The results are in for SprintCarUnlimited.com’s Top Car Owners since 1985 Bracket Tournament Round of 16, and there was one minor upset and a close call.
Here is a breakdown of who lost and what car owner will be moving on to the Quarterfinal Round in the bracket.
Karl Kinser (1) vs. Bob Stewart (17): Stewart was a sentimental favorite in the first round, but that didn’t stack up with the huge résumé Kinser posted in his career. The legendary mechanic/owner netted 87.50 percent of the vote and took care of Stewart with ease to move into the quarterfinal round.
Dennis Roth (9) vs. Casey Luna (8): This one surprised me a little bit in that Luna has been beloved over the years. Instead, Roth got the California vote and was able to garner 61.36 percent of the vote to Luna’s 38.64 percent. I guess Sprint Car fans are all supporters of Chevrolet.
Kasey Kahne Racing (4) vs. Tod Quiring (13): This one was no contest from the time the poll went up. Kasey Kahne Racing lapped Quiring with 94.32 percent of the vote in a match-up that was reminiscent of Duke beating up Florida A&M in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Things get a little tougher for KKR in the quarters.
Don Kreitz Jr. (12) vs. Bob Weikert (5): Fans in central Pennsylvania probably wanted to see this match-up later in the tournament, but that didn’t happen. Weikert, just like he did in the mid-80s with Doug Wolfgang laid a whipping down by earning 80.68 percent of the vote. Weikert on his victory, “Just wait until you see what we do in the next round.”
Tony Stewart Racing (2) vs. Joe Harz (18): Not even the beloved Joe Harz could handle the onslaught of Tony Stewart Racing, the No. 2 car owner on our list. TSR ripped off 84.09 percent of the vote to Harz’s 15.91 percent and prepped for a very emotional quarterfinal match-up coming up.
Sammy Swindell (10) vs. Danny Schatz (7): This was the most entertaining battle of the Round of 16, and it came down to the wire. Schatz was the higher seed in this match-up, but he beat Swindell by a mere two votes to get 51.14 percent of the vote. It’s going to get even harder for Schatz in the quarterfinals.
Steve Kinser (3) vs. Bobby Allen (19): The Cinderella run of Bobby Allen has come to an end at the hands of Steve Kinser. That’s pretty much the way it went on the track in the 1980s and 1990s, as Kinser managed 72.73 percent fan approval to Allen’s 27.27 percent. Don’t worry, Allen is busy watching Logan Schuchart lead the current World of Outlaws standings.
John and Pee Wee Zemaitis (22) vs. Al Hamilton (6): Like Weikert, Hamilton continued rolling along and carrying the central Pennsylvania banner in this tournament. He acquired 90.91 percent of the vote to Zemaitis’ 9.09 percent. Hamilton’s reward is facing Steve Kinser in the quarterfinals.