Hanging With Herman: Speedweeks!

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 February 2008 20:23 Written by Amy Henderson Wednesday, 13 February 2008 20:21

Kenny headed into Sunday’s Daytona qualifying session as an underdog, but was able to end up in the middle of the pack, good for a sixth-row start in the first of the critical Gatorade Duels on Thursday.  He reports that the car improved a great deal from practice, and the team feels good about their chances.

“We were pleasantly surprised with 27th which puts us on the inside of the sixth row in the first race on Thursday,” Kenny says.  We were fifth from the end in practice and I was really worried.  But we tuned the engine after practice and we got up halfway through he field.  Now we wait until Thursday.  Thursday is a big day for us.  In each of the races only two of the go or go home cars get in the Daytona 500.   I’m going to go for it!”

It’s a busy week for Kenny, who also starts the season with his new Fitz Motorsports team this week in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.  He says he’s ready to get started when the cars arrive in the garage.

“I’m also looking forward to the Shark Car rolling in down here,” says Kenny.  “I’ve been down here a week, but the Nationwide Series teams don’t get in until this week.  I’m really excited to get going with my Nationwide team.”

However, Kenny says that his week of racing the JEGS dirt modified did not go as smoothly as he might have liked.  However, he’s keeping busy and between TV and the rest of his activities, Speedweeks is flying by!   “My dirt racing has not gone the way we want it to.  We’re fast, but we just can’t get going” Kenny reports.  “They’ve wrecked in front of me a couple times and we just can’t quite get there.   I love Speedweeks.  Sometimes I hate for it to end because it’s just so much fun, even though it’s busy between my dirt car, my Sprint Cup car, and my Nationwide car.  I’ve been doing a lot of TV, too.  My brother Rusty told me, ‘Every time I turn on the TV, you’re on!’  I can’t wait for Tuesday.  I miss my wife tremendously but she’ll be here Tuesday!”