Eight years ago today, NASCAR lost a friend and one of their all around "Nice Guys" when 30-year-old driver Kenny Irwin, Jr. lost his life in a practice crash at New Hampshire International Raceway.
Irwin's No. 42 Bell South Chevrolet hit the outside wall head on, then barrel rolled down turn three, then finally came to a stop when his car caught fire in turn four.
Crew Members believe that Irwin's death was instantaneous and painless. The believe still to this day is that Irwin's throttle stuck in his Chevrolet and this led NASCAR to run a restrictor plate race at NHIS. Then NASCAR got the better idea of inventing the kill switch, which, by touching it, would shut the car off if the driver felt the need.
Kenny Irwin was from Indianapolis, Indiana and he was the third of four children. He began racing in secondnd grade and immediatelyfell in love with it. He then ran USAC in 1991. He had seven wins in 1993 and won the USAC Silver Crown Series Rookie of The Year award. He then won the 1996 USAC Midget Series Championship.
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Everyone thought this guy was going to be the next Jeff Gordon—unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
At the end of 1996, Irwin decided to take his talents to NASCAR. He ran five truck races in 1996 and ran the entire 1997 campaign in the Truck Series. That year, Irwin won two truck Series races for Owner Jim Herrick and he finished 10th in the points.
In that same year, Irwin's Cup career began when he ran four races in the No. 27 for David Blair.
In Irwin's first cup race at Richmond, he finished eighth. This race caught the eye of owner Robert Yates, who was looking for a driver to replace Ernie Irvan. Irwin was named driver of the No. 28 Havoline/Texaco Ford for the 1998 season.
He struggled in his first year of cup, finishing a low 28th in points and failing to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600, one of NASCAR's biggest races, which did not go over big with the sponsor. He did win the 1998 NASCAR Rookie of The Year.
Yates still believed in Irwin and he raced all 34 races in the No. 28 in 1999 and finished a respectful 19th in points. However, Yates did not re-sign Irwin for 2000, and Irwin moved to the No. 42 Bell South Chevrolet for Felix Sabates.
In 17 races in 2000, Irwin had one top-10. His last race was the 2000 Pepsi 400, where he finished 22nd. He would lose his life later that week.
One writer put it perfect: Irwin's life was cut short before he could reach his full potential. That is totally true. Irwin was still trying to find his place in the sport, and showed to everyone that he could cut it with the big guys, but his life was too short.
Kenny Irwin, Jr. will always be remembered in NASCAR fans' hearts because of his famous quote I remember hearing. He knew racing was dangerous and he said to his wife, "If I die in a Racecar, I'll die doing something I loved doing the most!" I will always remember that quote and will always remember Kenny Irwin.
R.I.P. Kenny Irwin. August 5, 1969-July 7, 2000
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