BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Racing insiders were quick to note that Kraig Kinser’s longtime crew chief, Mikey Kuemper, was missing when Kinser unloaded for the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Raceway Park.
And Kinser’s mount wasn’t the usual shiny, sponsor covered mount of the past, so when he was the last B-main qualifier on Tuesday and missed the feature on Wednesday and Thursday, questions arose as to his plans for the year.
“I’m here in Florida and that’s all I know,” said Kinser Wednesday. But by Thursday he had signed on with the platinum program to run the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series tour again in 2023.
“I thought about giving it up for a year and regrouping, because I really like driving for myself. I thought about going day to day, but I decided I’d really miss being on the road with the Outlaws. That’s been my life.”
Kinser is the son of 20-time series champion Steve Kinser.
“He signed his agreement today and he’s out there for the year unless he decides he’s had enough,” said Steve Kinser, who was busy trying to get his son’s car working better for Thursday’s WoO opener. “I made more money driving than I did owning. There’s a lot less stress that way, but he likes driving for himself.
“Kraig doesn’t get much money from me, which is the way he wants to do it. He needs some more help but it’s tough,” Steve Kinser added. “There are a lot of good cars and drivers out here today.”
When asked what he would do if he wasn’t racing, Kraig Kinser’s response was a laugh, followed by “I have no idea. But I’ll find something if it comes to that.”