CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 3, 2007) – Two-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Tony Stewart announced tonight that World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series driver Kraig Kinser will join Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) beginning with the 2008 season. Kinser will replace Paul McMahan in the No. 20 Bass Pro Shops/J.D. Byrider/Chevrolet entry.
“I’m excited about joining forces with such an established team,” said Kinser, an eight-time WoO race winner, which includes a victory at the prestigious Knoxville (Iowa) Nationals in 2005. “Tony Stewart Racing has a proven track record with the World of Outlaws, and I’m looking forward to making a return to the series with a team of this caliber.”
Kinser’s teammate will be reigning WoO Sprint Series driver Donny Schatz, who will join TSR beginning with the 2008 season in the No. 15 Armor All/ParkerStore/Chevrolet machine.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Kraig Kinser to our race team,” said Stewart, TSR team owner. “To be able to work with a driver of Kraig’s talent is a great opportunity for all of us. His proven skill behind the wheel will continue to help TSR grow into a stronger organization.
“Just as Levi Jones, Tracy Hines and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., helped step up our USAC program, we expect Kraig Kinser and Donny Schatz to do the same with our World of Outlaws team.”
Bass Pro Shops, recently voted the No. 1 outdoor retailer in America by Sporting Goods Business Magazine and the primary sponsor of the No. 20 Chevrolet-powered entry that Kinser will pilot next season, welcomes Kinser to the TSR family.
“Bass Pro Shops is extremely proud of our relationship with Tony Stewart Racing,” said Jim Hagale, president of Bass Pro Shops. “While we’ve been very happy with the performance of the No. 20 team, the addition of Kraig Kinser for 2008 takes our program to another level. Kraig’s past performance and his family’s racing heritage will provide the opportunity for Bass Pro Shops and TSR to contend for the WoO Sprint Series championship.”
The familiar Bass Pro Shops paint scheme will continue to adorn the No. 20 for the 2008 season. The Chevrolet-powered winged sprint car will be overseen by longtime TSR crew chief Jimmy Carr, who will head up both of TSR’s WoO Sprint Series programs.
Since its formation in November 2000, TSR has earned seven owner championships. Danny Lasoski earned TSR’s first championship in its inaugural season competing in the WoO Sprint Series, taking the 2001 title. J.J. Yeley, Stewart’s teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, earned a USAC Sprint car championship for TSR in 2003. And in a co-owner role with Bob East, TSR won four straight USAC Silver Crown championships from 2002 to 2005 with a handful of drivers that included Yeley, Kasey Kahne and Dave Steele. In 2006, TSR earned the USAC Sprint car title with Josh Wise. Additionally, TSR has three Knoxville Nationals championships in the WoO Sprint Series, as Lasoski captured wins in the famed winged sprint car event in 2001, 2003 and 2004.
For more information regarding TSR or Bass Pro Shops, visit www.tonystewartracing.com or www.basspro.com.
-TSR-
Kraig Kinser: Driver of the No. 20 Winged Sprint Car in the World of Outlaws Sprint Series
Date of Birth: 10.8.84
Hometown: Bloomington, Ind.
Residence: Cornelius, N.C.
Marital Status: Married, Danielle
Children: None
Crew Chief: Jimmy Carr
Highlights: Scored eight World of Outlaws series victories… Captured Knoxville Nationals title in 2005… Finished fifth in 2005 World of Outlaws Sprint Series championship standings… Earned 2004 World of Outlaws Sprint Series “Rookie of the Year” honors… Earned a career-high seven World of Outlaws Sprint Series victories in 2005… Joined the Ginn Racing driver development program in 2005… Made 18 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts in 2006… Scored a season best finish of ninth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2006… Made 13 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts in 2007.
“I’m excited about joining forces with such an established team,” said Kinser, an eight-time WoO race winner, which includes a victory at the prestigious Knoxville (Iowa) Nationals in 2005. “Tony Stewart Racing has a proven track record with the World of Outlaws, and I’m looking forward to making a return to the series with a team of this caliber.”
Kinser’s teammate will be reigning WoO Sprint Series driver Donny Schatz, who will join TSR beginning with the 2008 season in the No. 15 Armor All/ParkerStore/Chevrolet machine.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Kraig Kinser to our race team,” said Stewart, TSR team owner. “To be able to work with a driver of Kraig’s talent is a great opportunity for all of us. His proven skill behind the wheel will continue to help TSR grow into a stronger organization.
“Just as Levi Jones, Tracy Hines and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., helped step up our USAC program, we expect Kraig Kinser and Donny Schatz to do the same with our World of Outlaws team.”
Bass Pro Shops, recently voted the No. 1 outdoor retailer in America by Sporting Goods Business Magazine and the primary sponsor of the No. 20 Chevrolet-powered entry that Kinser will pilot next season, welcomes Kinser to the TSR family.
“Bass Pro Shops is extremely proud of our relationship with Tony Stewart Racing,” said Jim Hagale, president of Bass Pro Shops. “While we’ve been very happy with the performance of the No. 20 team, the addition of Kraig Kinser for 2008 takes our program to another level. Kraig’s past performance and his family’s racing heritage will provide the opportunity for Bass Pro Shops and TSR to contend for the WoO Sprint Series championship.”
The familiar Bass Pro Shops paint scheme will continue to adorn the No. 20 for the 2008 season. The Chevrolet-powered winged sprint car will be overseen by longtime TSR crew chief Jimmy Carr, who will head up both of TSR’s WoO Sprint Series programs.
Since its formation in November 2000, TSR has earned seven owner championships. Danny Lasoski earned TSR’s first championship in its inaugural season competing in the WoO Sprint Series, taking the 2001 title. J.J. Yeley, Stewart’s teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, earned a USAC Sprint car championship for TSR in 2003. And in a co-owner role with Bob East, TSR won four straight USAC Silver Crown championships from 2002 to 2005 with a handful of drivers that included Yeley, Kasey Kahne and Dave Steele. In 2006, TSR earned the USAC Sprint car title with Josh Wise. Additionally, TSR has three Knoxville Nationals championships in the WoO Sprint Series, as Lasoski captured wins in the famed winged sprint car event in 2001, 2003 and 2004.
For more information regarding TSR or Bass Pro Shops, visit www.tonystewartracing.com or www.basspro.com.
-TSR-
Kraig Kinser: Driver of the No. 20 Winged Sprint Car in the World of Outlaws Sprint Series
Date of Birth: 10.8.84
Hometown: Bloomington, Ind.
Residence: Cornelius, N.C.
Marital Status: Married, Danielle
Children: None
Crew Chief: Jimmy Carr
Highlights: Scored eight World of Outlaws series victories… Captured Knoxville Nationals title in 2005… Finished fifth in 2005 World of Outlaws Sprint Series championship standings… Earned 2004 World of Outlaws Sprint Series “Rookie of the Year” honors… Earned a career-high seven World of Outlaws Sprint Series victories in 2005… Joined the Ginn Racing driver development program in 2005… Made 18 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts in 2006… Scored a season best finish of ninth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2006… Made 13 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts in 2007.
