So what’s it like, sitting at the kitchen table and listening as one of the most iconic and intimidating characters the motorsports world has ever known tells his story?
It’s fun. That’s what it is.
In late August we released our newest book project, KINSER, in which we teamed with racing legend Steve Kinser on his autobiography. Our friendship with Steve dates back many years, and our project spanned almost exactly two years of work. Work isn’t exactly the right word; there was lots of enjoyment mixed in. But every book is an overwhelming task, and KINSER represents a great amount of labor.
There is pressure, too. You don’t want to be remembered as the guy who messed up somebody’s book, particularly with someone as iconic as Steve.
The early feedback on the book has been completely positive, so that is a relief. People are excited and they continue to pay us the ultimate compliment: “I can hear Steve’s voice when I read the book!” That is exactly our goal when we team up with someone to help tell their story.
Steve and I first talked about writing a book together almost 25 years ago. At that time he promised me, “I’ll write a book someday and I’ll write it with you.” Steve was true to his word and in August 2023 we met for the first time to officially begin the project.
I pulled up in his driveway and dragged my gear into his house. Laptop, digital recorder, microphone, cords, notes, and a pad of paper. Steve looked at all that gear and said, “Just spread that stuff out on the kitchen table. You’ll have room there.”
So this was a kitchen table book, from start to finish.
We could have approached this book in a couple of different ways. Obviously, Steve’s career could justify a 1,200-page, two-volume beast of a book. Forty-plus years of racing at the highest level, almost 1,000 race wins, dominating all along the way; that’s a ton of content.
But we chose a different path. It felt more natural to just let Steve tell his story in his own words, which are typically few. No long-winded stories, no embellishing, just his own words. When we were finished, the text felt just right…long enough to tell the story, but not so long to be an intimidating read. I believe that’s what readers are looking for.
One element I’m especially proud of is the Appendix, which contains a chronological listing of every one of Steve’s race wins. Assembling this list was a daunting task, done with the input of a dozen researchers throughout the U.S. and Australia. When you look through that listing of race wins, page after page, it really brings into focus the monumental impact this man had on sprint car racing.
Someday in the not-so-distant future, an 18-year-old racer is going to say, “Who is Steve Kinser?” It is crucial that the history of the sport be documented, so that every young racer has the opportunity to know and understand the people who came before them.
Luckily, a great many people are not only interested in racing history, they are enthusiastic. That’s partly why projects like Steve’s book are so fun. Despite all the work, you know there are a bunch of people at the other end waiting to get their hands on a copy. That is the ultimate reward for all that effort.
Steve and I have both said this, and it’s not a cliché: We hope you enjoy reading his book as much as we enjoyed writing it. Just two old friends sitting at the kitchen table, remembering a lot of good times and good people.
I’m grateful that people continue to support our writing and publishing efforts. I don’t take that for granted, and I never will.
Thank you!
- administrator on Oct 17, 2025
- Article Date: 10/17/2025 by The Story with Dave Argabright