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Penske Entertainment/Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sheldon Kinser started 23rd and finished sixth in the 1981 Indianapolis 500. |
Welcome to our monthlong countdown celebrating notable
drivers and cars from the Indianapolis 500!
Sheldon Kinser was a throwback to how drivers once earned an opportunity to
race in the Indianapolis 500. He came up through the ranks, honing his skills
on the short tracks across Indiana and the Midwest. A three-time USAC Sprint
Car Series Champion (1977, 1981, 1982), the Bloomington, Indiana, native made
his 500 debut in 1975, driving the Spirit of Indiana and finishing 12th.
He was in the 500 lineup from 1975-79 before failing to qualify in 1980. Kinser, a distant cousin of Steve Kinser, returned in 1981 with Bobby Hillin’s Longhorn Racing team and Sergio Valente backing. Sergio Valente was definitely a “fancy pants” sponsor as the company produced designer jeans.
The field for the 1981 Indianapolis 500 had several colorful and interesting cars, but Kinser’s ride still managed to stand out. He finished an excellent sixth in what proved to be his final Indianapolis 500.
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