Sheldon Kinser

Six-time starter in Indianapolis 500, charged from 23rd to highest Indy career finish of 6th in 1981 500 … had never driven rear-engine car or raced on pavement before qualifying 26th and finishing 12th as rookie in ’75 Indy 500 … National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee (1992) came out of Navy in early ’60s to start career with dominance at hometown Bloomington Speedway, including one stretch of 13 straight feature wins … in ’65 switched to sprint cars, teamed with longtime friend/mechanic Galen Cox, won estimated 50 “outlaw” races … ran 7th in first USAC sprint race, 1973 Hulman Classic at Terre Haute, came back to win Hulman race in 1981, one of 37 USAC sprint victories … won 3 season championships (1977, ’81, ’82) … on dirt, won 5 major races, including 1985 Hoosier Hundred and 1975 Syracuse 100-miler … married Suzie Grim, daughter of 1959 Indy Rookie of Year Bobby Grim …. died at 45 Aug. 8, 1988, of throat cancer.