2000 Kenny Irwin BellSouth #42 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

[Billy Kingsley]

Here is Kenny Irwin's final ride. He had signed with Felix Sabates for the 2000 season before tragically loosing his life at New Hampshire.

The blue I used is, perhaps, a little too dark, and I lowered the suspension so much it no longer fits in the wheelwells!

[RedChevy14]

I absolutely love that model. Kenny was one of my favorites (I know being a Stewart fan with their rivalry in USAC and then in '99 at Martinsville, its a little blasphemous but still), I bought Racing Champions' 1/64 Bellsouth car and Wally Dallenbach's Powerpuff Girls car on a return trip from Atlanta the day before Kenny got killed, which still bothers me a bit. Maybe I imagined this but I think I remembered reading something like you never sell your models, but if I had a thousand dollars you could name your price for that one. Beautiful.

[Billy Kingsley]

Thanks for the comments. That's the most I've ever even been psudo-offered for anything I've built.

I will never forget when I learned of Kenny's death. I was on vacation in Lake George NY, and as we always did, we had RPM 2 Nite on. I knew there was bad news by the look on John Kernan's face, and also the fact that there was NO music at all at the start of the show. I don't think I'll ever forget that, or when I learned about the loss of Adam Petty. I was laying on the floor in my living room watching tv (I prefer the floor, then and now) and my brother had just gotten home from work, and we were talking to him, when the news scrolled across the bottom of ESPN 2.

[Bandit33]

That is some nice work you did there Billy. My models don't turn out near as good. Have you ever thought about sanding the tires to make them look like they were driven on the track?

[selby92]

Looks good. I always did like that car, and I remember Kenny had the same birthday as me, August 5th.

[Billy Kingsley]

Bandit, I do that some times but not too often-doing just one tire will make my hands hurt for days, so I don't do it too often. A high detail car will get it done, though.

You can also simulate it by flat-clearing the tires, too.

[Bandit33]

I know what you mean about the hands hurting after sanding the tires Billy. I started doing it after seeing it on a model building show on PBS back in the 90's. If I ever clear off my desk, I'll get back to building models again (I think I have about 2 or 3 waiting to be built).

[Allison28]

An artist is his worst critic. So, don't be so hard on yourself. The blue paint does not look bad at all. That car is Awesome looking. I would not have a problem having you do any custom for me.

Very Nice job on the Kenny Irwin. I miss him as well. & Thanks for sharing some good pics of your work.

[REUTIMANN_00]

Awsome looking car Billy it looks great