Kinser leads wire-wire to win 23rd sprint race

Monday, Nov. 3, 1997 | 8:32 a.m.

PHOENIX -- Mark Kinser may be feeling a little lucky when he pulls into Las Vegas for this week's Pennzoil World of Outlaws Gold Eagle Finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Kinser tuned up for the Outlaws season finale with his 23rd sprint car win of the year in the Action Performance World of Outlaws Western World Sprint Car Championship Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway. Kinser, from Oolitic, Ind., got the jump off the pole and led flag-to-flag in the 30-lap main event.

Stevie Smith finished second but never seriously challenged Kinser. Series points leader Sammy Swindell was third and Dave Blaney and Andy Hillenburg rounded out the top five. Jeff Swindell drove out of the 19th starting position and finished sixth.

The 72-race World of Outlaws series draws to a close Tuesday and Wednesday night with full programs both nights at LVMS' half-mile dirt oval. Gates open at 2 p.m. both days, time trials begin at 6 p.m. and heat races start at 7 p.m.

Tuesday's program will be televised live by ESPN (Prime Cable Channel 19) while Wednesday's action will be taped for delayed broadcast by TNN (Prime Cable Channel 29).

Tickets for the Gold Eagle Finale are $30 for adults and $10 for children each day. A two-day pass may be purchased for $50 (adults) and $15 (children).