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Kenny Irwin, Jr.

Kenny Irwin Jr.
Kenny Irwin Jr.jpg
Irwin in 1998
Born Kenneth Dale Irwin Jr.
(1969-08-05)August 5, 1969
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Died July 7, 2000(2000-07-07) (aged 30)
Loudon, New Hampshire, U.S.
Cause of death Autoracing accident
Achievements 1996 USAC National Midget Champion
Awards 1998 Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year
1997 Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career
87 races run over 4 years
Best finish 19th (1999)
First race 1997 Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 (Richmond)
Last race 2000 Pepsi 400 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 12 3
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
14 races run over 2 years
Best finish 50th (2000)
First race 1999 Coca-Cola 300 (Texas)
Last race 2000 Carquest Auto Parts 300 (Charlotte)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 4 0
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career
32 races run over 3 years
Best finish 10th (1997)
First race 1996 Chevy Desert Star Classic (Phoenix)
Last race 1998 GM Goodwrench Service Plus / AC Delco 300 (Phoenix)
First win 1997 Florida Dodge Dealers 400K (Homestead)
Last win 1997 Pronto Auto Parts 400K (Texas)
Wins Top tens Poles
2 11 1

Kenneth Dale "Kenny" Irwin Jr. (August 5, 1969 – July 7, 2000) was an American racing driver. He had driven in all three NASCAR national touring series, and had two total victories, both in the Craftsman Truck Series. Before that, he raced in the United States Auto Club against Tony Stewart, who was one of his fiercest rivals. He died as a result of injuries suffered in a crash during a practice session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Irwin grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was the third 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.

Irwin 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 major-league NASCAR career in the Craftsman Truck Series. He made his debut in that series in 1996 at Phoenix International Raceway, driving the No. 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 No. 62 Raybestos Ford for Liberty Racing, finishing fifth in the event.


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