NascarNUTs Kenny Irwin Tribute

Almost 31 years ago, on August 5, 1969 in Indianapolis Indiana, a young man by the name of Kenny Irwin Jr was born into this world. Little did his family and friends know the impact he would have on such a large group of people. Friends of the Irwin family state that Kenny knew as early as the age of 6 that he wanted to be a racing champion. His mother and father decided to help him achieve his dream in the most affordable manner available. This led them to the USAC Sprints. In 1993, Kenny was named the series Rookie of the Year. The following year the young Irwin moved up the Silver Crown series picking up 6 victories and another ROTY award. During a 5 year span with the USAC midgets, Kenny racked up an impressive 8 wins, 20 runner-up finishes, 59 top 5's, and 87 top 10's all in an amazing 123 starts. The Kenny Irwin saga was beginning to look very promising. In 1996 Kenny made his first start in the big time world of NASCAR by entering his first Craftsman Truck Series event and joined the series full time in 1997 winning twice that year and gaining yet another ROTY award. 1997 was also the year that the Winston Cup series came calling and Irwin answered by making his debut at Richmond, qualifying on the outside of the front row and finishing an impressive 8th, becoming the first driver to qualify on the front row and finish in the top 10 in his debut race. The young Indiana native moved to the Winston Cup series full time in 1998 and was given the prestigious honor of driving the #28 Havoline Ford owned by Robert Yates. In his first full season, Kenny posted 1 top 5, 4 top 10's, and gained his first career pole at the season ending event at Atlanta. And yes, you guessed it, he was awarded the series Rookie of the Year award. Although impressive, Kenny and Yates parted ways at the end of the 1999 season and he signed with the Sabco team and owner Felix Sabates. Last Friday, July 7th, Kenny made the trip to New Hampshire International Speedway and climbed aboard the Bell South Chevy, just as he had done week after week since February at Daytona. Only unbeknownst to himself as well as family, friends, team members, and fans everywhere, this would be Kenny's last ride. For on this fate filled morning exactly 8 weeks to the day after the racing world lost one of it's brightest young stars, Irwin's career and life came to a tragic end. We all ask ourselves how this could happen twice in such a short time span. We question the horror of someone so young and talented being taken away so suddenly. But it is not for us to ask why. Felix Sabates stated shortly after hearing the news of Irwin's untimely demise, "As we prepare for life with faith in God, we shall be prepared for death when it arrives. We have surely lost a great young man today." The news of Irwin's passing deeply rooted itself in the hearts of his competitors. "We feel it." says Jimmy Spencer. " I know alot of you think we don't, but every driver here, every person in this garage area feels like the best we can do is load up and go home. But we know we can't do that." When asked if he could describe the loss, Dale Jarrett stated "No, I can't even start. It makes everything else not seem to matter much. It's just unfortunate. I'm glad to say I knew him as a teammate but more than anything else he was a friend. We have all lost a great friend." Tony Stewart, one of Irwin's teammates during their USAC years, remembers Kenny as being "one of the toughest competitors I raced against. He's one of the reasons I'm here today. He pushed me to better myself each and every week." We can only ponder what the true meaning and reasons are for Kenny being taken from this world so suddenly But I believe, as do others, that he is in a better place now. Michael Waltrip remarked, "The Bible says 'When you are absent from the body, you are present with the Lord.' I know Kenny pretty well and I know he had faith. While it's a sad day for all of us, I believe it's the best day in Kenny's life." You know, I didn't know Kenny very well at all. However with that angelic smile and those innocent boyish eyes, I would have to agree with Michael. And I know in two weeks when the haulers pull into Pocono, the cars are unloaded, the tool chests put in their place, and the fans take their place in the grandstands, if we look hard enough, we just might see the sparkle in Kenny's smile in the morning dew, the gleam from his eye in the afternoon sun, and hear his laughter in the hustle and bustle in the garage. And from somewhere above, every driver will hear a soft voice say, "Go get em boys. I'm right here with you." God bless you Kenny. The NASCAR world, the drivers, owners, crews, family, friends, and fans everywhere will miss you very much.

In memory of Kenny Irwin Jr - 1969-2000

By Jason Elliott, Jason can be contacted at [email protected]