Sad summer for Nascar’s first family

from The Crossville Chronicle- Crossville, TN July 13, 2007

By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com

On June 4, 2007 long time Nascar leader Bill France Jr, lost his battle with cancer. The family was prepared as he had been under medical care for an extended time. The entire racing community mourned his loss, while the family showed their strength in dealing with the loss.
On Tuesday morning July 9, 2007 the France family was jolted by an unexpected loss. Dr. Bruce Kennedy perished in a Sanford , FL. plane crash, along with Michael Klemm a senior captain with Nascar aviation. Dr. Kennedy was the husband of Nascar Board Member and International Speedway Corporation President, Lesa France Kennedy.
The small plane had declared an emergency with smoke in the cabin and was attempting to land at the Sanford-Orlando airport when it crashed into a home in a large subdivision. The home was engulfed in flames as was a second home, both homes and the plane were completely destroyed by fire. In addition to the two occupants of the plane, three people from the homes, including 2 children perished. A 10 year old is listed in critical condition and undergoing treatment of burns to 80% of his body.
As the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series head to Chicago this weekend there will be some somber moments, but the racing must go on. Drivers to watch in Chicago are defending race winner Jeff Gordon, 2 time Chicago winner Kevin Harvick and a non winner at Chicago, but the driver with the best overall record at Chicago, Jimmie Johnson. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will be at Kentucky Speedway Saturday.
Local Racing Action
Crossville Raceway had a full card of racing last Saturday including double features in five classes as ’make up’ for the June 23 races postponed due to rain.
June 23 results: Limited Late Model- 1. Dale Nance, 2. Lynn Selby, 3. Jason Butler, 4. Duke Lowe, 5. Jim Bolen Open Wheel Mods- 1. Billy Palmer, 2. Jack Price, 3. Jimmy Dalton, 4. Shane Stockton, 5. Thomas Lay Street Stock- 1. Brian Selby, 2. Ricky Scruggs, 3. Rusty Mellette, 4. Mike Tabors, 5. William Starnes Front Wheel drive- 1. Jordon Butler, 2. J.D. Rector, 3. Cody Rector, 4. Raymond Manning, 5. Brandon Jenkins Cruiser cars- 1. Tony Duncan/Stacey Griffin
July 7 features, SLM- 1. Tim Damron, 2. Johnny Stout, 3. Brian Hendrix, 4. Brett Wyatt, 5. DeWayne Pesterfield LLM- 1. Dale Nance, 2. Sam Williams, 3. Joe Cline, 4. Lynn Selby, 5. Jason Butler Open Wheel Mods- 1. Wayne James, 2. Billy Palmer, 3. Jack Price, 4. Robert Potter, 5. Shane Stockton Mini Stock- 1. Herman Radke, 2. John Ross, 3. Joseph Howell, 4. PeeWee Howard, 5. Shalon Turner Street Stock- 1. Brian Selby, 2. Danny Clouse, 3. Chris Croinex, 4. Mike Tabors, 5. Rusty Mellette FWD- 1. Jonathan Norris, 2. Christa Moore, 3. Brandon Norris, 4. Jordon Butler, 5. Brandon Jenkins Cruisers- 1. Jessie Peters/ Josh Bryan
This weekends local racing;
Friday - Wartburg Speedway, full racing card begins at 7:30 pm (et)
Saturday- Crossville Raceway Full card (no SLM) and a special $400 to win Front Wheel Drive feature begins at 7:00 pm.
I-40 Dragway has a $2k Super Pro race plus Funny cars.
Attention NASCAR Fans
Tuesday July 17th NASCAR stars invade Crossville Raceway as Kenny (the Hermanator) Wallace and Ken Schrader will be on hand with their own dirt cars to compete against the local drivers.
The ‘Kennys’ will also be doing autograph and photo sessions with fans. As a special feature there will be a 2 seat race car where 4 fans will have the opportunity to ‘turn’ 5 laps with either Wallace or Schrader. Those rides will be auctioned off after qualifying with the proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The nights racing activities will include Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds and Street Stocks.
Gates open to the public at 5 pm, autograph session from 6:00-6:30 pm, qualifying begins at 7:00 pm
Crossville Raceway is located on US Highway 70 North; four miles west of Crossville, TN. Racers and fans can call the track phone for more information at (931) 456-5000.