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CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 3, 2007) – Two-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series
champion Tony Stewart announced tonight that World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint
Series driver Kraig Kinser will join Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) beginning with
the 2008 season. Kinser will replace Paul McMahan in the No. 20 Bass Pro
Shops/J.D. Byrider/Chevrolet entry.
“I’m excited about joining forces with such an established
team,” said Kinser, an eight-time WoO race winner, which includes a
victory at the prestigious Knoxville (Iowa)
Nationals in 2005. “Tony Stewart Racing has a proven track record
with the World of Outlaws, and I’m looking forward to making a return to
the series with a team of this caliber.”
Kinser’s teammate will be reigning WoO Sprint Series driver Donny
Schatz, who will join TSR beginning with the 2008 season in the No. 15 Armor
All/ParkerStore/Chevrolet machine.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Kraig Kinser to our race
team,” said Stewart, TSR team owner. “To be able to work with
a driver of Kraig’s talent is a great opportunity for all of us.
His proven skill behind the wheel will continue to help TSR grow into a
stronger organization.
“Just as Levi Jones, Tracy Hines and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., helped
step up our USAC program, we expect Kraig Kinser and Donny Schatz to do the
same with our World of Outlaws team.”
Bass Pro Shops, recently voted the No. 1 outdoor retailer in America
by Sporting Goods Business Magazine
and the primary sponsor of the No. 20 Chevrolet-powered entry that Kinser will
pilot next season, welcomes Kinser to the TSR family.
“Bass Pro Shops is extremely proud of our relationship with Tony
Stewart Racing,” said Jim Hagale, president of Bass Pro Shops.
“While we’ve been very happy with the performance of the No. 20
team, the addition of Kraig Kinser for 2008 takes our program to another
level. Kraig’s past performance and his family’s racing
heritage will provide the opportunity for Bass Pro Shops and TSR to contend for
the WoO Sprint Series championship.”
The familiar Bass Pro Shops paint scheme will continue to adorn the No.
20 for the 2008 season. The Chevrolet-powered winged sprint car will be
overseen by longtime TSR crew chief Jimmy Carr, who will head up both of
TSR’s WoO Sprint Series programs.
Since its formation in November 2000, TSR has earned seven owner
championships. Danny Lasoski earned TSR’s first championship in its
inaugural season competing in the WoO Sprint Series, taking the 2001
title. J.J. Yeley, Stewart’s teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, earned a
USAC Sprint car championship for TSR in 2003. And in a co-owner role with
Bob East, TSR won four straight USAC Silver Crown championships from 2002 to
2005 with a handful of drivers that included Yeley, Kasey Kahne and Dave
Steele. In 2006, TSR earned the USAC Sprint car title with Josh
Wise. Additionally, TSR has three Knoxville Nationals championships in
the WoO Sprint Series, as Lasoski captured wins in the famed winged sprint car
event in 2001, 2003 and 2004.
For more information
regarding TSR or Bass Pro Shops, visit www.tonystewartracing.com or www.basspro.com.
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