The start to the 2014 Stockton racing season is just a week away, as the best Sprint Car drivers in the world prepare for the two-night “FVP Western Spring Shootout” featuring the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, on March 21-22 at the Stockton Dirt Track located at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.

To begin the festivities, Hall of Fame driver Steve Kinser will be presented with Key to the City during ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 20 at Webber Point (221 N. Center St.).

A Bloomington, Ind. native, Kinser’s final full-time season will be celebrated all year long with a “Salute to the King” tour in honor of the man known quite simply as the “King of the Outlaws.”

 “I am very excited about these events coming to Stockton. We do have positive events in our City and we definitely need to support them,” said Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva. 

Kinser is considered to be the greatest Sprint Car driver of all-time. He is the all-time winningest competitor in STP World of Outlaws history with 576 career triumphs and 20 championships with the series.

Kinser has captured all of Sprint Car racing’s biggest events, including 12 titles at the prestigious Knoxville Nationals in Iowa and 12 victories at California’s biggest showcase - the Gold Cup Race of Champions in Chico. He also finished 14th in the 1997 Indianapolis 500 & even had a stint in the NASCAR Cup Series during his storied career. Kinser is a fourteen-time National 410 Sprint Car Driver of the Year and a 19-time American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association All-American honoree.

“This is a really exciting event for the city of Stockton and what we’re trying to do more & more is showcase just how large motorsports is in the town,” said Tony Noceti of the Stockton Dirt Track. “When it comes to Sprint Car racing across the world there is nobody bigger than Steve Kinser, so awarding him with the key to the city at City Hall is going to be pretty special.”

Kinser also happens to drive a race car owned by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart.

“I never missed a World of Outlaw show in the area when I was growing up. We waited for those nights like they were holidays,” said Stewart. “A few years ago, when we had the chance to get Steve Kinser to drive for Tony Stewart Racing, it was like a dream come true.”

The public is welcome to come and attend the ceremony to witness Kinser’s presentation ceremony.

For more information on the Stockton Dirt Track go online at www.stocktondirttrack.com