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Tracks: 10th Annual Sheldon Kinser Memorial Matches Midwest's Best

19 August 1998

BLOOMINGTON, IN - As Bloomington Speedway begins to wind down its 75th Anniversary season, the 10th Annual Sheldon Kinser Memorial will close August's racing calendar on Friday, August 28. With a purse boasting $3000 to win (if pre-entered), $300 to start, and more than $2000 in lap prize money and contingency awards, Bloomington's Sheldon Kinser Memorial is always one of the Speedway's most popular sprint car events.

For the fourth year, the Rich Vogler Memorial Scholarship Fund is organizing the main event lap prize program. Of the $100 donated by sponsors of each lap, $50 goes to the leading driver and $50 directly to the scholarship program. That could put an additional $2000 into the pocket if a driver should lead every lap of the 40-lap feature.

Drivers entered for the race include Sheldon Kinser Jr. and last year's winner, Dave Darland. Kevin Thomas is a 4-time Sheldon Kinser race winner, and Jack Hewitt is also a previous Memorial race winner. Tony Elliott, Derek Davidson, Robbie Rice and Brad Fox are Bloomington feature race winners this season. Also with entries in are Pennzoil Cup point leader Eric Burns, plus Kevin Doty, Brian and Rick Hayden, Tracy Hines, J.J. Yeley, Rusty McClure, Kent Christian, Jim Mills, Levi Jones, Jason Knoke, Kenny Carmichael, Al Woodall, Derek Scheffel and Dave Peperak.

One year ago, Dave Darland joined Kerry Norris, Jack Hewitt, Terry Shepherd, Kevin Thomas and Kevin Briscoe as winners of the Sheldon Kinser Memorial. Darland and Kevin Thomas staged a memorable battle, running a dozen laps side-by-side before lapped traffic gave Darland the final advantage. Tracy Hines, Derek Davidson and Brian Gerster also ran in the top five. And J.J. Yeley was within .026 of the track record in qualifying.

The Sheldon Kinser Memorial will also be big for the open wheel modified and the WalMart Tire & Lube Express street stock division racers. In addition to being the last point-paying race for all three divisions, the modified and street stock features will pay $500 to win.

General admission is just $16, with fans 12 years old and under admitted free with an adult. Grandstand gates open at 5:30, with action picking up at 6:30 and racing at 7:45. The pit gate opens at 4:30, with pit admission of $23.