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Ted Johnson realized this new breed of Outlaws had gained acceptance and in 1976 Ted held the Boothilll Nationals in Shreveport, Louisiana. One year later he leased Lincoln Speedway in Pennsylvania for two nights. Then in 1978 Johnson raised the curtain on the World of Outlaws. The Pennzoil World of Outlaws is the biggest, richest and furthest reaching sprintcars series in history. Its first champion was predicted to be Rick Ferkel, known far and wide as the Ohio traveler. But, a pair of Indiana cousins stole the crown with a car belonging to Karl Kinser, who had won the ’74 Nationals with Dick Gaines. Karl’s driver in ’78 was burly Steve Kinser, king of the first three Outlaw seasons and eventual dominator of the series. The only man to ever interrupt eleven years of Kinser titles was Sammy Swindell, champion in 1981 and ’82. Some of the stars that chased Sammy and Kinser across the country were: Shane Carson, Bobby Davis and Brad Doty. Davis began as a mechanic for Sammy Swindell, while Brad had chased his boyhood hero, Opperman, to Pennsylvania. Bobby became champion in ’89 over Sammy’s brother Jeff. For another five straight seasons, Steve and Karl Kinser returned to the top spot. Karl introduced son Mark to the road and swept first and second in the ’91 standings. Stevie Smith joined the tour in 1990 and was second to Steve Kinser in ’92. Dave Blaney began his Outlaw career in 1988 and seven years later stepped into Steve’s vacant throne by edging fellow Ohio native Jac Haudenschild. Steve Kinser then took time out from the Outlaws to try Winston Cup racing. His return pitted cousin against cousin. Mark and Karl competed against Steve and his crew chief Scott Gerkin. Their first season as rivals culminated in Mark’s first championship. While Mark also tested NASCAR waters, Steve surrendered the ’97 crown to 20-year thorn Sammy Swindell, only to regain it in ’98. Mark and Carl held off Danny Lasoski to be the ’99 champions. Steve won back the crown in 2000. It’s doubtful that the great IMCA champion Bobby Grimm, barnstorming between the county fairs in the 1950’s, could have foreseen the six figure paydays, the luxury motor coaches, or skybox suites that are so much a part of sprintcar racing today. Yet, it was pioneers such as Grimm and Jan Opperman who helped pour the foundation for the greatest show on dirt. The Pennzoil World of Outlaws.
The Original Outlaws (left to right ) Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Rick Ferkel
Steve Kinser Sammy Swindell Danny Lasoski
Mark Kinser Donny Schatz Craig Dollansky
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