Race winner Steve Kinser and winning car owner Tony Stewart in victory lane. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Winner Steve Kinser all smiles as he waves checkered flag to delight of the crowd. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Steve Kinser, race winner, and Paul McMahon, week’s sprint-car champion, shown with their championship trophies. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Late race battle among Daryn Pittman (9), Steve Kinser (11) and Donny Schatz (15) [Joe Jennings Photo]
Austin Dillon, driving famed No. 3, en route to victory in UMP Modified feature hours after winning Daytona 500 pole. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Barberville, Fla. – Steve Kinser’s star shined brightly on Sunday night at Volusia Speedway Park, as the 20-time World of Outlaws champion raced to victory in the WoO finale. The legendary driver wasn’t to be denied as he staved off repeated challenges from Daryn Pittman to claim his 577th career feature win. And he won for the eighth time on the fast half-mile Volusia oval.
The Volusia race brought an end to sprint-car week, which is part of the DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia. The three winged-sprint car races were run under the banner of World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series.
The fleet Kinser and reigning champion Pittman brought the capacity crowd to its feet over the final eight circuits as they waged a tremendous battle for the lead. The shootout took place after a caution period and while Pittman took the lead momentarily on the restart, Kinser wasn’t to be denied as he battled back to score the win.
In victory lane, Kinser jumped from his car and let out a series of emotional yells, letting onlookers know he hasn’t lost his desire to win. The winner drove Tony Stewart Racing’s Bad Boy Buggies winged-sprinter, and Stewart greeted him in victory lane.
“This win was real special,” Kinser said after the win. “It was a pretty good race, and I didn’t know what to do on that restart. I thought if he (Pittman) got me I was going to slide back by him. When he got underneath me, he left me room to get out there. It was a good race and a good way for me to start the season.”
Regarding his announced pull back in racing, Kinser said, “I don’t know if I will be back here, but it is too early to tell.” He seemed to be undecided about the extent of his 2015 schedule and beyond.
Kinser’s run at Volusia started in 1979 and after announcing his full-time pullback from racing, the 2014 WoO season has been dubbed the “Salute to the King” tour. During the parade lap preceding the 30-lap feature, Kinser paced the 24-car field.
Pittman flashed to second place with Donny Schatz, Saturday night’s winner, took third in another Tony Stewart Racing sprinter.
Brad Sweet, the winner of the season opener, took fourth followed by Tim Kaeding.
Kerry Madsen, Paul McMahon, Joey Saldana, Kraig Kinser and Danny Holtgraver rounded out the top-10 finishers.
McMahon was crowned sprint-car champion for the week, which included three WoO races and one All Star Circuit of Champions race.
On the first lap of the feature, Bronson Maeschen walked away from a series of flips.
The WoO travel to Las Vegas for the FVP Outlaw Showdown on March 5 and 6.
Austin Dillon, the Daytona 500 pole winner earlier in the day, romped in the final Gator Championship qualifying race. Billy Workman Jr., Jeff Babcock and Kenny Wallace chased Dillon across the finish line.
austin DillonFeaturedSteve KinserVolusia