Kenny Irwin Remembered For His Character and SPEED.

I just read a tribute from a Kenny Irwin fan. I hadn't heard his name in so long I was struck to hear that someone else loved Kenny more because he was a great guy than because he was good.  

We were at the Darlington race the week before he died. We were given the full infield treatment by Bell South. We had breakfast with him, talked to him, had our pictures taken with him. We have all kinds of autographed memorabilia from that day. I was so taken with this man! Young, kind, smart, humble, as excited to be there as I was!

My mother in-law spent most of the day sitting with a woman who I believe was his manager (us smokers like to meet and talk). She could have been his mother by the way she spoke of him. They talked for over an hour about what an amazing kid he was.

I left the track that day with a new driver! My love for NASCAR renewed, I was ready to follow Kenny all the way to greatness. That was what the media was predicting and I had no doubt!

The following weekend, maybe two weeks later, My sister in-law, tearfully called to tell me about  his accident. (Believe it or not all of this crying is extremely out of character for all involved.  It was a surreal experience.) The news took my breath away, I had to pull over. My family was smitten with the amazing man we had met at Darlington. He was greatly respected by everyone involved with the Bell South Team.  Kenny's death  struck me with the empathy of a mother, I felt like someone some one very close to me had lost a son.  I kept thinking about this woman who sat with my Mother in-law and how that team must be feeling.

I'm touched that his character is what is spurring this stream of letters. That is what I remember most. I hope his mother reads this and is filled with pride. Those of you who think this is all hokey and un-NASCAR like—you must never have had the honor of meeting him.

Kenny Irwin deserves to be honored based on his performance. He was fast and fearless, truly entertaining!

And to the Author of the article I read that inspired this article (Ginger)—Thank you for taking the time to remind us.