Steve Kinser wins at Volusia (World of Outlaws)
Any lingering doubts about Steve Kinser’s ability to win for Tony Stewart Racing evaporated in the cold Florida air on Sunday night, as the 20-time World of Outlaws champion claimed the finale of the series’ opening weekend of races at Volusia Speedway as he held off challenges from Tim Kaeding and Joey Saldana to claim his first victory with his new team and 533rd of his career.
"It feels good to get the first win of the year early on," Kinser said. "The car got better as the race went on and I had to let it come to me. I was able to run low and also up top. I'm just glad to be in Victory Lane. That’s what we want to do, win races with this car."
Kinser’s signing with Tony Stewart Racing was one of the major stories of the off-season in the World of Outlaws. He replaced his son Kraig as the second driver to four-time defending series champion Donny Schatz, while Kraig moved into his father’s seat with Steve Kinser Racing. Not only was the off-season awkward at times for Kinser, it was frequently painful - he underwent surgery during the off-season to repair a bulging disc in his neck that had bothered him for most of 2009.
Kaeding would lead for the first 11 laps before Kinser was able to get past him on lap 12. Kaeding would regain the lead on lap 16, but Kinser would retake it two laps later, making the eventual race-winning move by getting underneath Kaeding going into turn one on lap 18 and making the move stick. Kinser would have to contend with Saldana during one final double-file restart before being able to claim his victory.
Danny Lasoski was the hard charger of the night, moving up to third after starting 14th. Schatz finished fourth to leave Volusia with the series points lead, while Kaeding finished fifth. Brad Sweet finished 19th in his second night of filling in for Cody Darrah, who broke his left leg in a traffic accident on Saturday and will require surgery.
The World of Outlaws has a lengthy break before starting their first West Coast swing of the season on Feb. 26 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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