All of us with the NOSA Sprints were saddened to hear the news of Lou Kennedy's passing on Tuesday.
Kennedy's importance to our sport is immeasurable. It's safe to say, if there was a 'Mount Rushmore' of Sprint Car racing in our area, that Kennedy would be on it. As one of the dominant forces when he was behind the wheel in the 1960's and 70's, Kennedy is still remembered today along with names like Don Mack, George Swangler, and Bucky Peterson.
Kennedy's importance to our sport is immeasurable. It's safe to say, if there was a 'Mount Rushmore' of Sprint Car racing in our area, that Kennedy would be on it. As one of the dominant forces when he was behind the wheel in the 1960's and 70's, Kennedy is still remembered today along with names like Don Mack, George Swangler, and Bucky Peterson.
When Kennedy decided to retire from driving, his influence on our sport was far from over. He quickly went from driver to coach, turning his son Lou, Jr. into one of the next of the top tier of drivers from our area.
In addition to his countless wins as a driver himself, he was able to add two Jackson Nationals titles, a Wissota National Championship, and two NOSA championships, among countless other wins and titles, with his son Lou, Jr.
For those of us who didn't get the opportunity to see him race, Kennedy was always a welcome sight in the pits in recent years, as he went on to become the coach for two more of our own, his Grandson Thomas, and his Granddaughter Amber.
With his grandchildren, Kennedy has been able to add a NOSA Rookie of the Year award with Amber, and wins with the All Star Circuit of Champions, and the ASCS National Tour with Thomas, among many other accomplishments, to his resume.
In addition to his countless wins as a driver himself, he was able to add two Jackson Nationals titles, a Wissota National Championship, and two NOSA championships, among countless other wins and titles, with his son Lou, Jr.
For those of us who didn't get the opportunity to see him race, Kennedy was always a welcome sight in the pits in recent years, as he went on to become the coach for two more of our own, his Grandson Thomas, and his Granddaughter Amber.
With his grandchildren, Kennedy has been able to add a NOSA Rookie of the Year award with Amber, and wins with the All Star Circuit of Champions, and the ASCS National Tour with Thomas, among many other accomplishments, to his resume.
Photos courtesy of Tom Cummings.
Hall of Fame announcer Pat Mooney, who was inducted with the inaugural class of the Red River Co-op Speedway in Winnipeg with Kennedy in 2015, said of Kennedy during his induction, "What can you say about Lou Kennedy! I don't know all the stories, but I've heard a few, but there's the guy that drove The Guess Who Chevy Sprint back in the day."
Mooney continued, "The most popular name I remember hearing him called was 'The Blue Bomber.' All the announcers seemed to like that one. I've seen him race [Winnipeg,] Grand Forks, Fargo, all over the place, and I walked over the hill at the Minnesota State Fair, and who do I see parked beside Donny Mack, Lou Kennedy. He raced on dirt, he raced on asphalt, and he's trained a family of racers, including a third generation driver here [Thomas.] You're gonna hear about this guy, yet. This kid is something else, just like a chip off the old blocks."
It's definitely going to be tough not seeing him pull into the pits in the gray motorhome, and see him walk though the pits, as we had become accustomed to in recent years.
So to Iris, Lou, Jr., Susan, Mike, Kim, Laura, Amber, Thomas, Sean, and Louie, and the rest of your family and friends, all of us with NOSA send our best wishes and prayers to you during this difficult time, and are thankful for the times we had to spend with Lou, and your entire family.
Mooney continued, "The most popular name I remember hearing him called was 'The Blue Bomber.' All the announcers seemed to like that one. I've seen him race [Winnipeg,] Grand Forks, Fargo, all over the place, and I walked over the hill at the Minnesota State Fair, and who do I see parked beside Donny Mack, Lou Kennedy. He raced on dirt, he raced on asphalt, and he's trained a family of racers, including a third generation driver here [Thomas.] You're gonna hear about this guy, yet. This kid is something else, just like a chip off the old blocks."
It's definitely going to be tough not seeing him pull into the pits in the gray motorhome, and see him walk though the pits, as we had become accustomed to in recent years.
So to Iris, Lou, Jr., Susan, Mike, Kim, Laura, Amber, Thomas, Sean, and Louie, and the rest of your family and friends, all of us with NOSA send our best wishes and prayers to you during this difficult time, and are thankful for the times we had to spend with Lou, and your entire family.
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