Legends In The Making

2/8/2016

All Star Circuit of Champions

Legends In The Making

Legends In The Making (Paul Arch Photo)
Iconic Steve Kinser Racing, Arctic Cat Brands To Join Forces For 2016 Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Tour with Drivers Kraig & Steve Kinser

Plymouth, Minn. (Feb. 8, 2016) – Arctic Cat, one of the most widely recognized and legendary names in the snowmobile, ATV and Side-by-Side industry, announced today its partnership with another legendary brand, Steve Kinser Racing (SKR) and driver Kraig Kinser for the 2016 racing season with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Series (ASCoC.) In a first for both iconic brands, this season will see the Kinser name compete in a full season of ASCoC competition, marking the first time that both Arctic Cat & SKR will have a full-time presence in the series.

Owned by Three-Time NASCAR Champion, Tony Stewart, the All Star Circuit of Champions if one of the oldest traveling sprint car organizations and is a staple of grassroots, open-wheel racing. Arctic Cat was announced as the series’ primary partner on Jan. 11, 2016, and has quickly re-established itself in the world of Sprint Car racing since its re-emergence with Kinser for three high-profile events in 2015. The newly named Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions will return to action on Feb. 10 – 11 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., with the 2016 DIRTcar Nationals.

“All of us at Arctic Cat are thrilled to be have an opportunity to work with the iconic Steve Kinser Racing team and our driver, Kraig Kinser,” said Greg Williamson, Chief Marketing Officer for Arctic Cat. “Any time we place the Arctic Cat brand on a vehicle, you know it’s built with pride for people who appreciate perseverance and tradition. We feel that Kraig (Kinser) and the Steve Kinser Racing team exemplify our values and the approach we apply to growing our brand. We’re looking forward to seeing the team strive for success on the track again this year.”

Kinser will pilot a special-schemed No. 11K Arctic Cat entry that will showcase the brand’s dynamic side-by-side, the Wildcat®. The high-performance, high-powered side-by-side will be showcased at numerous All Star events over the course of the 2016 season. Riders will participate in Wildcat exhibitions, racing head-to-head on the same racing surfaces that Kinser and other ASCoC drivers will compete on. Arctic Cat representatives will be in attendance regularly over the course of the season, displaying current and new models, as well as conducting ride-and-drive events for race fans.

“This is going to be a year of firsts for our team, and I couldn’t be prouder to take on a new season and a new series with Arctic Cat as our partner,” said Kraig Kinser, driver of the No. 11K Arctic Cat/MVT/King Racing Products entry. “It’s a privilege to carry such a well-known and historic brand on our cars and it’s a natural fit for our race team. It’s a huge opportunity to showcase Arctic Cat in their flagship car in the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Series and we hope that we can make an impact for them as they broaden their reach in Sprint Car racing.”

Kinser will star in an ASCoC lineup in 2016 that features some of the best Sprint Car drivers & teams in the country. Having a high profile portfolio of success behind him, Kinser will embark on his first career full-time season with the ASCoC. Returning from back surgery late in 2015, the 2005 Knoxville Nationals champion will look to add the title of Arctic Cat ASCoC Series Champion to his impressive resume’.

The 2016 season will also see 20-Time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion and SKR proprietor, Steve Kinser, return to the seat for select events this year. Known as ‘The King of the Outlaws,’ Kinser represents the gold standard in sprint car racing and is a motorsports legend throughout the sport. The iconic No. 11 entry will carry a familiar color, as the car will carry Arctic Cat green that has been synonymous with the Kinser name for over 30 years.

“Everyone at Steve Kinser Racing is extremely proud to carry the Arctic Cat brand on our cars this year,” said Steve Kinser, owner of Steve Kinser Racing. “For me especially, having a green racecar again is kind of like coming home. The color has been a part of our family’s race team for a long time, and as I begin to wrap up my career, it will be especially special to have Arctic Cat on a green No. 11.”

Arctic Cat & Kraig Kinser

Arctic Cat, one of the most widely recognized and respected names in the snowmobile, ATV and side-by-side industry, partnered with SKR and driver Kraig Kinser for three of the biggest Sprint car races of the 2015 season. Kinser has raced the Arctic Cat Wildcat-branded No. 11k in the 32nd annual Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio and during the 55th annual Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway. He wrapped up the 2015 season with the Arctic Cat brand with the World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Charlotte Motor Speedway.

In addition, Arctic Cat will award all-terrain vehicles to the top-three drivers in the final 2016 Arctic Cat ASCoC Series standings. The 2016 ASCoC Champion will receive a 150cc Alterra ATV, with second and third place each receiving a 90cc Alterra ATV. Arctic Cat will also provide products to be used by ASCoC officials and technicians on race day, including Alterra ATVs and a Prowler. Race fans can learn more about Arctic Cat and its available products at www.ArcticCat.com. The brand is also on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/arcticcat.atv or on follow on Twitter at @arcticcat_atv.

Those seeking additional information regarding the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions should visit www.AllStarSprint.com or follow the series on Twitter at @ASCoC. Additional information regarding Steve Kinser & SKR can be found on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SteveKinser or on Twitter at @SteveKinser_Rcg. Kraig Kinser fans can follow him on Twitter @KraigKinser11K and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/KraigKinser11K.

About Arctic Cat
The Arctic Cat brand is among the most widely recognized and respected in the recreational vehicle industry. The company designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides and snowmobiles, in addition to related parts, garments and accessories under the Arctic Cat® and Motorfist® brand names. Arctic Cat Inc.’s world headquarters are located in Minneapolis, Minn. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “ACAT.” More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available at www.ArcticCat.com.

About Steve Kinser Racing
Steve Kinser Racing (SKR) is owned by 20-Time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion, Steve Kinser. Located in Bloomington, Ind., SKR fields the No. 11K winged sprint car entry driven by Kraig Kinser and the No. 11 entry driven by Steve Kinser. Additional information regarding Steve Kinser & SKR can be found on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SteveKinser or on Twitter at @SteveKinser_Rcg. Kraig Kinser fans can follow him on Twitter @KraigKinser11K and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/KraigKinser11K.

About Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Series
Home to "America's Series" since 1970
The Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Series is one of the oldest traveling sprint car organizations and is a staple of grassroots, open-wheel racing.

Formed in 1970 by Bud Miller, the series has largely been considered the first ‘outlaw’ Sprint Car organization of the modern era. After a 10 year stint as the owner of the All Stars, Miller passed control of the series to Bert Emick in 1980; a reign that would continue through 2002. Guy Webb then purchased the series from Emick in the summer of 2002 and served as the series President for the next 12 years.

Motorsports entrepreneur Tony Stewart agreed to terms with Guy Webb to become the sole owner of the original winged sprint car tour in January of 2015. Stewart and his team look forward to building on the All Star Series impressive legacy by taking it to a new level of success and sustainability.