Steve Kinser is interviewed by Jack Miller following his victory in the
Knoxville Nationals. Trophy girls Amy Richert and Missy Smith (left) look on. –
Tony Cipolletti Photo
By Bob Wilson
Knoxville, Iowa (August 13, 1988) – Steve Kinser drove to one of the most exciting wins in the 28-year history of the Knoxville Nationals before a sellout crowd at Knoxville Raceway on Saturday night.
“I didn’t think I was going to win it. They got to racin’ with each other,” Kinser explained about Dave Blaney and Bobby Davis Jr., who were running first and second in front of him, “and I snuck back in there.”
The track played a big part in Kinser’s sixth title as pole sitter Dave Blaney was in command of the race for a large portion of the 30-lap main event with Kinser in close quarters. A lap 16 restart saw Davis get by Kinser and the trio of cars brought the huge grandstand to its feet for the remainder of the race.
On lap 24, Davis dove beneath Blaney in turn one and momentarily gained the upper hand but Blaney was able to fend him off down the back chute. The following laps saw Davis try the high cushion and that was when Kinser mounted his charge on the low side and formed a three-abreast battle around the half-mile oval. The issue was settled at the flag stand as Kinser took the lead and held on to it to the checkered with a 10-car-length advantage.
Kinser, whose previous titles came in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, and 1987, was paid $30,000 for his victory and he earned an additional $2,000 for his win in Wednesday night’s qualifier.
Davis, who finished as the runner-up for the second straight year, earned $20,000 for his hard-fought efforts. Blaney recorded his highest finish to date and received $12,000. Sammy Swindell, the 1983 champion, drove a solid race to collect $9,000 for his fourth-place finish.
Without a doubt, Doug Wolfgang of Sioux Falls, S.D., drove more laps than anyone as he started 11th in the C-main and finished second to Kenny Jacobs in the 15-lapper. That earned him a tail-end starting berth in the B-main, which he won. Starting at the tail of the championship feature, he placed fifth when the final checkers flew.
Results –
1. Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.
2. Bobby Davis Jr., Memphis, Tenn.
3. Dave Blaney, Hartford, Ohio
4. Sammy Swindell, Bartlett, Tenn.
5. Doug Wolfgang, Sioux Falls, S.D.
6. Mark Kinser, Oolitic, Ind.
7. Joey Allen, Hanover, Penn.
8. Danny Smith, Danville, Ind.
9. Jimmy Sills, Fairfield, Penn.
10.Cris Eash, Woodbine, Md.
11.Jack Hewitt, Troy, Ohio
12.Danny Lasoski, Dover, Mo.
13.Johny Herrera, Albuquerque, N.M.
14.Don Krietz Jr., Sinking Springs, Penn.
15.Bobby Allen, Hanover, Penn.
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