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Tracks: Outlaws Invade Bloomington Speedway

8 June 1998

BLOOMINGTON, IN (June 8, 1998) - As the Pennzoil World of Outlaws parade into the fastest quarter-mile oval* they will face this season, they are in the midst of their most competitive racing campaign. For years, Steve and Mark Kinser, and Sammy Swindell have dominated the Outlaws headlines. But this seasons' Outlaw trail has seen all but one top-ten racer earn at least one trip to victory lane. Friday night's event at Bloomington Speedway is a critical rung in this year's championship.

Although Oolitic's Mark Kinser has been the winningest Outlaw the past two seasons, he's only won once in the past five races, and again just once in the five events before that. But Karl Kinser's Wirtgen sprinter has still been strong enough to retain the Outlaw point lead. It is interesting that after more than a decade racing with the World of Outlaws, Mark has never won at his home track. This is one omission he plans to correct.

Steve Kinser won three Outlaw features earlier this year, and has been knocking on the door of his fourth victory. Sitting third in the points, Steve recognizes that he needs add to the win column to seriously contend for his fifteenth title. With more World of Outlaw wins at Bloomington Speedway than anyone else, Kinser hopes a Bloomington victory will put him on the championship track. And Kinser's league of fans would like to see his 421st career "A Main" scored at his home track.

Stevie Smith caught fire during May, putting the Smith family sprint car in victory lane four times and grabbing the point lead. But as the Outlaws toured New York and Pennsylvania, local stars Fred Rahmer and Donnie Kreitz triumphed over the invaders. In the last week, Oklahoma's Andy Hillenburg has gotten hot, scoring two wins in the last three races.

Defending Pennzoil World of Outlaws champion Sammy Swindell has three main event wins and is second in the point standings, only 75 points behind Mark Kinser. Jac Haudenschild is expected to return to the Pennzoil sprinter at Bloomington, after missing several races with a shoulder injury. Haud earned three wins before his injury. Jeff Swindell, Johnny Herrera, Danny Lasoski, Joe Gaerte and Joey Saldana have also been in the World Of Outlaw's victory lane this season.

With a million-dollar championship on the line, Bloomington's $40,000-plus purse will attract top racers from the Midwest to challenge the Pennzoil World of Outlaws on the fastest quarter-mile clay in the country.

Friday night's Pennzoil World of Outlaws A-Main pays $7,000 to the winner. The racing program includes open wheel modifieds. Gates will open at 3 pm. Hot laps and qualifying start at 6:30 pm, with racing at 7:45. General admission is $25, pits $30. Kids 12 and under - $5.