The youth movement in sprint car racing in central Pennsylvania and around the country cannot be denied. However, veterans like Fred Rahmer and Keith Kauffman aren’t ready to pass the torch yet. Even the King of the Outlaws continues to add to his legacy.

Evidently, the youth movement is on hold...

When Steve Kinser won the World of Outlaws feature at Williams Grove Speedway last Thursday, May 15, he became the third driver of at least 50-years-old to win there this season.
Evidently, the youth movement is on hold at the historic speedway.
Rahmer, who turned 50 in March, won the season opener at the Grove, and continues to lead the point standings in search of his eighth track title. Rahmer already has the most titles at the Grove and the most wins at 75.
There’s no doubt Rahmer’s desire to win is as strong as it was 20 years ago. On numerous occasions this season at Williams Grove and Lincoln speedways, Rahmer has charged from the back to score top-five finishes.
Kauffman, at age 57, won his 52nd-career Grove feature two weeks ago by narrowly beating Rahmer in what became a 10-lap duel between two of the best sprint-car racers in history.
And the trend continued when 52-year-old Kinser parked the familiar No. 11 in the Grove’s victory lane for the first time in a few seasons.
Kinser’s win total of 38 at the Grove is remarkable considering he’s never been a regular. He is tied with the great Kenny Weld, a five-time Grove champion, in seventh on the all-time list.
Second on the all-time win list is Lance Dewease, followed by Don Kreitz, Jr., Kauffman, Lynn Paxton, Smokey Snellbaker, Weld and Kinser.
Rahmer runs in every race he possibly can, while Kauffman has backed off his schedule somewhat racing weekly only at Port Royal Speedway where he holds records for wins (126) and track championships (13).
Kauffman also runs select big shows at other speedways. Rahmer also continues to dominate at Lincoln Speedway, where he has three wins and four runner-ups. He leads the win list with 156 and has the most titles with 10.
These guys are all in good cars and they continue to prove that age is really just a number — even in sprint-car racing.
For as long as these guys have been in the sport, the rivalry between the World of Outlaws and Pa. Posse has been around, too.
The 2008 version got started Thursday night with Kinser getting the win.
Williams Grove regulars had a decent night, placing five drivers in the top 10 with Doug Esh having the best finish in fourth. Esh started out the night storming from sixth to win his heat race. The win included a pass of Kinser.
Grove regular and former Outlaw Craig Keel nearly pulled off a monumental upset. He won the dash and led most of the feature. He finished second, but was light on the scale and disqualified.
Six of the top-10 qualifers were also Grove regulars, with Greg Hodnett setting fast time.
Impressive timers were 18-year-old Cody Darrah in third and 410-rookie Pat Cannon sixth.
Lucas Wolfe spent five seasons in central Pa. before going full time with the Outlaws. His return home resulted in a heat win and a fifth-place finish.
Former Posse regular Jason Johnson made his debut in a second Kasey Kahne-owned entry.