Andy Kirby
Encyclopedia
Andy Kirby is a former stockcar driver
, most notably in NASCAR
. Kirby did not initially begin with NASCAR, where his career would end. Instead, Kirby quickly earned his reputation as a motorcycle racer in the Southeastern United States
. Kirby would eventually become best friends with NASCAR Busch Series
driver Chad Chaffin
, and Chaffin helped open some doors for Kirby.
. He qualified in the 38th position, completed 157 laps, and then wrecked. He finished 31st. The next race, Las Vegas
, looked better for Kirby, as he qualified in 5th place for his second career start. However, the good feeling did not last long. He wrecked and finished 42nd. He was 33rd at his home track Nashville, 36th at Loudon
and 26th at Dover Downs
. His best finish came at Bristol
. After starting 34th, Andy came home in 20th. However, due to his recklessness and lack of funding, the Lockamy team released Kirby.
However, Williams Travel was still intrigued by Kirby, and they got him a five-race deal in 2000 with the #39 Williams Chevy. He beat his Bristol finish with a 19th at Talladega
. However, the rest of the season was not the best. 28th (at IRP), 33rd (at Bristol), 38th (at Memphis) and one DNQ (Did Not Qualify) made the rest of the season a disappointment.
In 2001, Andy mainly stayed at home but he had a number of offers during the season and got some seat time. He drove two races for Jay Robinson Racing
. He once again got a career best of 16th at Talladega and finished 33rd at Darlington. He ran three races for Moy Racing
. He drove the #77 Ford to a 30th at Michigan International Speedway
, 41st at Kansas
, and 32nd at Homestead-Miami
. He ran one race in the #52 Means Racing
Ford. He finished 41st at Memphis.
Kirby ran well enough in 2001 to be asked back to those teams in 2002. He ran the first five races for Moy, finished 28th at Las Vegas as the best among those five. Jay Robinson asked him to come for 4 races. Andy received his best career finish at Talladega once again. After avoiding a big wreck, Andy was able to come home in 6th position, his first and only top-10. In the other three races, he finished 23rd, 29th and 32nd. Kirby ran two races for Fred Bickford
. He finished 39th and 41st in those races. Kirby's final start came at Kentucky Speedway
, where he finished 23rd.
. However, he was killed in a motorcycle accident in his home town White House, Tennessee
, on July 18, 2002. Many teams ran decals on their cars honoring Andy following his death.
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
, most notably in NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
. Kirby did not initially begin with NASCAR, where his career would end. Instead, Kirby quickly earned his reputation as a motorcycle racer in the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
. Kirby would eventually become best friends with NASCAR Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
driver Chad Chaffin
Chad Chaffin
Chad Chaffin is a NASCAR driver. He has raced in all three of NASCAR's major series and is currently a free agent. Chaffin was a two-time track champion at the historic Nashville Speedway USA, where he met his friend the late Andy Kirby.-Sprint Cup:Chad made his Sprint Cup debut in 2004 at...
, and Chaffin helped open some doors for Kirby.
Rise to National Fame
Kirby turned heads by winning three track championships (1994, 1996, and 1997) at the highly competitive Nashville Speedway USA. He raced weekly against Chaffin (the 1993 and 1995 champion).Busch career
Owner Larry Lockamy offered Kirby a ride in his #28 Williams Travel Centers Chevy for some 1999 events. Kirby made his debut in February at RockinghamNorth Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
. He qualified in the 38th position, completed 157 laps, and then wrecked. He finished 31st. The next race, Las Vegas
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
, looked better for Kirby, as he qualified in 5th place for his second career start. However, the good feeling did not last long. He wrecked and finished 42nd. He was 33rd at his home track Nashville, 36th at Loudon
New Hampshire International Speedway
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a oval speedway located in Loudon, New Hampshire which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since the early 1990s, as well as an IndyCar weekend and the oldest motorcycle race in North America, the Loudon Classic...
and 26th at Dover Downs
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
. His best finish came at Bristol
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
. After starting 34th, Andy came home in 20th. However, due to his recklessness and lack of funding, the Lockamy team released Kirby.
However, Williams Travel was still intrigued by Kirby, and they got him a five-race deal in 2000 with the #39 Williams Chevy. He beat his Bristol finish with a 19th at Talladega
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
. However, the rest of the season was not the best. 28th (at IRP), 33rd (at Bristol), 38th (at Memphis) and one DNQ (Did Not Qualify) made the rest of the season a disappointment.
In 2001, Andy mainly stayed at home but he had a number of offers during the season and got some seat time. He drove two races for Jay Robinson Racing
Jay Robinson Racing
Jay Robinson Racing is a racing team that competes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Currently, they field the #28 MAXelence Chevrolet Impala for Derrike Cope. Formed in 1995, they moved to the Nationwide Series in 2000, where they have attempted both full-time and part-time schedules.- Car #28...
. He once again got a career best of 16th at Talladega and finished 33rd at Darlington. He ran three races for Moy Racing
Moy Racing
Moy Racing was an auto racing team owned by former Ford Motor Company employee Joseph Reilly which fielded entries in the NASCAR Busch Series. Drivers who piloted the Moy Racing Ford included Jimmy Kitchens, Andy Kirby, Carl Long , Bruce Bechtel, Dana White, Brad Teague, Ed Berrier, Donnie...
. He drove the #77 Ford to a 30th at Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
, 41st at Kansas
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is a tri-oval race track in Kansas City, Kansas. The speedway was built in 2001 and currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends. The IndyCar Series also raced at the speedway until 2011...
, and 32nd at Homestead-Miami
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead, Florida southwest of Miami.Since 2002 Homestead has hosted the final races of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series...
. He ran one race in the #52 Means Racing
Means Racing
Means Racing is a NASCAR Nationwide Series team. It is owned by former driver Jimmy Means. The team primarily runs without sponsorship, and fields the #52 Chevrolet Impala.-Busch/Nationwide Series:...
Ford. He finished 41st at Memphis.
Memphis Motorsports Park
Memphis International Raceway is an auto racing park located across the Loosahatchie River from Memphis, Tennessee, approximately ten miles south of Millington, Tennessee. The facility opened in 1987 with a drag strip and 1.8-mile road course...
Kirby ran well enough in 2001 to be asked back to those teams in 2002. He ran the first five races for Moy, finished 28th at Las Vegas as the best among those five. Jay Robinson asked him to come for 4 races. Andy received his best career finish at Talladega once again. After avoiding a big wreck, Andy was able to come home in 6th position, his first and only top-10. In the other three races, he finished 23rd, 29th and 32nd. Kirby ran two races for Fred Bickford
Fred Bickford
Fred Bickford is a former NASCAR Busch Series team owner.Growing up at the drag races with his father who was a 1970s Funny Car driver, Fred was introduced to racing at a young age. After a short driving career, Fred became an owner and crew chief. Fred owned the Number 94 and was also a partner...
. He finished 39th and 41st in those races. Kirby's final start came at Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway is a tri-oval speedway in Sparta, Kentucky, which has hosted ARCA, NASCAR and Indy Racing League racing annually since it opened in 2000. The track is currently owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Jerry Carroll, who, along with four other investors, owned...
, where he finished 23rd.
Death
Kirby was getting ready to make a start at Pikes PeakPikes Peak International Raceway
Pikes Peak International Raceway, also known as PPIR, is a participant focused racetrack located in Fountain, Colorado, south of Colorado Springs and north of Pueblo...
. However, he was killed in a motorcycle accident in his home town White House, Tennessee
White House, Tennessee
White House is a city in Robertson and Sumner counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee. The population was 7,220 at the 2000 census. According to the city website a special census was conducted in 2008 that placed the city population at 9,891 residents, with 3,587 households within the city limits...
, on July 18, 2002. Many teams ran decals on their cars honoring Andy following his death.