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"Our NASCAR collection began in 1992 with the Pepsi Richard Petty Fan Appreciation Tour Longneck bottles. Over the years, our collection has grown to include die-cast cars of all scales, driver handout cards, trading cards, cereal boxes, ice cream containers, Coca-Cola bottles, posters, crew uniforms, driver stand-ups and sheet metal. The collection takes up most of our den.
"While Jeff Gordon still is my favorite driver, I also began following Kenny Irwin in 1997 when he drove the No. 98 Raybestos F-150 in the truck series. He impressed me with the way he always gave credit to his crew and to others for his success. The first item in my Kenny collection was a 1:64 scale Racing Champions version of that truck. I became a serious Kenny Irwin collector after my son and I saw Kenny at Food City Family Race Night in Kingsport, Tenn., prior to the 2000 Food City 500. Kenny was so nice to my son, who was four years old at the time. We will never forget Kenny or his smile, and the friendly attitude he displayed toward us at race night.
"My collection now contains over 150 trading cards of Kenny and 15 of his driver handout cards from open wheels, the truck series, the Busch series and Winston Cup. I have two different stand-ups of Kenny, several t-shirts and hats, and around 35 die-cast cars. My favorite items are the sheet metal pieces I have acquired, Coca-Cola products featuring Kenny, and items associated with the Joker paint scheme that Kenny ran for one time at Charlotte in 1998.
"My sheet metal collection includes a hood from one of the Bellsouth Mobility cars that Kenny ran in the Busch series in 2000. It takes up most of our stairwell. I have the entire passenger side of the Tonka car that Kenny ran in Martinsville in 1997. I also have a rear quarter panel from one of the Havoline cars that Kenny drove in the 1999 season.
"Both Kenny and Dale Jarrett autographed a small piece of Rayovac sheet metal that I have. DJ owned the car and Kenny drove it some in the Busch series in 1999. I also have a door piece off the 28 car that Kenny drove in 1998.
"Earlier this year I purchased a Havoline pit crew "Saturday shirt" that had belonged to Raymond Fox. That shirt was a great addition to my collection because Raymond Fox served as Kenny's crew chief toward the end of the 1999 season. Other shirts in my collection include a Team Sabco Bellsouth Racing shop shirt and t-shirts featuring the No. 27 Nerf and GI Joe paint schemes that Kenny drove in Winston Cup in 1997.
"The best addition to my collection has been one of Kenny's Havoline driver suits from the 1998 season, when he won rookie of the year.
"Because Kenny was a member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, Coca-Cola issued several commemorative items featuring Kenny. The Coca-Cola items in my collection include a stand-up of Kenny, a handout card from 1999, a regular Coke bottle, gold Coke bottle, crystal Coke bottle, miniature Coke bottle from McDonald's, and a plush polar bear wearing a Kenny Irwin shirt.
"Finding Kenny Irwin items for my collection has helped me deal with the sadness of Kenny's death. While he only raced in the Winston Cup series for a short time, he provided lasting memories for his fans. I will never forget Kenny qualifying on the outside pole and finishing in the top 10 in his first Winston Cup race; winning the ARCA race at Daytona in 1998; spinning Tony Stewart at Martinsville in 1999; and continuing to smile when people doubted his ability.
"My thoughts are with the Irwin family. I hope to visit the Memorial Campground that Kenny's parents have established in New Castle, Indiana soon. Thank you for allowing me to share my collection."
- Ginger Largen
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