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WoO: Outlaw Shootout Headed for Bloomington

23 September 1998

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Bloomington's Steve Kinser has his 15th Pennzoil World of Outlaws championship in sight as the Outlaw's trail returns to Bloomington Speedway. With only 10 "A" feature races left in the 1998 racing season, when the Outlaws tow into Bloomington Speedway on Wednesday, September 30th, the battle for the title will be nearing conclusion. As the Outlaws prepare to compete this weekend in Greenwood, Nebraska's Cornhusker Showdown, the point chase centers on the five top drivers. All will be in action Wednesday night as Bloomington is the only stop before the Williams Grove National Open on October 2 - 3.

Steve Kinser continues his grip on the top spot in the Outlaw point standings, but four big dogs are snapping at his heels. Steve has won five "A" features this year, and five preliminary features, and put together 8,572 points. His long-time nemesis, Tennessee's Sammy Swindell, lurks only 48 points behind. Swindell has won seven "A" features. Third is Stevie Smith, with 8,467 points, but more "A" feature victories than anyone else (13). Smith is only five points ahead of Oolitic's Mark Kinser who has nine wins. And Danny Lasoski, the Knoxville Nationals champion, continues to have an outside chance, as he is less than 250 points behind Steve Kinser. These five racers come into Bloomington with the opportunity to win the biggest crown in winged sprint car racing.

But Bloomington Speedway is the home track of the Kinsers. Both Steve and Mark cut their teeth on the quickest oval the Outlaws will see all year. While Steve has won more World of Outlaw races at Bloomington than anyone else, seven, Swindell has won here three times. Smith has two wins at Bloomington, and Lasoski has also been victorious here. But ironically, Mark Kinser has never won a World of Outlaws feature at Bloomington. This is surely one notch he is anxious to add to his gun.

The Pennzoil World of Outlaws series returns to Bloomington Speedway for the third time this season, after rain washed out the first two attempts. Although we would never wish a rainout at any event, this gives racing fans a unique opportunity to witness one of the final events in this historically close championship battle. No matter who enters Bloomington's victory lane, it will be a race that fans will talk about for years.

All grandstand gates will open for the Pennzoil World of Outlaws at 4:30 pm on Wednesday, September 30. Ticket stubs from June 12 and July 15 will be honored. General admission tickets will be on sale for $25. Pit admission is $30, the pit gate will open at 3 pm. Fans 12 and under will be charged $5 when accompanying an adult. Hot laps and qualifying begin at 6:30. The open wheel modified division will compete for $500 to win.