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TRACKS: 12th Annual Sheldon Kinser Memorial Preview from Bloomington

22 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
(Bloomington, Ind.)--BANK ONE is pleased to present the 12th Annual Sheldon Kinser Memorial. As a "Thank You" from their friendly banker, Bank One customers in Bloomington and Bedford can purchase discount tickets from their favorite Bank One branch.

No place is more appropriate for a memorial to Sheldon Kinser than the famous red clay oval that is Bloomington Speedway. Most fans remember Sheldon for the daring that he displayed on race tracks from coast to coast. He raced on tracks from quarter mile bull rings in sprints and midgets to mile dirt ovals in USAC champ dirt cars (now Silver Bullet) to the superspeedways where he competed with the best in champ cars. However, his toughest race, the one he lost, was with cancer. But he fought that one the hardest of all. He once said, "It would be easy to give up; but I'm going through all of this for my kids. I'm going to stay around as long as possible for them." Sheldon didn't just sit at home to fight the battle in solitude either. He continued to race, often tying a bandana around his throat to keep most of the dirt out of the hole there. He was a tough as nails competitor - one who had earned the respect of all who raced against him.

In addition to the $3000 first place money, lap prizes will be awarded in this race. A portion of the money raised for lap prizes will go to the Rich Vogler Memorial Scholarship Foundation. This foundation awards scholarships to promising students with a racing background. Nobody would ever hint that Sheldon and Rich were good friends, or any kind of friends for that matter. They were just too much alike. They were both driven competitors; and they often crossed swords. They certainly respected each other; and that's about all that could be expected.

Past winners of this include Tony Elliott, Kevin Thomas, Jack Hewitt, and Kevin Briscoe. Of course, we don't know how many of these guys will show up to try to win another one; but we know one guy for sure who will be here. Four time Sheldon Kinser Memorial winner Kevin Thomas said from victory lane at Bloomington Speedway on August 11, "The Sheldon Kinser Memorial has always been special to me; and I'll be there trying to win # 5." This is one of the premier sprint car races of the season. Don't miss it.

As an added attraction for the sprint car fans, the top ten Pennzoil Cup Sprint Car drivers will receive their awards at this event.

There is never a shortage of O'Neal Wood Products Open Wheel Modifieds or Tire & Wheel Center Super Stocks at Bloomington Speedway; however, there should be an even bigger field than usual for this show because of the extra $100 going to the winner in each class.

Another attraction for this event is the Antique Auto & Race Car Museum Gambler's Choice money will be up for grabs. The extra $1500 is available to a driver from the first two rows who agrees to start at the tail of the feature and wins the race. This money has been up for grabs to the sprint car racers all season; but nobody has tried to win it. At the August 11 race the Tire & Wheel Center Super Stock drivers were given a shot at it when the eligible sprint car drivers all declined. Points leader Lee Hobbs accepted the challenge and came up just two spots short. At the Sheldon Kinser Memorial, the sprint car drivers will, again, get first shot at the extra $1500. If they decline again the top four O'Neal Wood Products Open Wheel Modifieds racers will be given the opportunity. There is one driver who has already brought a modified from last place to victory this season - Kerry Norris of Columbus. Kerry didn't voluntarily start last the last time. He got caught up in a first lap shunt and had to go to the tail; but the task before him was the same. Will he try to achieve this feat twice in the same season for an extra $1500 - don't bet against him. As an added point of interest, Kerry was the winner of the first Sheldon Kinser Memorial.

Grandstand admission for this special even is only $15 and pit admission is $25. Overnight camping is permitted as are coolers. No Glass Please.

Text provided by Tim McKinney

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.