VICTORY JUNCTION: https://victoryjunction.org/
KENNY IRWIN, JR. FOUNDATION: http://www.kennyirwinjrfoundation.org/
TONY ROPER SCHOLARSHIP FUND: c/o The Bank of Bolivar, P.O. Box 108, Fair Grove, MO 65648

Adam Petty. Kenny Irwin, Jr. Tony Roper.

In the lead-up to the 2000 NASCAR season, each was looking to take the next step in their career. No one knew all three would lose their lives in separate racing accidents just five months apart. They were three warnings of a serious safety issue within the sport that, unheeded, culminated with a tragedy even more unthinkable. This is that story.

UPDATE (December 2, 2019): Thank you to everyone who participated in our Three Before February Charity Auction! Because of you, we raised a combined $100 for Victory Junction, The Kenny Irwin, Jr. Foundation, and the Tony Roper Scholarship Fund!

UPDATE (July 7, 2020): Updated version uploaded on the 20th anniversary of Kenny Irwin, Jr.'s passing.

MUSIC
"Glory Be" - Patrick Patrikios

VIDEO
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VM38xifmyUmnXhJmYqWMlkC1L2CPjonecEkpMI7q_eY/edit?usp=sharing

ARTICLES
*Associated Press. "Adam Starts, but Kyle Finishes," ESPN.com, April 2, 2000
*Associated Press. “Irwin died ‘doing what he loved.’” ESPN.com Motor Sports, July 13, 2000.
*Brewington, Tammy. “Kenny Irwin: The Final Goodbye,” Middle Tennessee Racing News, August 10, 2000.
(Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20010708024511/http://www.racindeals.com/record.asp?ArticleID=69)
*Brinster, Dick. “Crash claims another driver,” Moscow-Pullman Daily News, July 8, 2000.
*Cooper, Adam. “HANS inventor Robert Hubbard dies,” Motorsport.com, February 6, 2019.
*Gee, Michael. “Tragic turn at NHIS: Loudon slammed by second fatal accident this year,” Boston Herald, July 8, 2000.
(Archved at https://web.archive.org/web/20010203125500/http://www.bostonherald.com/sport/golf_tennis_more/gee07082000.htm)
*Harris, Mike. “NASCAR still full speed on safety,” January 19, 2002.
*Hinton, Ed. “Just 8 weeks later, tragedy hits us again,” Orlando Sentinel, July 8, 2000.
*Hinton, Ed. "Stuck-Throttle Crash 'Scary' For Labonte," Chicago Tribune, September 2, 2000.
*Hinton, Ed. “NASCAR Idles While Drivers Die,” Orlando Sentinel, February 11, 2001.
*Jensen, Tom. “Earnhardt sounds off on Safety,” NASCAR Scene, September 14, 2000.
*Jensen, Tom. “Helmet design an issue, too,” NASCAR Scene, September 14, 2000.
*Kelly, Kevin. “Police upset with NASCAR for actions after Irwin’s crash,” St. Petersburg Times, July 30, 2000.
*Marusak, Joe and Ames Alexander. “’It was a horrible night.’ Fla. Bridge collapse revives memories of Charlotte tragedy,” The Charlotte Observer, March 15, 2018.
*Radebaugh, Don. “Remembering Roper, ARCA’s ‘Dean’ of the dirt,” August 11, 2016. https://www.arcaracing.com/articles/2002112-remembering-roper-arca-s-dean-of-the-dirt
*Sherman, Don. “The Physics Of: How the HANS Device Saves Lives,” Car and Driver, January 14, 2012. https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15121817/the-physics-of-how-the-hans-device-saves-lives-feature/
*Smith, Marty. “Dial it up, Irwin at contender at NHIS,” July 6, 2000.
(Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20000823005145/http://www.nascar.com/news/2000/0706/1001795.html)
*Scranton, Lyndal. “Ozarks racing legacy: Tony Roper’s memory lives on 15 years after fatal NASCAR crash,” Springfield News-Leader, September 30, 2015. https://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/2015/09/30/ozarks-racing-legacy-tony-ropers-memory-lives-years-fatal-nascar-crash/73086688/
*Unknown. “Black Sunday: Racing Legend Dale Earnhardt dies after Daytona 500 wreck,” The News-Journal, February 19, 2001.

OTHER SOURCES
*eBay
*FindAGrave.com
*Getty Images
*Google Images
*Jayski’s Silly Season Site
*Jayski’s 2000 Busch Series Site
(Archived at http://web.archive.org/web/20000815082528/http://www.jayski.com/bgn/bgnnews.htm)
*Jayski’s New England 300 Race Page
(Archived at http://web.archive.org/web/20000816124603/http://www.jayski.com/next/2000-nhis.htm)
*Motorsport.com
*NASCAR.com – Thatlook.com 300 Practice Results, Driver Profiles
(Archived at http://web.archive.org/web/20000823023819/http://www.nascar.com/winstoncup/races00/newhampshire300/fri_practice.html)
*Racer’s Reunion – “September 13, 1969 – Big Bill And The PDA Square Off,” Thread by @tmc-chase at http://racersreunion.com/community/forum/stock-car-racing-history/34222/september-13-1969-big-bill-and-the-pda-square-off
*Racing-Reference.info
*Scene Vault Podcast: Dave Marcis
*Sports Design Blog, “Remembering Kenny Irwin Jr.,” 2010.
(Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20100727172315/http://www.sportsdesignblog.com/2010/07/reme.html)
*The Third Turn
*TonyRoper.com
(Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20001018223446/http://www.tonyroper.com:80/)
*VirtualGlobetrotting.com
*Washington-Erving Motorsports
(Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20000511185305/http://www.washingtonerving.com/)
*Wikipedia

Special Thanks to Kenny Irwin superfan Eric on eBay