By Bill Klingbeil
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 4, 2013) – One of the most demanding schedules in all of motorsports culminates with this weekend’s World of Outlaws (WoO) STP Sprint Car Series season-ending World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C.
For 20-time WoO STP Sprint Car Series champion Steve Kinser, the seventh annual World Finals will be his 34th Outlaw season finale. The Bloomington, Ind., driver will race his familiar Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) No. 11 Bad Boy Buggies/J.D. Byrider/Chevrolet Performance Maxim in search of a record 11th season finale victory. And for only the second time ever, he’ll be teaming up with his son Kraig Kinser, the 2004 WoO Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year and 2005 Knoxville Nationals winner who will pilot the Steve Kinser Racing (SKR) No. 11k Bad Boy Buggies/MVT/Casey’s General Stores/Maxim. In addition to carrying the Bad Boy Buggies brand this weekend, both father and son will help the company close its successful “Win the King’s Ride” promotion by handing over the keys to a one-of-kind Steve Kinser-schemed RECOIL iS to contest winner David Moore prior to Friday’s action on the track.
After spending the last 10 months traveling across the country twice over while chasing WoO victories at some of the most historic dirt tracks in the United States, the father son duo will look to close the 2013 campaign on a high note. Only one driver can leave Charlotte with bragging rights as both Kinsers and their fellow WoO competitors vie for three months of recognition as the season’s final winner. For Steve Kinser, the season has been one of the most challenging in his historic career. A pair of wins – one in April at El Paso (Texas) Speedway and the other in August at McCool Junction (Neb.) Raceway – have highlighted his 34th season on the road with the Outlaws. He currently sits eighth in the season standings. For Kraig Kinser, the season has had its ups and downs. His signature moment in May at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y., where he raced to victory, and he’s added nine top-five finishes and 33 top-10s to his stat sheet this year.
The encouraging news for both Kinsers is that each driver has had previous success at The Dirt Track’s 4/10-mile banked clay oval. Steve Kinser finished inside the top-10 in each of his first 20 starts at the facility. He won there in October 2001 and also won the 2007 World Finals after leading all 30 laps. Kraig Kinser has had some strong showings in his 20 career races at The Dirt Track. The 29-year-old finished second to Donny Schatz in the 2008 season finale and has finished inside the top-four in three of his last four starts there.
The World Finals, which includes WoO Sprint Cars, WoO Late Models and the Big-Block Modifieds from the Super DIRTcar Series, begins with a pair of qualifying sessions for the Sprint Cars and Late Models Thursday. Complete programs with heat races, a dash and feature races will be held both Friday and Saturday.
Friday and Saturday’s A-Features will mark races 72 and 73 on the season. The original WoO slate had 85 races, but 12 were lost to rain. In a perfect scenario, both Kinsers could improve one position in the final standings. Steve Kinser currently holds eighth but trails Cody Darrah by 67 points for seventh. Kraig Kinser is 11th and is 79 markers behind 10th-place Jason Sides.
Meanwhile, Moore, from Quincy, Mich., will be at the World Finals as a guest of Bad Boy Buggies, TSR and SKR after being selected the winner of the “Win the King’s Ride” promotion. Steve and Kraig Kinser, as well as Eric Bondy, Vice President, Consumer Business for Bad Boy Buggies, will present Moore with the keys to the customized Recoil iS during Friday’s opening ceremonies. As guest of TSR and SKR throughout the weekend, he’ll also attend the 2013 WoO STP Sprint Car Series banquet Sunday.
On Thursday, the pit gates will open at 11 a.m. EDT, with the grandstands opening at 4 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the pit gates will open at 12:45 p.m. with the grandstands opening at 4 p.m. For more details and ticket information, call the track at 800-455-3267 or visit www.CharlotteMotorSpeedway.
Both Friday and Saturday’s events will be contested in front of what is expected to be a sellout crowd of more than 15,000 spectators, and the action will also be televised by the CBS Sports Network in December. Coverage of Friday’s World Finals begins Dec. 15 at 9 p.m. EDT, while Saturday’s program is set for broadcast Dec. 22 at 9 p.m.
Race fans unable to attend this weekend’s events can catch all of the action on DIRTVision.com. Fans can listen live as Johnny Gibson, “Voice of the Outlaws,” calls the action as he does at all WoO STP Sprint Car Series events on the DIRTVision.com cybercast, as well as on the DIRT Radio Network. Go to www.DIRTVision.com for more information on all the site features, including live results from the track.
Steve Kinser, Driver of the No. 11 TSR/Bad Boy Buggies/J.D. Byrider/Chevrolet Performance Maxim:
Being a World of Outlaws regular since the beginning of the series, you’ve been around for quite a few events. How does the World Finals compare to other season-ending events?
“I think every year the World Finals gets bigger and better. When they first talked about it, I wasn’t sure how it would work with all of the cars the event would attract, but The Dirt Track at Charlotte has provided some great racing every year. It seems like over the years we ended the year at different places and Charlotte’s been great. The fans have really come out and supported the World Finals, and it’s great seeing so many people come to be part of what has become one of our bigger events of the year. Now, if we could win it a little more often, I’d like it even more. But every driver is going to say that. We won the first one and finished second two years ago, so we’ve been in contention there. We’d like to be in the mix for the win this year. For a lot of us, this is the last race of the season and you always want to win that final race of the year.”
As added component to the racing, you are going to help make one fan really happy by giving him the keys to Bad Boy Buggies RECOIL iS that is painted similar to your racecar. Do you think the fan has any idea of how cool of a prize this is?
“You know, I really don’t. This is one of those really cool promotions. We’ve had so many people ask about these Bad Boy Buggies this year. I have had the opportunity to use one both at our property at home and at the track. I know David (Moore) is going to be thrilled having his own customized RECOIL iS. It’s been a lot of fun being part of the Bad Boy Buggies team this year. We’ve spent a lot of time with their marketing people and they really are excited about this series and the fans. I think that shows with them being on Kraig’s car at both the Knoxville Nationals and at the World Finals. We haven’t ever shared a sponsor before, so this is special. We’re both really looking forward to the opportunity we have this weekend.”
Kraig Kinser, Driver of the No. 11k SKR/Bad Boy Buggies/ MVT/Casey’s General Stores/ /Maxim:
The World Finals continues to grow each year and has become one of the bigger events of the season. What makes the event such a draw for the top drivers in Sprint car racing, and is that what makes winning it so tough?
“The World Finals is not only the last big race of the season, but it’s the final race, too. It brings drivers from all across the country together. Every year, it seems like there are more cars and an even stronger field, if that is possible. Everyone wants to go there and end the year on a strong note. Our goal is to put ourselves in a position to challenge for our first World Finals win at the end of the night. We definitely came close in 2008 but came up one spot short. With how close everyone is right now, it will take not only having a great car, but also the right starting spot and a little luck to be in contention. With the World of Outlaws format, getting in the dash is probably the most important aspect. So, your goals adjust as the night goes on. The first one is to qualify first or second. If that doesn’t work out, you have to find a way to first or second in your heat race. If you can get into the dash, then you have a shot. No matter what, you have to have everything go your way and bring your ‘A-game’ because the level of competition is as tough as it’s ever been, right now.”
For the second time this season, you and your father will both be carrying the Bad Boy Buggies brand on your racecars. How much fun has it been for you guys to team up and work with Bad Boy Buggies?
“It’s been a great experience for both Dad and I to be paired with Bad Boy Buggies for the Knoxville Nationals and now the World Finals. It’s been a pleasure working with Eric (Bondy) and Mark (Miller) and we are proud to be associated with a great brand like Bad Boy Buggies. Sprint car and racing fans from across the country come to Charlotte, and it’s the perfect place to wrap up the ‘Win the King’s Ride’ promotion and hand over the keys to the winner. To be battling my dad for the win on Friday and Saturday night would be the perfect end to the season, especially with Bad Boys Buggies on both of our cars. He’s won at Charlotte during the World Finals and I’ve come close, so we certainly know what it takes to run up front.”
Steve Kinser and Kraig Kinser: Career Results at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway
|
Year |
Date |
Steve Kinser |
Qualifying |
Start |
Finish |
Kraig Kinser |
Qualifying |
Start |
Finish |
|
2013 |
5/24 |
World of Outlaws |
4 |
7 |
5 |
World of Outlaws |
21 |
20 |
21 |
|
2012 |
11/3 |
World of Outlaws |
40 |
25 |
13 |
World of Outlaws |
9 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
11/2 |
World of Outlaws |
30 |
23 |
19 |
World of Outlaws |
3 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
5/25 |
World of Outlaws |
4 |
6 |
13 |
World of Outlaws |
8 |
1 |
4 |
|
2011 |
11/5 |
World of Outlaws |
8 |
4 |
2 |
World of Outlaws |
4 |
7 |
9 |
|
|
11/4 |
World of Outlaws |
2 |
5 |
7 |
World of Outlaws |
30 |
25 |
13 |
|
|
5/27 |
World of Outlaws |
8 |
2 |
2 |
World of Outlaws |
19 |
19 |
14 |
|
2010 |
11/6 |
World of Outlaws |
3 |
5 |
13 |
World of Outlaws |
10 |
14 |
11 |
|
|
11/5 |
World of Outlaws |
5 |
12 |
7 |
World of Outlaws |
16 |
15 |
10 |
|
|
5/29 |
World of Outlaws |
13 |
7 |
4 |
World of Outlaws |
16 |
14 |
13 |
|
2009 |
11/7 |
World of Outlaws |
25 |
4 |
4 |
World of Outlaws |
22 |
26 |
19 |
|
|
11/6 |
World of Outlaws |
4 |
7 |
17 |
World of Outlaws |
33 |
18 |
9 |
|
|
5/22 |
World of Outlaws |
3 |
6 |
5 |
World of Outlaws |
8 |
11 |
12 |
|
2008 |
11/1 |
World of Outlaws |
8 |
14 |
6 |
World of Outlaws |
16 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
10/31 |
World of Outlaws |
3 |
8 |
4 |
World of Outlaws |
18 |
19 |
18 |
|
|
5/23 |
World of Outlaws |
15 |
15 |
7 |
World of Outlaws |
10 |
12 |
9 |
|
2007 |
11/3 |
World of Outlaws |
7 |
1 |
1 |
World of Outlaws |
5 |
13 |
23 |
|
|
11/2 |
World of Outlaws |
11 |
4 |
4 |
World of Outlaws |
13 |
15 |
26 |
|
|
5/25 |
World of Outlaws |
14 |
14 |
5 |
World of Outlaws |
DNC |
||
|
2006 |
5/24 |
— |
DNC |
— |
DNC |
||||
|
2003 |
…