National Speed Sport News Names Steve Kinser 2004 Economaki Champion of Champions Presented by Rockett Brand Racing Fuel

Recognized as best-of-the-best in motorsports

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 9 -- National Speed Sport News, the country's oldest weekly auto-racing publication, presented World of Outlaws racer Steve Kinser the 2004 Economaki Champion of Champions Award presented by Rockett Brand Racing Fuel during a ceremony held recently at the 17th annual Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Economaki Champion of Champions Award presented by Rockett Brand Racing Fuel was developed by National Speed Sport News to honor one racer among all motorsports disciplines who has excelled with regard to overall ability, sportsmanship and command of the sport -- both on and off the track.

"Even in the group of highly qualified finalists vying for this award, Steve stands out as the ultimate professional in every sense of the word," said Jim Savas, publisher, National Speed Sport News. "He has amassed a staggering number of career wins, shattered many motorsports records, continues to race with passion and excitement and serves as a charismatic ambassador to the sport."

Series champions from various racing disciplines -- stock car, open wheel, sprint car, drag, midget, late model and road -- qualified as a finalist for the Economaki Champion of Champions Award. Kinser was selected from a group of finalists that included Sebastien Bourdais, Champ Car; Kurt Busch, NASCAR Nextel Cup; Bobby East, USAC midgets; Greg Anderson, NHRA Pro Stock; Tony Kanaan, Indy Racing League; Scott Bloomquist, World of Outlaws Late Models; Fred Rahmer, open wheel; Tony Schumacher, NHRA Top Fuel; and Martin Truex, Jr., NASCAR Busch Series.

"To receive this Economaki Award is a great honor and I'm thrilled," said Kinser, of winning the Economaki Champion of Champions Award. "It would be hard to measure how much Chris (Economaki) has done for all types of racing through the years. I remember reading Speed Sport as a kid, and watching Chris on television. I've always enjoyed being around Chris and he's been much more than just a publisher, he's been a big fan of racing."

Kinser, a 50-year-old Bloomington, Ind. native earned his 19th World of Outlaws Series championship this season. He won 17 A-features and four preliminary-night features, while posting 47 top-five finishes. Along the way he picked up his 500th World of Outlaws A-feature victory. Kinser has been voted sprint-car racing's greatest driver by the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum and has won the sport's most prestigious race, the Knoxville Nationals, a record 12 times.

To celebrate Kinser's title as the 2004 Economaki Champion of Champions, he will be featured on the cover of the December 15, 2004 issue of National Speed Sport News, as well as on the newspaper's website, http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/ . A broadcast of the award presentation will air during the inaugural 2005 episode of Wind Tunnel on the SPEED Channel.

"Chris Economaki's long and celebrated lineage in this industry makes the Economaki Champion of Champions award a perfect manner for identifying and promoting today's most influential driver," said Savas. "And Steve Kinser certainly fits the bill. With support from Rockett Brand Racing Fuels, we are proud to present him with this well-deserved award."

About Sponsor Rockett Brand Racing Fuels

With more than 50 years of performance racing knowledge and experience, Rockett Brand Racing Fuel's roots run deep in NASCAR, IROC, ARCA, NHRA and offshore racing experience, where the company's founders and formulation scientists developed and ran the world-renown 76 Racing Fuel Group until its acquisition by Conoco-Phillips and subsequent withdrawal from racing in 2003. Every gallon of Rockett Brand 100, 111, 114 and 118 octane gasoline is formulated to deliver the same unbeatable performance advantages and unwavering consistency born of a continuing commitment to being the world's best performing racing fuel -- without question or challenge. Rockett Brand Racing Fuel provides technical expertise and assistance to racers, assuring they capture the full "rocket power" benefit of the product. For additional information call 1-800-345-0076 or visit http://www.rockettbrand.com/ .

Since 1934, National Speed Sport News has been the authoritative voice of motorsports, providing race coverage that is timely, accurate and colorful. Edited by the legendary Chris Economaki since 1950, and written by racing's most talented reporters and columnists, National Speed Sport News -- covering every series, every track, every week -- is the must-read for serious fans, drivers, crew and industry leaders alike. National Speed Sport News is the only weekly motorsports publication on Library of Congress microfilm. The publication's slogan is: "America's Weekly Motorsport Authority."

For more information, contact National Speed Sport News, P.O. Box 1210, Harrisburg, N.C. 28075, (704) 455-2531, (866) 455-2531, fax (704) 455-2605, or visit the web site at: http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/ .