Memory (A Kenny Irwin Jr. Tribute)

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October 20, 2009

Kenny grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and was the 3rd youngest of four children. He began racing quarter-midgets before he was in the second grade. He graduated from Lawrence North High School in 1988 where he played varsity soccer, while continuing his career as a driver. Between 1988 and 1991, he raced for his father in the IMSA American Challenge stock car series, all while he was still a teenager.

Kenny then went on to race in USAC. He began open wheel racing in 1991. He had 7 career USAC Sprint Car Series wins, and was the series Rookie of the Year in 1993. In 1994 he was the USAC Silver Crown Series Rookie of the Year and finished second in the 1995 USAC standings. In 1996 he was the USAC National Midget Series champ. After his successful run in USAC, many open-wheel enthusiasts began comparing him to NASCAR's Jeff Gordon.

Irwin began his NASCAR career in the Craftsman Truck Series. He made his debut in that series in 1996 at Phoenix International Raceway, driving the #26 Ford F-150 for MB Motorsports. He started and finished 32nd after an engine failure. In his second start at Richmond International Raceway, he won the pole in the #62 Raybestos Ford and finished fifth.

He moved up to drive full-time in 1997, driving the #98 Ford for Liberty Racing. He had 2 wins, 7 Top 5, and 10 Top 10 finishes that season, on his way to a 10th place finish in the final point standings. He also won Rookie of the Year honors that season. Irwin also made his debut in the Winston Cup Series in 1997 with David Blair Motorsports at Richmond. He qualified on the outside pole and led for twelve laps, finishing in eighth place. He ran three more races with Blair that season, qualifying no worse than eleventh.

He won the 1998 Rookie of the Year award in the Cup Series driving the Robert Yates Racing #28 Texaco car, replacing Ernie Irvan. Irwin started the 1998 season by winning the Automobile Racing Club of America race in Daytona in February in a car owned by Yates. During that season, he had one pole, 1 Top 5, and 4 Top 10 finishes on his way to a 28th place finish in the final points standings. In 1999 he had 2 poles, 2 Top 5 and 6 Top 10 finishes and finished 19th place finish in the final points standings.

Irwin made his Busch Series debut in 1999 driving the #11 Rayovac Ford Taurus owned by his teammate, Dale Jarrett, and NFL quarterback Brett Favre. He had two fifth-place finishes in five starts, at Texas Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway, respectively.

He is also known for one incident where he bumped into USAC rival Tony Stewart's car into the wall in the Goody's 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Stewart exited his wrecked car and tried to enter Irwin's car as it was driving under the caution flag in a show of displeasure.

In 2000, he moved to Team SABCO to drive the #42 BellSouth car. He had a single Top 10 finish, 4th at Talladega Superspeedway, in his first 17 races. He made nine starts in the Busch Series for SABCO as well, finishing ninth at Talladega.

During practice for the New England 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, he slammed head on into the wall, causing his car to flip onto its side. According to fellow driver Brett Bodine speaking to CNN, the car slid along its side for a long time before rolling on its roof. Irwin likely died instantly of a basal skull fracture. Fellow Indiana native (and rival) Tony Stewart would win the race that Sunday, and donate the trophy to Irwin's parents. [1]

Irwin's parents operate the Dare to Dream Children's Camp in New Castle, IN in Kenny's honor.

I do NOT claim any of the footage, photos, or song used in this video as my own.

Category: Autos & Vehicles

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ZBC Lost Racing Legends Kenny Irwin Jr.

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confusedsay (1 week ago) Show Hide

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Kenny is not forgotten....

kylekage13 (3 weeks ago) Show Hide

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Kenny Irwin would've been a great driver

baseballchad79 (1 month ago) Show Hide

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One of my favorite all time USAC drivers. I remember watching him win at Salem speedway when I was a kid...he would have been a very good cup driver, but man he could flat fly in an open wheel....long live Kenny Irwin Jr.

Nemechek8 (1 month ago) Show Hide

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2000-2001 was an awful time period for auto racing. First Adam Petty died, then Kenny, Tony Roper, Dale Earnhardt, And Blaise Alexander. R.I.P. to all of them.

Hannuff (1 month ago) Show Hide

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He definitely died too soon.
A very good and respectfull tribute, like always.

RacingDmp (1 month ago) Show Hide

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R.I.P Kenny...Great Job on this video.. 5 stars and a Sub. I very much enjoyed it! Thanks for the upload.

TheBoxOfBags (1 month ago) Show Hide

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I miss Kenny. I only just started watching when Kenny, Adam, and Dale all died. I know all three would be happy with the videos you guys have made over the years.

NasNYG567 (1 month ago) Show Hide

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R.I.P Kenny

bradk12fan (1 month ago) Show Hide

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R.I.P. Kenny, We Miss You!!!!

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Memory (A Kenny Irwin Jr. Tribute)

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