Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I think I remember Brad telling me that he finished 2nd to Steve about 40 times in one season or maybe it was in his career but either way that is an astounding number....

Kreitz was extremely difficult to beat at the Grove and that surface usually benefitted his style. He does have a King's Royal to his credit although I imagine that's not included as an Outlaw win.

Stevie led the Outlaws in A main wins in 1998, the first full year of Ingersoll-Rand sponsorship and was close to a championship a couple of years. Brad's career was cut much too short!

I know only 11 World of Outlaws wins is SHOCKING to me too! It makes me crazy every time I see that stat cause it makes me think of the ones that got away.

My rookie season with the WoO was in 1982 and I came close to winning my first WoO race a few times that year but had something happen late in the race, like a last lap flat tire in Butler, Michigan. I did win the WoO Rookie of the Year to salvage something out of the year.

In March of 1983 I finally won my first WoO race at Oklahoma City, Ok.

I don't think I ran all the WoO races in 1984 but I do know that was the year I was leading the Gold Cup at Chico and broke a drive line with 2 laps to go. See, I told you I remember the ones that got away!

In 1985 I only ran a portion of the WoO schedule and not sure if I won a WoO race that year or not.

In 1986 season I won the Pacific Coast Open at Ascot Park to end the season but I don't remember the total wins on the year.

We started the 1987 season right back at Ascot with a 2 day season opener and I won both days for a great start to my best season ever but unfortunately for me, and everyone else, Steve set all kinds of records that year. He won something like 47 out of 69 races that year, including 26 out of the last 27!

I won a measly 4 races, plus a couple of prelim wins, but I had a lot of seconds and thirds, and finished second in the WoO points to Kinser.

Someone once told me I finished second to Kinser 30 some times that year, but that was including heat races etc..

After 2 races into the 1988 season I left the Kepler #18, formerly the Marks & Kepler team, and then moved in and out of a couple cars before my career ending crash at Eldora in July.

And as they say, "the rest is history"!

This is a classic case of...the older I get the faster I was!!! LOL!

Thanks for weighing in on the thread, Brad. It was nice to read your thoughts on the topic.

Brad thanks for the story. I saw you in the 28D and thats where I got my number. 

Thanks Brad. I was only 11 years old in 87 but remember how tough Steve was that year. 87 and 96 were my favorite years because of how good Karl's stuff was. You in 87 and Blaney in 96 were amazing but just not insane! Second place was more than the first loser when Karl was on his game.

Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3 
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?

Don't forget, prelim nights didn't count toward the totals up until sometime in the last decade so Stevie could very well have a bunch more than that and be higher on the list.

...

I've always thought that if Brad hadn't gotten hurt the Big 3 would have became the Big 4! Steve, Sammy, Doug, and Brad.

Lucky for the "younger" guys that Doug and Brad still aren't out there though. They're still having a tough enough time a lot of nights just with Steve and Sammy! LOL!