Kraig Kinser is the son of the most famous sprint-car driver in dirt-track racing history. But Steve Kinser’s progeny has turned down a different road in his racing career. And not only is it paved, it doesn’t come with a large wing mounted on top of his car. The younger Kinser, a 20-year-old Bloomington, Ind., native, debuted in the U.S. Auto Club’s Silver Crown division last week in the Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway. The Copper World was Kinser’s first race on a pavement track and his second driving a car without a wing. His debut without a wing came last month in the Chili Bowl, an indoor midget race in Tulsa, Okla. Kinser still plans to race his father some this season in a World of Outlaws sprint car, but NASCAR, which the older Kinser tried briefly in 1995, could be in his future. “Let’s see where this goes first,” Kraig said. Nextel Cup driver #9-Kasey Kahne, a former USAC midget champion who hired Kinser in December, is the owner of this expanding Silver Crown team based in Mooresville, N.C., near many of the NASCAR shops. Much of the team’s financial backing comes from Dodge, which is increasing its presence in NASCAR. Kahne’s other Silver Crown driver is Erin Crocker, who has a development contract with the same Evernham Motorsports team that employs Kahne in the Nextel Cup division.(in part from the Indy Star)(2-9-2005)
