WOO: Pennzoil World of Outlaws - Return to Bloomington
7 October 1998
BLOOMINGTON SPEEDWAY**Our 75th Anniversary**
PENNZOIL WORLD OF OUTLAWS RETURN TO BLOOMINGTON FOR FOURTH ATTEMPT
BLOOMINGTON, IN - The best things in life sometimes require an extra bit of patience. The Pennzoil World of Outlaws race at Bloomington Speedway is an example that hits close to home. With this prominent racing event already postponed three times this year, the summer has given way to fall, the temperature has dropped twenty degrees, leaves are changing color, and sprint car fans have demonstrated exceptional patience. Thursday, the Pennzoil World of Outlaws series will reward their patience with what promises to be an electrifying late season event.
Danny Lasoski's 9.672 second qualifying circuit, last Wednesday, remains the fastest lap ever recorded at Bloomington Speedway. But when the Outlaw's unload on Thursday, it will be as if the lap had never been turned, and the Knoxville champ will have to requalify. It will be a completely new racing program for all the drivers, from hot laps and qualifying, through the 40-lap $7,000-to-win feature race.
The Pennzoil World of Outlaws remain locked in the closest championship battle in their history. And the scrap has deep local roots. Oolitic's Mark Kinser picked up another win at Pennsylvania's Williams Grove Speedway, driving Karl Kinser's Maxim, which moved him to second in points. But Bloomington's Steve Kinser was able to extend his lead to 94 points over cousin Mark. Although Sammy Swindell has dropped to third in the standings, he's only 21 points behind Mark. And Stevie Smith continues to hang in, 24 behind Swindell, and 139 out of the lead.
If Steve Kinser locks up this title, it will be his 15th Pennzoil World of Outlaws championship, but his first as a car owner. All four point leaders are proven winners, and only Mark Kinser has not won a World of Outlaws feature on Bloomington's quarter-mile.
Another element that could come into play on Thursday is that the All Stars completed their season last weekend. Many of them will head to Missouri to compete with the Outlaws on Friday and Saturday. It is possible that drivers like Kenny and Dean Jacobs, Jeff Shepard, Frankie Kerr, Kevin Huntley, will join Joey Saldana and Danny Smith at Bloomington, and shoot for a share of the $40,800 purse.
All grandstand gates will open for the Pennzoil World of Outlaws at 4:30 pm on Thursday, October 8. Ticket stubs from events postponed on June 12, July 15 and September 30 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 also be in competition with $500 to win.
