In 2008 Baldwin Racing took their new Geiser Brothers TT to Laughlin for its maiden run. After a tough weekend there, it was decided that we were going to run Parker and get some more race miles on the truck. The last minute decision to hear there left us with limited accommodations in Parker so we booked the team’s rooms in Havasu. That made for a bit of a drive and an early start to our race-day.
Baldwin Racing Crew Chief, Kevin Pence and I woke up before dawn and with one of our crew members, Mitch, in the back of the big Ford F-550 fuel truck, we headed down the road towards the pit.
As we were winding along the road, I reached for my drink in the cup holder and in the brief moment of misplacing my hand, my right pinky on my right hand momentarily grazed Kevin’s left pinky on his left hand while it was rested innocently in the armrest.
“What the hell are you doing,” said the now wide-a-wake and feisty Cowboy.
“Uhm… huh, what?” I said. Just working to move the heavy mass of truck conscientious of making sure we made it to the TT by the start of the race.
“You just tried to HOLD MY HAND,” Kevin Exclaimed.
“What?”
“You just tried to hold my hand.”
“No I didn’t. I was reaching for my drink.”
“That wasn’t your drink, it was my hand. I wasn’t holding your drink. But you just tried to hold my hand didn’t you? What is it with you Californian’s? That’s not going to fly with me.”
“Geezus… Really Kevin?”
This exchange continued the reminder of the drive much to the amusement of Mitch in the back seat.
As we roll up to the semi, it’s time to get serious. The crew and seemingly countless number of volunteers are all gathered around the Trophy Truck as the plan for the day is being finalized and before Kevin and I exit the truck I ask, “Is this put to bed? We’re going racing and it’s time to focus on that now. And besides, I was just reaching for my drink.”
“That’s fine. Just don’t be trying to hold my hand again.”
“Damn Kevin. Whatever.”
We get out of the truck and join the group around the truck. As now Kevin has arrived things get a little quieter and everyone is prepared to hang on his every word. And he speaks:
“So Patrick tried to hold my hand on the drive over here…”
With his cowboy hat, Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots, Kevin Pence was the closest thing I’ve met in racing to a true cowboy. And a pretty good authentication of the surly but affable personality of Robert Duval in Days of Thunder.
Kevin was an innovator and a winner who loved off-road. The demise of CORR and Baldwin Racing forced Kevin into an early retirement and he’s spent the last few years on his farm in Argonne, Wisconsin.
Last night Kevin the world and this sport lost a father a husband, a grandfather, one of the great car builders, a champion and one hell of a competitor.
My thoughts are with Holly, Dustin and the Pence and Kincaid Families for their loss.
Baldwin Racing Crew Chief, Kevin Pence and I woke up before dawn and with one of our crew members, Mitch, in the back of the big Ford F-550 fuel truck, we headed down the road towards the pit.
As we were winding along the road, I reached for my drink in the cup holder and in the brief moment of misplacing my hand, my right pinky on my right hand momentarily grazed Kevin’s left pinky on his left hand while it was rested innocently in the armrest.
“What the hell are you doing,” said the now wide-a-wake and feisty Cowboy.
“Uhm… huh, what?” I said. Just working to move the heavy mass of truck conscientious of making sure we made it to the TT by the start of the race.
“You just tried to HOLD MY HAND,” Kevin Exclaimed.
“What?”
“You just tried to hold my hand.”
“No I didn’t. I was reaching for my drink.”
“That wasn’t your drink, it was my hand. I wasn’t holding your drink. But you just tried to hold my hand didn’t you? What is it with you Californian’s? That’s not going to fly with me.”
“Geezus… Really Kevin?”
This exchange continued the reminder of the drive much to the amusement of Mitch in the back seat.
As we roll up to the semi, it’s time to get serious. The crew and seemingly countless number of volunteers are all gathered around the Trophy Truck as the plan for the day is being finalized and before Kevin and I exit the truck I ask, “Is this put to bed? We’re going racing and it’s time to focus on that now. And besides, I was just reaching for my drink.”
“That’s fine. Just don’t be trying to hold my hand again.”
“Damn Kevin. Whatever.”
We get out of the truck and join the group around the truck. As now Kevin has arrived things get a little quieter and everyone is prepared to hang on his every word. And he speaks:
“So Patrick tried to hold my hand on the drive over here…”
With his cowboy hat, Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots, Kevin Pence was the closest thing I’ve met in racing to a true cowboy. And a pretty good authentication of the surly but affable personality of Robert Duval in Days of Thunder.
Kevin was an innovator and a winner who loved off-road. The demise of CORR and Baldwin Racing forced Kevin into an early retirement and he’s spent the last few years on his farm in Argonne, Wisconsin.
Last night Kevin the world and this sport lost a father a husband, a grandfather, one of the great car builders, a champion and one hell of a competitor.
My thoughts are with Holly, Dustin and the Pence and Kincaid Families for their loss.