World of Outlaws

Williams Grove: Mark Kinser extends dominance

Mark Kinser Extends Williams Grove Dominance By Richard Day MECHANICSBURG, PA (May 18) -- Mark Kinser has enjoyed tremendous success at Williams Grove Speedway in recent years, winning six of the last ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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Mark Kinser Extends Williams Grove Dominance By Richard Day MECHANICSBURG, PA (May 18) -- Mark Kinser has enjoyed tremendous success at Williams Grove Speedway in recent years, winning six of the last eight feature races the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series has run at the legendary track. Kinser led all 20 laps in the Preliminary Thursday when the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series opened a $85,625 event at "The Grove." The defending and two-time series champion also won the Williams Grove National Open last October, swept the feature races last July, won the CHANNELLOCK Spring Classic main event last May and won the "A" Feature on October 2, 1998. "That (streak) is pretty amazing," Mark said. "It seems like we struggled here so long, then got to running with the 'old man' (car owner and crew chief Karl Kinser) and really turned things around." Kinser won the caution-free race in 6:46.8, an average speed of 88.452 m.p.h. He was the fourth-fastest qualifier in the 45-car field and started turning the preliminary program in his favor during the Second CHANNELLOCK Dash. He became the outside pole-sitter in the 20- lap feature by winning the eight-lap dash from outside the second row. Kinser drove the #5M Mopar Maxim around Vivarin Fast-Time Award, First NAPA AUTO PARTS Heat Race and First CHANNELLOCK Dash winner Sammy Swindell as the green flag fell in the Preliminary Feature. Swindell tried to pass Mark deep in the second corner, but was unable to surge ahead. Steve Kinser, who has won 22 Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series main events at Williams Grove, challenged Daryn Pittman for third place early in the second lap. He was the victim of Third NAPA AUTO PARTS Heat Race winner Don Kreitz, Jr.'s inside move in turn two the next time around. Mark Kinser was eight car-lengths ahead of Swindell when he entered lapped traffic nine laps into the race. Mechanical problems in the #83 Beef Packers Eagle forced "B" Feature winner Danny Lasoski into the pit area midway through the race. Pennsylvanians Stevie Smith (New Oxford) and Tim Shaffer (Aliquippa) battled for position during the race's early stages. Smith, a two-time Williams Grove National Open champion, claimed sixth place by steering his #19 Ingersoll-Rand Black Bandit deep in the second corner to pass the 1999 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year early in lap 13. Pittman passed Swindell for second place with an inside move through turn two with 2 2/3 laps remaining. Kreitz used a similar maneuver to pass Swindell for third place the next time around. Positions 2-4 changed again during the 19th lap. Kreitz passed Pittman deep in turn two for the runner-up spot, then Swindell and Daryn exchanged third place. Pittman drove his #3 J&J to the lowest point in the second corner to pass Swindell for third again early in the final lap. Kinser was a full straightaway ahead of Kreitz when he took the checkered flag. "We're so fortunate to be locked in (for Friday's Second CHANNELLOCK Dash)," Mark said. "The heats and other races are a chance to crash out of the points race. We have our work cut out for us here with these other three guys who are locked in. Donnie Kreitz is always tough here and Daryn is one of the young studs coming up, so it won't be easy by any means." Swindell qualified for the second row outside starting position in Friday's Second CHANNELLOCK Dash by finishing in fourth place. Steve Kinser finished fifth, ahead of Smith, Shaffer, Lance DeWease, Jeff Shepard and Dave Ely. Swindell received his second Vivarin Fast-Time Award of the season for pacing the qualifying session with a 17.067-second, 105.467- m.p.h., lap around the semi-banked, 1/2-mile oval. Greg Hodnett, racing for only the second time since returning to the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series from a shoulder injury, drove Jimmy Vasser's #V12 Wirtgen Maxim past six cars to finish 13th. Tyler Walker, who piloted the #V12 while Hodnett recuperated, made his debut in the #12 Apple Chevrolet sprinter Thursday. A broken part on the car caused him to crash during his first qualifying lap. Walker started at the rear of the Fourth NAPA AUTO PARTS Heat Race and the "C" Feature and was unable to transfer to the "B" Feature.

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