2 Nascar Champions in 2 Weekends! Part 2 of 2; Matt Kenseth
In 2000, a Nascar rookie was on the scene that won the famous Coca-Cola 600 race. The Coke 600 is the longest race on the Nascar schedule, at 600 miles in race length. So, when a rookie won the race...he turned a few heads. In fact, that race was the only Coke 600, to be won by a rookie.
That rookie went on to win Nascar's 'Rookie of the Year' honours, finishing 14th in Cup points. That year, his rookie year, Matt Kenseth participating in 34 races and became a serious threat to win every race afterwards, for Rousch Racing.
Only three years later, Kenseth was on top of the Nascar world.
In 2003, the DeWalt Power Tools sponsored driver won only 1 race...Las Vegas. However, his fantastic performances in other races; 11 top fives and a series-high 25 top-10 finishes, caused Matt Kenseth to remain 1st for 33 consecutive weeks in overall points, and setting a new modern-era record for most weeks at No. 1. The previous mark was 30 weeks, set by the late Dale Earnhardt during his first title season of 1980.
Matt Kenseth won the 2003 Nascar-Winston Cup Championship. It was DeWalt/Roush Racing first Champion also. For his efforts that year, he won $9.4 million in race winnings.
In 2009, Kenseth finally won the 'big race'. February 16, 2009 was the date of the "Great American Race", and Kenseth was hoping for a good day. Kenseth, who went winless in 2008, participated in his 10th Daytona 500. The Daytona 500, which is the most popular race on the Nascar schedule, is the most desirable win for all drivers. On lap 146, Matt Kenseth took the lead from Elliott Sadler, and didn't look back. On lap 152, the cars came into pit road under the red flag; Kenseth remained in his car while other drivers stayed in theirs and others exited their cars, during the rain. At 6:49p.m. EST, sixteen minutes after the start of the red flag, NASCAR officials decided to call the race declaring Kenseth the winner.
"It's going to be really wet out here because I'm crying like a baby," said Kenseth moments after the race was declared. "I tell you what, after last year, winning a race means a lot to me," Kenseth later said!
With that said, when a Champion like Kenseth comes to my area for an autograph appearance...I take notice.
...And that's what happened.
While I getting things ready for the Wallace signing, I found out that Matt Kenseth was going to be appearing at the Canadian Motorsports Expo, situated at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
I went to the CME last year, to meet my all-time favourite driver...Canadian legend; Jacques Villeneuve. I felt it was a nicely ran event, and I enjoyed meeting JV at the CME. I got an 16x20 signed by Canada's greatest driver, that day. It's one of my absolute favourite autographs.
So, after my good experience at the CME last year, I decided to go back again this year to meet Matt Kenseth, and check out what the Expo had to offer.
Normally, I talk about the 'big hunt' to find something to get signed, around this point...but I already was set in the department! A few years ago, when 2-time Daytona 500 winner; Michael Waltrip came to a local NAPA store, Corinna got a diecast and more importantly...a panoramic print of the Daytona International Speedway signed by Waltrip. We picked up the print at the Nascar store in Woodbridge, Ontario...and thought it would nice to collect a few Daytona winners on it. Little did we know, how difficult this project would be.
Like I mentioned, in part 1, Nascar drivers don't really come to Canada often...especially former Daytona 500 winners! So, when Kenseth announced that he was coming to the CME...I knew excatly what I getting signed!
However, I did want a diecast signed also...for my small collection of signed cars. I found a seller in Brampton, Ontario on craigslist.ca, thanks to a Spawn.com board member who pointed me in the right direction. This was a special diecast...it was the 2003 Championship edition of Kenseth. After agreeing on a price, the deal was done.
The CME was scheduled to happen the weekend after the racing event in London, which worked out nicely for me. 2 champs, in 2 weekends. (Title drop!)
After picking up the Kenseth diecast the night before, the Saturday arrived. I decided to bring my son, Joshua, along to see the Expo. He enjoyed meeting Doug Gilmour (see 'Killer' entry, for that story), and seems to be enjoying autographing. I told him that often Nascar drivers show up to signing with their own photos, called 'Hero Cards', and sign them for fans...for free. He got excited at the prospect of a free signed picture.
After driving to the International Centre, which is across from Toronto's Pearson airport, we got a good parking spot...which could be a problem sometimes. Once we bought our tickets for the Canadian Motorsports Expo, we entered the show around 12:30pm. The signing was scheduled to begin at 2:30pm, but the CME greeter told us that people had already started lining up for Kenseth's signing. Two hours early?! I kind of dismissed it, as Josh and I walked in and started looking at all the cool race cars on display.
We saw Porsches, Audis, Outlaws, Dirt track races, classic races, go-karts, and a 2010 Corvette ZR1. Paul Tracy's Player's Indy car was also on display.
But the highlight of the CME's cars were the two Nascar show-cars on display.
CME had superstar drivers, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr's show-cars on display. Gordon's Dupont 24 and Dale Jr's Amp Energy 88 were really popular, as alot of people were getting photos with the stock cars. Hendrick racing had brought the cars to the CME, and were also handed out (unsigned) 'Hero Cards' of Gordon and Dale Jr to those who visited the show-cars.
Josh and I spent some time looking at these cars, and took some pictures with them. Josh also collected the pictures that were handed out, by Hendrick Racing.
After looking at some other displays, we made our way to the back of the CME, where the Q&A/autograph pavillion was located. We immediately saw the line-up. It was pretty early to line up for Kenseth's autograph, but judging by the amount of people still walking around in Kenseth/DeWalt gear, I decided to bite the bullet...and get in line.
It turned out to be a good move.
We were about 50th in line, and in the span in 15 minutes...another 100 people lined up. After 30 minutes, he entire line had about 400 people. At that point, we were still an hour away from the beginning of the Kenseth appearance. People in line were told how the signing was to happen. The first 100 people or so, were going to be brought into the Q&A area, where they could sit down and watch Kenseth's interview. Afterwards, we would then be first to get Kenseth's autograph, going to the stage area...row by row.
I was relieved to hear, that we were going to sit down for abit! After that bit of good news, the Michelin man walked by. I got Josh to pose for a picture...even though he didn't want to!
Just before the line was to move into the Q&A area, I decided to check out the length of the line. When I stood at the front of the line, I couldn't see the back! Walking along the line, I was stunned to see how people were here. There must of been 1000 people waiting for their chance to meet the Daytona 500 winner!
Finally, our time came to move into the seated area. Once we were sitted, in the 4th row, Josh and I got our stuff ready. Josh wanted to get the special diecast signed, leaving me with the Daytona print to get autographed. I then noticed that the emcee of the CME, lifted a box onto the signing table, and started pulling out hundreds of 'Hero Cards'. I pointed this out to Josh, and he got pretty excited at the chance of getting a free signed picture for his own collection. I was kind of excited too...I enjoy getting free autographed pictures!
After sitting for about 10 minutes, Matt Kenseth was introduced. He got a nice round of applause from those in attendance! He was intereviewed for a few mintues, which he discussed becoming a team owner, and what it was like having his son drive for him. He also talked about racing his son, and being very thankful to beat him! He ended the interview by talking about his first time in 10 years being with a different sponsor. His longtime sponsor, DeWalt Power Tools, are leaving Nascar, and Crown Royal is stepping up as Kenseth's new sponsor. He also added, that he was getting a new crew, which he was excited about. I wish him luck...in purple, instead of black and yellow!
Soon after, the signing began.
The emcee spoke that since there was an incredible amount of people, there would be only one autograph per person (If I've only had a dollar for everytime I've heard that statement), and that no posed pictures will happen...so everyone could get an autograph. Fine by me.
Josh was concerned at this point, for getting a free 'Hero Card'. I told him, that those were giveaways, and all he had to do was ask nicely for one. He smiled at the prospect, again.
After the first three rows went up, it was showtime for Joshua and I. Josh had the diecast carefully in his hands, and I had the print unrolled, as we climbed the stage to meet the new Crown Royal driver.
Josh handed the diecast to Kenseth's helper, and asked for a picture...as the stack of 'Hero Cards' were in front of him. The helper said sure, and put a picture with the diecast, in front of Matt Kenseth. Kenseth noticed my 11 year old son, and asked how he was doing?
For the second time, in as many signings, Josh was star-struck! Josh didn't (or perhaps couldn't) respond, as Matt Kenseth picked up a silver Sharpie and beautifully autographed the number 17 DeWalt diecast.
Quickly, Kenseth switched Sharpies, picking up a black one, and signed the 'Hero Card' for Josh. I hope Josh said thank you, but I'm not sure...it was my turn.
Kenseth's helper wanted to take my Daytona 500 print from me, but I wasn't having that! The print, itself, is a large photo that has to be unrolled properly...and I had the spot that I wanted Kenseth to sign rolled open. I didn't want to hand it off, losing the spot...right beside Michael Waltrip's autograph. She, the helper, decided not to rock the boat, as I placed the print directly in front of Kenseth. Since, he already had the black Sharpie in his hand, he went directly beside Waltrip's autograph, and signed a beauty for me!
I congratulated him on the Daytona win, and asked for a 'Hero Card'. "Thanks alot, sure!" he replied. He signed the picture for me, as I wished him well for the upcoming Nascar season. We shook hands, then I collected my things and my son. He said "Thanks" again, as Josh and I departed the stage area. He was really cool to meet and greet.
Josh and I stopped at a table set off to the side of the stage, and properly put away our autographed items. As I rolled up the print, and Josh put the diecast in it's box, I asked Josh, if he heard the Nascar champion ask him how he doing. Josh slowly looked at me stunned..."He asked me something, Dad?!".
That's my boy.
This concludes this two-parter, hope you enjoyed it!
See you soon,
Chris
