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WoO: Kinser Focused on Winning Against Outlaws

16 September 1998

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Kelly Kinser stood under the glare of the front straightaway lights at Bloomington Speedway, gripping the trophy he had just been presented for winning the Tribute to Dizz Wilson, and said, "I love racing on this track. But I want to win on September 30."

Kinser, a veteran winged sprint car campaigner throughout the Midwest, has won three consecutive features on the fast clay banks at Bloomington. Now he is focused on stepping it all up a notch and earning a win against the Pennzoil World of Outlaws. The Outlaws will be returning to Bloomington on Wednesday, September 30, to make-up an event that has been rained out twice this season.

For a local racer, is he setting his sights too high? Possibly not. Although it is rare when someone outside the traveling band picks up a victory against the Outlaws, who bring all the tricks, and latest and lightest equipment, everywhere they race. It is not impossible. After all, Brent Kaeding and Fred Rahmer racked up Outlaw wins when the travelers ventured onto their home turf in the past couple years. And Kelly Kinser has the right stuff, having earned an Outlaw victory at West Plains (MO) Speedway last April. But that was driving for Karl Kinser, and now he wants one in his own Franklin Power Products Stealth. He has scored two victories in his limited forays into All Star competition this year, including a win at Skyline Speedway during Ohio Speedweeks.

Bloomington is an oval that Kelly Kinser knows well, and it fits his style. With the fastest qualifying lap times under 10 seconds, it is the fastest quarter-mile, with the quickest laps, the Outlaws will see all year. The broad red clay banked turns usually host two or three raceable lanes. Big races have been won on the cushion at Bloomington, and they've been won on the bottom. Being a tight fast quarter-mile, the key will be getting through traffic. And if Kelly Kinser can time in the top six and start up front, he is capable of keeping everyone behind him for 40 laps.