Paint, Hoosier Tires, K&N Engineering, P.I.P.E., Pepsi-Cola, Pick-A-Part Auto Salvage, Prolong Super Lubricants, Snap-on, Soboba Casino, Square H, Swedish Speed, Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply, Trench Shoring, US Foods, Valley Auto Salvage and Zanzabuku Sports Lounge.
For more information call The PAS at: (951) 940-0134.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of October’s Southern California Fair), approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit on the Ramona Expressway and go three miles east to the fairgrounds.