Wanted to share this because I thought it was a cool story this guy Justin Altemeier just shared on Facebook about Steve Kinser at Knoxville Nationals in 1990.
Justin Altemeier Best story I have is (it's kinda long, lol):
I have attended Knoxville nationals every year since 1990 with my Mother who was a HUGE sprint car fan. And every year my Dad, who wasn't a huge sprint car fan would stay home. Now, mind you we only live about 28 miles north of Knoxville in the country,Northwest of the little city of Newton. Well, about 7 more miles northwest of our place is the small town of Baxter. Well in the days leading up to Knoxville nationals my Dad, who was a tavern patron in Baxter, occasionally(lol), and didn't know a stranger, struck up a conversation with out-of-towners he remembered seeing each year around nationals time in Baxter. Well one of the Gentleman's name was I believe Warren and my Dad mentioned to him that his wife and son were in Knoxville for the nationals. Well this is where the story and memories get good. Warren told my Dad He and his group were Sprint car fans from Indiana and relayed stories about how a certain young man used to lay block for him before he became a legendary sprint car driver and that guy just happened to be Steve Kinser, and that when he talked to us on the phone we needed to go find Steve's Motorcoach knock on the door and give him a message. Needless to say, my Dad was like a 5 year old, on Christmas morning, that just got the toy he had dreamed of his whole life. My Dad called us on the phone and could hardly contain himself to tell us his news. Warren told my Dad where Steve's coach was parked and what to tell the lady at the gate to let us get by Steve's coach. Well, to be honest, up until that day we weren't really 11 fans lol which was all about to change. I myself am not a real outgoing social butterfly type of person but my Mom sure was, after we were off the phone with my Dad we hopped in the truck and drove up and parked south of the old Pamida store north of the north track gate. We walked up to the gate attendant, mentioned to her what Warren said (at this point I had little hope of her letting us go to Steve's coach where ever it was parked) she laughed and pointed saying it's right there, literally 15 feet from us. She said I think Steve is there but I'm not sure. We apprehensively walked up to this huge Prevost coach and I being the timid one said I am NOT knocking on Steve Kinser's door. Well, my Mother wasn't bashful so she walked right up and knocked on the door. A short time later the door opened and here was Steve, in plain old ratty clothes with socks with a hole in one toe,LOL. He said can I help you? My Mom with out missing a beat said I have a message for you, Steve replied what's that? My Mom replied: Warren says you're an a$$ho!e well Steve busted into a laugh that half of Knoxville could have heard and roared come on in. I refused to go in out of respect but that didn't stop my outspoken mother. They talked for a couple minutes then came back outside so Steve could have a smoke, Steve asked if we had my phone and if my Dad would be home to answer,l did. Well, all we could do was try. I dialed our house number and Dad answered. I Handed Steve the phone and he spent the next 10 minutes talking to my Dad like he had known him forever. It turns out Warren and his group somehow stumbled upon the little town of Baxter by pure chance, liked the town and decided to stay there every year for the days leading up to race nights during nationals. Warren was Steve's boss before he became a professional race driver. We were Kinser fans from then on because this was proof of him being a good guy who could have easily said I don't know who Warren is and dismissed it from there. But from then on for the next few years everytime he would see us in the pits he would ask if Warren had anymore messages for him. My Mom passed away in April of 2014 but this was the Highlight of her MANY years attending the Nationals.
