CHINA GROVE, N.C. (May 10, 2011)– Alex “Kid” Kennedy is going to have some help when he takes on Miles the Monster in this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway.
Kennedy, 19, will have Funny Dan the Race Car Man on the hood and St. Baldrick’s Foundation on his quarter panels and decklid as he races on the one-mile concrete oval of the “Monster Mile.” This will be his second start for R3 Motorsports this year and fourth start at Dover, with the prior ones coming in K&N East Pro Series competition.
Funny Dan the Race Car Man is a children’s book about a NASCAR driver who competes for the pure joy of doing what he loves best –racing. Written by Tim Packman, the team’s Communications Director, the book was published by Headline Kids and debuted last week; it is also part of the NASCAR Library Collection. The idea to put the colorful cover on the hood came from Kennedy himself when deciding how to decal the car for Dover.
In 2006, Headline Kids published a book titled, Cutting Class: The St. Baldrick’s Story of Christian Academy of Louisville Rock Creek by students and teachers of Christian Academy of Louisville Rock Creek, Louisville, KY with Martin & Delia Wach. Kennedy is the National Spokesperson for St. Baldrick’s in the NASCAR Nationwide Series attending multiple functions.
With the combined forces of Kennedy, Funny Dan and St. Baldrick’s all teaming together to take on Miles the Monster, R3 Motorsports is looking to continue their success as of late. A finish of 20th by Robert Richardson, Jr. at Richmond and 13th at Darlington last week by Scott Riggs put them back in the top-30 in Owner’s Points.
Fast Facts:Kennedy, from Aztec, N.M., made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Road America last year where he achieved his best start of 15th. His best finish of 16th came at Watkins Glen in August. Through six NNS starts, he completed 96.2% of laps contested.
Track Facts:This will be Kennedy’s first NNS start at Dover, but he does have three prior NASCAR K&N East Pro Series starts on the concrete oval. His qualifying average of 12.3 is based off his 12th, seventh and 18th place starts. His best finish of 11th took place last year.
Car Facts:Walter Giles and team are rolling out chassis No. 36 for this race. The last time this car saw action was at Bristol Motor Speedway when engine problems cut their day short just 67 circuits into the race.
Did you know:Alex Kennedy cut his teeth in Legends cars out west winning at tracks like Infineon Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway?
Come meet Kid Kennedy:Alex Kennedy will take part in the NNS Driver’s Autograph Session at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning in the souvenir alley outside of the frontstretch.
Tune in for the Win: All the action is covered this weekend with Speed TV taking the practice session from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (ET) on Friday. Qualifying will be on ESPN2 at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday then ESPN takes the 200-lap race later in the day at 2 p.m. MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 will have it live on the radio.
Alex Kennedy Quotes: “I’m looking forward to getting back in the No. 23 Dodge for R3 Motorsports, and I couldn’t pick a better place than Dover. I love the Monster Mile and its due time we avoid getting bitten again there. I’m looking forward to continuing the momentum that Rob Jr. and Scott Riggs have built up the past few weekends.
“Funny Dan the Racecar Man is on our hood for Dover. This is a new children’s book written by our very own Tim Packman. St. Baldrick’s is also returning to our car on the quarter panels. I can’t think of a better combination; a kid’s book and a kid’s cancer charity on the car of Kid Kennedy. Having spent some time with the St. Baldrick’s people, I’m looking forward to what we can do together to “Conquer Kid’s Cancer.”
“My primary goals are to set a quick pace in practice, bust out a good qualifying time and keep that momentum rolling for the race. I’m really looking forward to this weekend at one of my favorite tracks.” About Funny Dan the Race Car Man Funny Dan the Race Car Manis a fun-loving NASCAR driver who is motivated by the desire to enjoy what he does. He enjoys working with his crew and just having fun in the sport he loves so much. He may not be the first on race day, but he’s a winner to those around him every day. Author Tim Packman spins an engaging story about teamwork and competition which is brought to life through the eye-catching illustrations by Brendan Sellaro. Included is a glossary of racing terms, so get ready to start your engines and join Funny Dan in this exciting race car adventure. www.FunnyDanRaceCarMan.com
About the St. Baldrick’s Foundation The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, a child’s best hope for a cure. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005; St. Baldrick’s has funded more than $57 million in childhood cancer research. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.
