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

I always enjoyed watching Mark Kinser; does anyone know what he is doing these days? He seems to have completely vanished from public view.

I've read two things on the internet so I'll share.

1. He went into the witness protection program after revealing how Schatz hides his traction control.

2. He is transportation director for Laidlaw School Bus Company.

TSA...It's not a GROPE...it's a Freedom Pat!

Oh boy, this is a question that pops up at least five times a year and this is number one for 2010. See how many replies this one gets. Last one was over 100 I do believe.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

call me stupid but i would really like to know what mark is up to, not a ton of stupid answers, if anyone knows the truth just state it. then everyone else can start the dumb answers

See answer above. Not in witness protection.

I would be cool to hear about Mark,without all the stupid comments,Mark was a great driver.Wonder if he ever goes and watches the races.Would be great to see him in a sprint car again.

I'll bet his district has the fastest buses in the county!!!

Why does this question have to come up all the time? You people that wonder what he is doing need to check out the board more frequently, this question comes up multiple times throughout the year!

Truthfully, last I heard was he is basically a stay at home dad, that works part time at the Lumber Yard that this cousin Kelly works at....

In a recent interview, he said the only thing he misses about sprint car racing is coming out of turn four for the start of the feature watching the green flag drop, and thats it. He hasn't been to a race, or even watched one since he retired.

Also heard, he was offered a ride in one of Kasey's kars, when Kasey was first getting into ownership. When he refused the ride, his wife made him sleep in the motorhome for a month.

Karl does nothing but gamble on the river boats, and works on his classic cars.

Brandon McLain
United Sprint Car Series Driver
2014 Season
National Rookie of the Year!
National Points - 8th
Southern Points - 3rd
Asphalt Points - 3rd
18 Races, 3 Top 5's, 14 Top 10's

Thank you for the info.

www.harleytrikes.com

In a recent interview, he said the only thing he misses about sprint car racing is coming out of turn four for the start of the feature watching the green flag drop, and that's it.

I've never been one to bash anybody on this forum and even though that was totally my intent when I started this, I chickened out because I don't know the guy and have no right to pass judgement. But WOW, earth to Mark!! I guess when you don't have the drive anymore it's time to quit. I'll give him credit for that.

Sounds like a realistic question to me. WHY DOES ONE HAVE TO CATCH SO MUCH CRAP FOR JUST ASKING A QUESTION.

Rim Rider

I remember reading an article about Andy Hillenburg (OK) years ago talking about he doesn't have to race, that he enjoyed it, that he wanted to race. Came from a wealthy family & all.

If Mark doesn't have to race to make a living, if he is happy... more power to him. A dangerous sport like sprint car racing... or bull riding... or anything else where the danger is higher than say, badminton, if you don't love it... it can't possibly be worth the risk. Driving for a paycheck sounds like a good way to get hurt.

Losing the mental edge that made you a champion... its a scary concept. I remember a victory lane speech (Knoxville I believe) where Mark rambled on about him & his father, it was really awkward. That was a first indication to me that Mark was a little "different".

Not showing up to be honored at the King's Royal a few years ago... that's disrespecting the sport IMO. The sport gave an opportunity to make $$$ and a career instead of working at a lumberyard your whole life... it isn't too much to ask for you to show up and wave at some fans that absolutely love and respect you for your accomplishments.

Mark quit cold turkey. Maybe that's what it took for him to position everything in his mind just the way he needed to. Maybe racing is like drugs... you can't "ease out of it" and watch people doing it every once in awhile. Do it or don't. One or the other.

Thanks for the memories. You have nothing to prove to me or anyone else. Our opinions are just opinions and no more important than anyone else's. It has to be a nice thought that we're still talking about you years after you quit but the constant cartoon image of bus driving can't be a proud moment. Guess that's what happens when public figures become a recluse and leave it all to conjecture.

if Mark wanted u to know why Mark quit then u would know why Mark quit same can be sed for Karl there are lots of people that know all the details and thy aren't talking either me i don't know anything i just like cool buss

Robert Bond    San Jose Ca

Now who can argue with that?

Don't know why you think Furr stopped racing.

He still runs out here in Cali...both a 360 and occasionally a 410.

He is a business owner (two tire shops I think) so he does have to "work" occasionally.

Last I heard he also had a child. Maybe thinking about the child's future. I've heard some parents do that!

TSA...It's not a GROPE...it's a Freedom Pat!

I've no info on Mark but I talked with Brad Furr last october at the Trophy Cup.

He did have the "Big-O Tires" store but has sold it and said he was spending time with his family.

You're right, he is a dad now!

I can't speak for Andy or Mark but I know the only way I was able to leave the sport was to stay away. It'll be 18 years this June since I raced but when I do attend a race which for the last few years I may go to one race a year just to say hi to the handful of guys a raced with that are still doing it, it still makes me want to race. Ex drivers for the most part are terrible spectators. I know my dad Steve would have never gone to a race had I not been racing and even then he wasn't going to see a race, he went to visit with me. After I moved away from the Ohio area if my family wanted to see me more than at just Christmas time they had to attend a race to do it.

Rick Ungar