Sheldon Kinser was arguably the best open-wheel sprint-car racer of his time.
While his career stretched from the short tracks of his native Indiana to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other Indy-car venues, he will always be known for his prowess in a sprint car.
Kinser won 37 USAC sprint-car races and claimed the series championship three times — 1977, 1981 and 1982. He also earned five USAC midget triumphs.
He made 38 Indy car starts, including six Indianapolis 500s. His best finish at Indy was 10th in 1979.
Kinser died of cancer in 1988 at age 43.
Featured here (clockwise from top left): In victory lane July 1981 at Santa Fe Speedway; Talking to Bentley Warren (left); Speaking to team chief mechanic A.J. Watson while behind the wheel of the No. 24 Thermo-King Watson at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Sharing a laugh with Tom Bigelow (right) in 1986 at Kokomo Speedway; In victory lane after a 1976 USAC score at Eldora Speedway; Receiving a sweet reward; On his way to an Aug. 1983 USAC sprint-car feature victory at Eldora Speeday. — NSSN Archives