NASCAR Cup

NASCAR reacts to Irwin's passing

LOUDON, N.H. (July 7, 2000) A few quotes and comments from the garage and beyond concerning the passing of Kenny Irwin. "We are deeply saddened at today's passing of Kenny Irwin. On behalf of all of us at NASCAR and the entire NASCAR community, our ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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LOUDON, N.H. (July 7, 2000) A few quotes and comments from the garage and beyond concerning the passing of Kenny Irwin. "We are deeply saddened at today's passing of Kenny Irwin. On behalf of all of us at NASCAR and the entire NASCAR community, our deepest sympathies, all our thoughts and prayers are with Kenny's family, friends and everyone at Team SABCO. Kenny was a fine competitor and will be missed very much by the entire NASCAR community."
-- NASCAR president Bill France

"On behalf of everyone at Team SABCO, we want to express our sincere sympathy to Kenny Irwin's mother, father, sisters and relatives. Kenny was a great teammate and wonderful friend, and we will miss him terribly. Because out hearts will be elsewhere this weekend, Team SABCO and Bell South have opted to withdraw the No. 42 Chevrolet from all racing activities at the New Hampshire International Speedway."
--Team SABACO

"The BellSouth family is saddened by the sudden death of BellSouth NASCAR driver Kenny Irwin earlier today. Kenny was an excellent representative for BellSouth and was very popular with our employees and customers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kenny's family and his teammates. Out of respect to Kenny's memory, the BellSouth Racing Team has withdrawn from competition this weekend."
--BellSouth

"The Petty family would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Irwin family. Our thoughts and prayers are, and will continue to be, with the Irwin family and the employees of Team SABCO during this very difficult time."
-- Richard Petty

"We extend our utmost sympathy to the family of Kenny Irwin during this time of grief. This is a time of great sadness for us and everyone in racing."
-- Bob & Gary Bahre, NHIS track owners

"It was a real loss today for this sport. Any time you have a tragedy like that it takes a lot out of your day. Kenny was a good, hard racer. We just hope and pray for him and his family that he's in a better place than we all are right now."
-- Jeff Gordon

"You don't understand why stuff like that happened. It's a tough deal. I can't explain it. You just hate to see stuff like that happen."
-- Dale Earnhardt

"I want to say our thoughts and prayers are with the Irwin family. We're going to miss Kenny."
-- Dale Earnhardt Jr.

"I think reality is starting to settle in for all of us. I know the whole garage is sick to their stomach right now about what has happened. The only positive thing that can come of this maybe is that he's in a better place. It sure isn't good for the people that are left behind and heartbroken."
-- Mark Martin

"I think everybody is still in shock. I don't think they know how to react right now. We haven't really had to deal with a situation like this. It's been many years."
-- Ricky Rudd

"We're gonna miss Kenny an awful lot. I just hate it for his family and everybody. Our prayers and thoughts are with him. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family because we're gonna miss Kenny so much."
-- Brett Bodine

"I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Irwin at Talladega two years ago. He was really pleasant and one of the few drivers that had time to sign and speak with you. The Winston Cup circuit will really miss a guy like this. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and race team."
-- Stephen Moseley, a fan from Montgomery, Ala.

"When something as tragic as this happens it doesn't matter who your 'favorite' driver is. The world has lost a great competitor and an outstanding person."
-- Scott Strohm, a fan from Bellefonte, Pa.

"I was at Watkins Glen about 2 or 3 years ago for a race. After practice one day Kenny comes over to the fence to talk to the fans, sign some autographs, and just talk. I love getting autographs, but had nothing to get signed. Well, I'm still holding my Watkins Glen plastic cup. I say, 'Kenny, can you sign this?' His reply, 'Holy man, is it full!?' I said, 'No,' and tossed it over the fence. Kenny tries to toss it back, carefully, like 2 or 3 times. Each time the cup falls to the ground and has to bend down to pick it up. Finally, he sends it about 15 feet in the air. One of the onlookers, not paying attention, gets popped in the head. We all get a chuckle over it, and Kenny calls him over, signs an item for him too. NASCAR lost a good guy today!"
-- John Griffin, a fan from Elkland, Pa.

-nascar.com-

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