Andy Kirby

Andy Kirby (November 30, 1961 – July 18, 2002) was an American former stock car racing driver, most notably in NASCAR. Kirby earned his reputation as a motorcycle racer in the Southeastern United States. Kirby would eventually become friends with NASCAR Busch Series driver Chad Chaffin, who in turn would assist Kirby in enhancing his career.

Early career Kirby turned heads by winning three track championships (1994, 1996, and 1997) at the highly competitive Nashville Speedway USA. He raced weekly against Chaffin (the 1993 and 1995 champion).

Busch Series career Owner Larry Lockamy offered Kirby a ride in his No. 28 Williams Travel Centers Chevy for some 1999 events. Kirby made his debut in February at Rockingham. He qualified in the 38th position, completed 157 laps, and then wrecked, finishing 31st. The next race in Las Vegas, he qualified in fifth place for his second career start. However, he wrecked and finished 42nd. He was 33rd at his home track, Nashville, 36th at Loudon and 26th at Dover Downs. His best finish came at Bristol. After starting 34th, Kirby finished in 20th. However, due to a lack of funding and performance, the Lockamy team released him.

However, Williams Travel was still intrigued by Kirby, and they got him a five-race deal in 2000 with the No. 39 Williams Chevy. He beat his Bristol finish with a 19th at Talladega. Later on, he placed 28th (at IRP), 33rd (at Bristol), 38th (at Memphis), and received one DNQ (Did not qualify).

In 2001, Andy mainly stayed at home but he had several offers during the season and got some seat time. He drove two races for Jay Robinson Racing. He once again got a career-best of 16th at Talladega and finished 33rd at Darlington. He ran three races for Moy Racing. He drove the No. 77 Ford to a 30th at Michigan International Speedway, 41st at Kansas, and 32nd at Homestead-Miami. He ran one race in the No. 52 Means Racing Ford. He finished 41st at Memphis.

Kirby ran well enough in 2001 to be asked back to those teams in 2002. He ran the first five races for Moy, finished 28th at Las Vegas as the best among those five. Jay Robinson asked him to come for four races. Kirby received his best career finish at Talladega once again. After avoiding a big wreck, Andy was able to come home in sixth position, his first and only top-ten. In the other three races, he finished 23rd, 29th, and 32nd. Kirby ran two races for Fred Bickford. He finished 39th and 41st in those races. Kirby's final start came at Kentucky Speedway, where he finished 23rd.

Death Kirby was getting ready to make a start at Pikes Peak. However, he was killed in a motorcycle accident in his hometown White House, Tennessee, on July 18, 2002. Kirby lost control of his motorcycle on a curve and crashed into a tree about away. Many teams ran decals on their cars honoring Kirby following his death.

Motorsports results

NASCAR (key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Busch Series NASCAR Busch Series results Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Pts Ref 1999 Larry Lockamy 28 Chevy DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR TEX NSV BRI TAL CAL NHA RCH NZH CLT DOV SBO GLN MLW MYB PPR GTY IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT CAR MEM PHO HOM 67th 414 2000 Dan Browder 78 Chevy DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX 72nd 298 Brewco Motorsports 39 Chevy NSV TAL CAL RCH NHA CLT DOV SBO MYB GLN MLW NZH PPR GTY IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT CAR MEM PHO HOM 2001 Jay Robinson Racing 49 Chevy DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX NSH TAL CAL RCH NHA NZH CLT DOV KEN MLW GLN CHI GTY PPR IRP 59th 399 PRW Racing 77 Ford MCH BRI KAN CLT HOM Jay Robinson Racing 49 Ford DAR RCH Means Racing 52 Ford MEM PHO CAR 2002 Moy Racing 77 Ford DAY CAR LVS DAR BRI TEXQL† 48th 818 Jay Robinson Racing 49 Ford NSH TAL CAL KEN MLW DAY CHI GTY PPR IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM ATL CAR PHO HOM R3B Motorsports 94 Chevy RCH NHA NZH CLT DOV NSH† - Qualified but replaced by Brad Teague

ARCA Re/Max Series (key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.) ARCA Re/Max Series results Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Pts Ref 2001 Andy Kirby 49 Ford DAY NSH WIN SLM GTY KEN CLT KAN MCH POC MEM GLN KEN MCH POC NSH ISF CHI DSF SLM TOL BLN CLT TAL ATL 188th 30