Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
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Iowa sprint car builder Fred Kain passed away this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kain Family. If anyone has any pictures of Fred and Billy's cars or stories please share them.

This is sad news.

RIP Fred. Hope you're having some great bench racing with the heroes who preceeded you.

The first night i arrived in the U S A when i moved here 10 years ago... Fred was there at Des Moine airport to pick me up ..Rest in peace old friend...Carl. Jeffrey.

After moving to Iowa in 2002, I drove out to Knoxville by myself after building a racecar in Leonard McCarl's shop. Leonard told me not to worry when I got to the track there would be some people there to help me. As I parked the trailer and walked to the back door of the rig Fred was there to greet me with his son Billy along with Roy and John Swanson. I had never set eyes on them before and didnt know them from Adam, they were not there to be paid, they were there because Leonard asked them to be. Fred looked over the car and had Billy make some changes, the boys mounted some tires, we rolled off to timetrail and I was 2nd quick, a week later I was quick time. Fred never stopped helping me and I know I am one of many, but I feel priviledged to have had him not only help and teach me but to have had him as my friend. Fred was a racer, but not just any racer, he was exceptional and even better innovator and fabricator. Thank you for your wisdom and friendship, I feel blessed to have had your attention for even a minute.

What a great man, forever in our hearts.

Lynton Jeffrey

Very sad news we just received the phone call earlier from his wife Betty that Fred passed today. I along with my father feel very fortunate to of seen him and in a way had the oppurtunity to say good bye to a good friend yesterday. I remember as a youngster the trips to Fred, Lenard, and Bobs shop to get the weekly scoop on the racing scene, those are memories that never fade to a kid hooked on sprint car racing. The stories, the gossip and of course the rumors that make you feel like in a way you where there as it happened. I know Fred has helped many new drivers along the way as well as a host of famous and legendary drivers and had the respect of many. Im very proud to of been friends with Fred and he will be missed for sure. Those times we had in our shop with him are times ya just cant forget and im fortunate to have one of his last projects he did for me which when finished is gonna proudly show the fabricating skills of Fred. I really got to know Fred as he moved into my Dads shop and finished the last few Challenger chasis, as the company was splitting up this was before he moved his operation to Pleasantville. I remember the people stopping by to talk to him and get some needed help or advice about race cars. I remember Fred talking to Greg Weld in 1992 and gettin off the phone walking over to me in a sad voice letting me know that my hero Doug Wolfgang had just been involved in his serious crash at Lakeside and it was not looking good. I remember the night that Mike and Dean Chadd invaded the shop and did a late night thrashing on a race car with Fred at the helm making sure the car was ready for battle and sure enough they won the 360 nationals which i beleive was one of the first few they held. I remember them laughing in victory lane saying they owed us one hell of a cleanup for the mess they left behind in the thrashing. I remember the backup Cahill car stationed at our shop the week Shane Carson was to drive it I will never forget helping put the engine in another late night scramble making yet more friends in racing. I remember Craig Keel stopping by getting some parts from Fred and talking strategy for the Nationals and me thinkin yeah right this guys got an open trailer and one engine and going to the nationals from PA. But I tell ya I was a beleiver that night when he was beating Steve Kinser in a qualifier for the nationals before losing the engine he was flying. The old stories of Wagner, Rager, Blackett, Pinckney just to name a few and later working with Dollansky, Shilling and Kevin Frey. He was a true patron to the sport and gave his heart and soul to sprint car racing. I remember joking with him about women and racing once at lunch time and him asking me what else is there He meant alot to me and my dad and we will never forget him for sure I know fred is up there somewhere catching up with some old friends and no doubt working on something. RIP Fred we will miss you

Andy Corigliano

Sprint Cars Do It On Dirt!

FREDS CAR @ DEVILS BOWL I BELEIVE IN 1980 DRIVEN BY SONNY SMYSER

The family of Fred Kain would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. Your memories, stories, and photos have helped us remember many great times.

Fred, 78, passed away Monday, December 12, 2011, after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by his children, Deb, Kate, & Bill. We knew he touch a lot of lives and are only now beginning to realize how many.

A Celebration of Fred's Life will be held Monday, December 19, 2011 at 1pm at South Gate Masonic Lodge, 1111 Randolph Street in Des Moines, IA, followed by a luncheon.

Due to a 2010 flood, the Kain family lost most of their old racing photographs and memorabilia. Anyone with stories or photos to share is encouraged to send them to Bill's daughter, Sara, at [email protected] for the family to pass onto grandchildren.

Thank you, again, to our friends, fans, competitors, and our entire racing family.