NASCAR WCUP: Stewart to honor Kenny Irwin memory at New Hampshire
17 September 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
HOME DEPOT PONTIAC DRIVER TO WEAR REPLICA HELMET
LOUDON, NH - Tony Stewart will honor the memory of fallen friend Kenny Irwin by wearing a replica of Irwin's 2000 Winston Cup helmet during the running Sunday of the Dura Lube 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway.
"I gave this a great deal of thought before I went to Kenny's family with the idea," said Stewart. "It is very important to me to preserve Kenny's memory with dignity. I want the helmet to demonstrate the value of his life and to further enhance his legacy. I felt New Hampshire was the proper track to wear a replica of his last Winston Cup helmet.
"The Irwin family is in the process of establishing the Kenny Irwin Foundation," Stewart continued. "Following Sunday's race, we will place the helmet in safe keeping until the family has finalized the details of the Foundation. When the date for the first fund raising event is announced, we will place the helmet with the family to be auctioned. It is our hope it will help get the Foundation off to a solid start and allow the Irwin family the ability to donate substantial funds to the charities of their choice.
"We have received 100% support for my wearing the helmet from Home Depot, Joe Gibbs Racing, Simpson and all the associate sponsors involved in our program, as well as the staff of Team SABCO and Kenny's sponsor, BellSouth. I want to thank everyone for understanding the importance of this and working to see we were able to accomplish our goal."
Text Provided By Judy Kouba Dominick
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