KINSER WINS CLASH
Indianapolis Star, 8/4/1986
Indianapolis 500 veteran Sheldon Kinser of Bloomington, Ind., won the inaugural Wabash Clash USAC Sprint Car race at the Terre Haute Action Track, leading 37 laps for his 36th career USAC Sprint triumph.
Kinser took the lead from Steve Butler on the 14th lap and led the rest of the way in his Pointe Golf & Tennis Resorts Chevy.
Crestliner Vans Series point leader Rick Hood of Indianapolis finished second, with Larry Rice of Brownsburg third, Butler of Kokomo fourth, and Jerry Russell of Springfield, Ill., fifth.
Rich Vogler of Indianapolis led the first 12 laps before a flat tire sent him to the back of the pack. He later dropped out.
50-lap Feature: 1. Sheldon Kinser, 2. Rick Hood, 3. Larry Rice, 4. Steve Butler, 5. Jerry Russell, 6. Jack Hewitt, 7. Tony Elliott, 8. Paul Huntington, 9. Greg Staab, 10. Jack Ziegler. Heat Winners: Butler, Vogler, Russell & Hewitt. Last Chance Winner: Gary Hayhurst.
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This was anticipated to be the biggest sprint car race of the year in both size of field (expected more than 50 cars) and purse ($4,500 to win/$17,545 total).
Practice at noon, first heat race at 1:00 pm.
Used format where heats were lined up by draw instead of qualifications.
