Whether succeeding or struggling, Kraig Kinser said he wants to do it against the best drivers.
To him, that’s with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.
The Bloomington, IN driver and 2005 Knoxville Nationals winner entered his 17th full-time season with the World of Outlaws this year at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. While he questioned the bandwidth of his team for the season, Kinser said his love and passion for the Series continues to push him.
“Racing keeps me going,” Kinser said. “Fans keep me going. My love of it keeps me going. If I didn’t have love… any of the guys, from the guys that work on the tires to anybody, the guy that scrapes mud off the car, if they don’t love it, they’re not going to last. It’s what keeps us together, our love for racing,”
While Kinser claimed his 150th top-five finish last year, he also went through a drought and ended the year with one top-five and three top-10 finishes.
He didn’t get as much time in the shop as he would’ve liked in the off season to prepare for 2023, but is committed to bettering his program and see if he can still make it with his own team. Part of that means setting his hopes and goals for the 2023 season one race at a time.
He finished 23rd during the two opening World of Outlaws nights of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, hitting the wall one night and bending a frame. However, with the World of Outlaws returning to Volusia Speedway Park in March during Bike Week to finish the rain delayed DIRTcar Nationals Feature, along with the already scheduled Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown doubleheader, Kinser said he thinks that could help get his program back on a good foot, already having notes from Volusia.
“I hope it will,” Kinser said. “We get a good solid look at our program and then we get a shot, which it is unusual for us to get another shot at the same track that quick. That’ll be nice.”
No matter the outcome, he said he’s where he wants to be – with the World of Outlaws.
“It’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I think my track record has showed that I’ve tried to be on the Outlaws for as long as I can. It’s where I want to be at.
“It’s the best. I want to run against the best and I want to compete against the best. I like traveling to different tracks. I like the competitors. I like the fans. I love Indiana but I like running against the best. Whether it’s struggling, whether it is success, I like it all happening against the best drivers.”
For tickets to the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown at Volusia Speedway Park, March 5-6, which includes the holdover Feature from DIRTcar Nationals, CLICK HERE.
If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.
