By Shawn Miller
ELBRIDGE, N.Y. – Oct. 6, 2012 – On a frigid Saturday night, Steve Kinser found a familiar, yet distant, place.
Mired in a slump since late July, Kinser braved the chilly and windy weather at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, where he capitalized in traffic to pass polesitter Chad Kemenah and pull away to his fourth World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series win of the season at the NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week XLI event.
It was Kinser’s 12th victory in 35 World of Outlaws events at the fast 5/8-mile and it snapped a 40-race winless streak in points events.
“We’ve been struggling up a storm,” Kinser said. “It just felt good to get out and win a race. We’ve been having some trouble. It’ll make it a lot better ride home, I can tell you that.”
Kinser’s last win was at Dodge City Raceway Park on June 22, when he was in the thick of the World of Outlaws championship race. Since then, Kinser has struggled to find consistency and he entered Saturday fifth in the title chase – 283 points out of the lead.
That mattered little on Saturday, when Kinser qualified seventh quickest and finished second in his heat race to advance to the dash. He then drove from fourth to second to start the 25-lap feature on the outside of Kemenah.
Kemenah rocketed to the lead at initial wave of the green flag and held a sizeable advantage prior to the first caution, when Bobby Breen spun to a stop in turn three on the fifth lap. Kemenah chose the outside lane on the double-file restart and again began to build on his lead before closing in on traffic on lap 11.
However, as Kemenah was about to lap his first car, Kraig Kinser stopped on the frontstretch while battling for a top 10 because a radius rod loosened. Once again, Kemenah chose the outside on the restart and it worked to his advantage.
But this time Steve Kinser stayed within striking distance and as Kemenah entered thick traffic on lap 17, Kinser took advantage. Kemenah slid up the track in turn two and Kinser stuck to the bottom, which provided enough grip to drive by Kemenah down the backstretch.
“I think the bottom down here in (turns) one and two was getting better,” Kemenah said. “When you’re leading sometimes maybe you’re just a sitting duck. It’s just hard to change your lane when you’re out front.”
Kinser distanced himself as World of Outlaws points leader and Tony Stewart Racing teammate Donny Schatz maneuvered around Kemenah for the runner-up position in the closing laps.
“Steve needed that,” Schatz said. “He hasn’t been running well lately, so to come and get a win is definitely a confidence builder for those guys. A 1-2 finish for TSR is great.”
Kerry Madsen finished fourth and David Gravel ended fifth. Joey Saldana was sixth, Craig Dollansky seventh and Sammy Swindell earned the KSE Hard Charger Award after driving from 21st to eighth. Paul McMahan, who claimed the only other World of Outlaws event at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park this season, placed ninth and fast qualifier Daryn Pittman rounded out the top 10.
Rolling Wheels Raceway Park Notebook
NOTES – Daryn Pittman established quick time for the second race of the season. … Kerry Madsen claimed his 10th heat race win, David Gravel his sixth and Chad Kemenah his 14th. … Kemenah won his second dash. … Frank Cozze became the 44th different Last Chance Showdown winner. …Steve Kinser was victorious in two of the three events this season on a 5/8-mile track.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS – Penske Shocks ($100 certificate): Bill Rose; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Steve Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 certificate): Steve Kinser; Armor All (case of product): David Gravel; STP ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; UNOH ($50 cash): David Gravel; Gravely Tractors ($50 cash): Craig Dollansky; VP Racing Fuel ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (set of rings): Bill Rose; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Bill Rose; Wix Filters ($50 cash): Bill Rose; Superflow ($50 cash): Bill Rose; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jessica Zemken; JE Pistons (set of rings): John Smith; MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Mike Stelter; Klotz Synthetic Lubricants ($50 cash): Jessica Zemken.
WINNERS – Sammy Swindell – 12 (Eagle Raceway on Sept. 19, Grays Harbor Raceway on Aug. 29, Castrol Raceway on Aug. 25, River Cities Speedway on Aug. 17, Autodrome Granby on July 27, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lakeside Speedway on June 30, Red River Valley Speedway on June 16, Eldora Speedway on May 5, Knoxville Raceway on April 28, Missouri State Fair Speedway on April 20 and Merced Speedway on March 30); Donny Schatz – 11 (Williams Grove Speedway on Sept. 29, Clay County Fair Speedway on Sept. 14, Calistoga Speedway on Sept. 9, Silver Dollar Speedway on Sept. 6, Nodak Speedway on Aug. 19, Junction Motor Speedway on Aug. 14, Knoxville Raceway on Aug. 11, Cornwall Motor Speedway on July 29, Farmer City Raceway on April 25, Silver Dollar Speedway on March 23 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Craig Dollansky – 8 (Deer Creek Speedway on Sept. 15, Castrol Raceway on Aug. 24, Lebanon Valley Speedway on July 22, Lernerville Speedway on July 17, I-96 Speedway on June 2, Hagerstown Speedway on May 20, Tri-State Speedway on April 21 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Kerry Madsen – 5 (Willamette Speedway on Sept. 3, Skagit Speedway on Aug. 31, Limaland Motorsports Park on July 11, Belleville High Banks on June 29 and Knoxville Raceway on June 9); Joey Saldana – 5 (Autodrome Drummond on July 28, Eldora Speedway on July 13, The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 25, Paducah International Raceway on April 13 and Perris Auto Speedway on March 10); Tim Kaeding – 4 (Antioch Speedway on Sept. 10, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 6, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 16 and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 8); Kraig Kinser – 4 (Beaver Dam Raceway on July 7, Dodge City Raceway Park on June 23, River Cities Speedway on June 15 and Kokomo Speedway on June 5); Steve Kinser – 4 (Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on Oct. 6, Dodge City Raceway Park on June 22, Orange County Fair Speedway on May 19 and Williams Grove Speedway on May 12); Chad Kemenah – 2 (Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 28 and Eldora Speedway on May 4); Paul McMahan – 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on Sept. 28 and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on May 16); Tony Stewart – 2 (Ohsweken Speedway on July 31 and Lernerville Speedway on July 17); Sean Becker – 1 (Silver Dollar Speedway on Sept. 7); Dale Blaney – 1 (Lernerville Speedway on Sept. 22); Cody Darrah – 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on July 21); Danny Dietrich – 1 (Lincoln Speedway on May 10); Mark Dobmeier – 1 (Huset’s Speedway on July 3); Travis Jacobson – 1 (Skagit Speedway on Sept. 1); Kyle Larson – 1 (Silver Dollar Speedway on Sept. 8); Danny Lasoski – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 18); Fred Rahmer – 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 11); Brad Sweet – 1 (Clay County Fair Speedway on June 8) and Lucas Wolfe – 1 (Bloomington Speedway on Aug. 3).
TIME TRIALS – Daryn Pittman was the fastest qualifier around the 5/8-mile oval with a time of 17.027 seconds to earn five championship points. Also earning points were Craig Dollansky (4 points), Donny Schatz (3), Joey Saldana (2) and Shawn Donath (1).
WE’RE ONLINE – Make sure to check out WorldofOutlaws.com for the latest news and results, plus exclusive driver interviews, video and pictures. Also listen to every event live at DIRTVision.com .
Rolling Wheels Raceway Park Statistical Report; Elbridge, N.Y.; Oct. 6, 2012
A-Main – (25 Laps) – 1. 11-Steve Kinser [2] [$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3] [$5,500]; 3. 63-Chad Kemenah [1] [$3,200]; 4. 29-Kerry Madsen [4] [$2,800]; 5. 89G-David Gravel [5] [$2,500]; 6. 9-Joey Saldana [6] [$2,300]; 7. 7-Craig Dollansky [7] [$2,200]; 8. 1-Sammy Swindell [21] [$2,100]; 9. 51-Paul McMahan [12] [$2,050]; 10. 27-Daryn Pittman [9] [$2,000]; 11. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [8] [$1,500]; 12. 5-Justin Barger [16] [$1,200]; 13. 33-Shawn Donath [11] [$1,100]; 14. 6-Bill Rose [14] [$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [10] [$1,000]; 16. 4-Cody Darrah [19] [$900]; 17. O-Glenn Styres [13] [$800]; 18. 35-Jessica Zemken [15] [$800]; 19. 44-Frank Cozze [17] [$800]; 20. 7X-Jamie Collard [18] [$800]; 21. 9B-Bobby Breen [20] [$800]; 22. 3Z-John Smith [22] [$800]; 23. 36-Mike Stelter [24] [$800]; 24. X-Daniel Mazy [23] [$800]. Lap Leaders: Chad Kemenah 1-16, Steve Kinser 17-25. KSE Hard Charger Award: 1-Sammy Swindell [+13].
Qualifying – 1. 27-Daryn Pittman, 17.027; 2. 7-Craig Dollansky, 17.397; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 17.422; 4. 9-Joey Saldana, 17.426; 5. 33-Shawn Donath, 17.469; 6. 51-Paul McMahan, 17.507; 7. 11-Steve Kinser, 17.535; 8. 89G-David Gravel, 17.554; 9. 63-Chad Kemenah, 17.568; 10. 29-Kerry Madsen, 17.582; 11. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 17.643; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 17.713; 13. O-Glenn Styres, 17.797; 14. 6-Bill Rose, 17.824; 15. 35-Jessica Zemken, 17.859; 16. 5-Justin Barger, 17.869; 17. 44-Frank Cozze, 17.891; 18. 7X-Jamie Collard, 17.900; 19. 4-Cody Darrah, 17.908; 20. 9B-Bobby Breen, 18.013; 21. 25P-Michael Parent, 18.049; 22. 28F-Davey Franek, 18.138; 23. 1-Sammy Swindell, 18.291; 24. 3Z-John Smith, 18.628; 25. 36-Mike Stelter, 18.834; 26. 29S-Dick Spadaro, 19.840; 27. X-Daniel Mazy, 19.918; 28. 15AW-April Wilson, 20.069.
Heat 1 – (8 Laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 29-Kerry Madsen [1]; 2. 11-Steve Kinser [2]; 3. 9-Joey Saldana [3]; 4. 27-Daryn Pittman [4]; 5. 5-Justin Barger [6]; 6. O-Glenn Styres [5]; 7. 4-Cody Darrah [7]; 8. 28F-Davey Franek [8]; 9. 36-Mike Stelter [9]; 10. 15AW-April Wilson [10].
Heat 2 – (8 Laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 89G-David Gravel [2]; 2. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [1]; 3. 33-Shawn Donath [3]; 4. 1-Sammy Swindell [8]; 5. 7-Craig Dollansky [4]; 6. 6-Bill Rose [5]; 7. 44-Frank Cozze [6]; 8. 9B-Bobby Breen [7]; 9. 29S-Dick Spadaro [9].
Heat 3 – (8 Laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 63-Chad Kemenah [2]; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 4. 51-Paul McMahan [3]; 5. 35-Jessica Zemken [5]; 6. 7X-Jamie Collard [6]; 7. 3Z-John Smith [8]; 8. X-Daniel Mazy [9].
Dash – (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 10 starting positions of A-feature) – 1. 63-Chad Kemenah [2]; 2. 11-Steve Kinser [4]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [6]; 4. 29-Kerry Madsen [1]; 5. 89G-David Gravel [3]; 6. 9-Joey Saldana [5]; 7. 7-Craig Dollansky [7]; 8. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [9]; 9. 27-Daryn Pittman [8]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [10].
B-Main – (10 Laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 44-Frank Cozze [1] [-]; 2. 4-Cody Darrah [2] [-]; 3. 9B-Bobby Breen [3] [-]; 4. 3Z-John Smith [6] [-]; 5. X-Daniel Mazy [9] [-]; 6. 36-Mike Stelter [7] [-]; 7. 29S-Dick Spadaro [8] [$200]; 8. 15AW-April Wilson [10] [$180]; 9. 28F-Davey Franek [5] [$175]; 10. 25P-Michael Parent [4] [$160].
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Top 20 Championship Standings
Pos.
Driver
Total
Diff
Wins
T5
T10
QT
1
Donny Schatz
9377
0
11
37
58
3
2
Craig Dollansky
9210
-167
8
33
49
9
3
Sammy Swindell
9202
-175
12
29
46
14
4
Joey Saldana
9163
-214
5
24
51
9
5
Steve Kinser
9095
-282
4
26
47
0
6
Kraig Kinser
8868
-509
4
18
42
6
7
Cody Darrah
8675
-702
1
22
36
2
8
Kerry Madsen
8610
-767
5
16
38
2
9
Chad Kemenah
8339
-1038
2
11
31
2
10
Lucas Wolfe
8269
-1108
1
10
26
1
11
Bill Rose
7355
-2022
0
0
10
0
12
Jason Sides
5873
-3504
0
17
28
1
13
Jac Haudenschild
4092
-5285
0
4
12
0
14
Tim Kaeding
3524
-5853
4
10
17
0
15
Daryn Pittman
2930
-6447
0
7
15
2
16
Paul McMahan
2844
-6533
2
4
6
2
17
David Gravel
2828
-6549
0
8
10
4
18
Sam Hafertepe Jr.
2779
-6598
0
3
8
0
19
Danny Lasoski
2745
-6632
1
5
9
0
20
Stevie Smith
2667
-6710
0
3
13
2