Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Kenny Jacobs returning to Sprint Car racing to have fun and write another chapter in his storied racing career

I know he says he won't race the Nationals but would sure be great if T-Mac could get The Mouse to compete at the Front Row Challenge.

LOVE IT!!! And if he does have the equipment, he COULD run with these young bucks, I'd be willing to bet!

I thought the reason he quit (and I could be wrong) was that he hurt his back and the Doctors told him not to race again.  If that is the case, does he still have this issue?  I love seeing him race but I sure hope it is safe for him.

This is so cool. I grew up a big Kenny Jacobs fan and loved having him in PA regularly for a bit. I still have a weikerts shirt of his that I wear quite a lot. I think Kenny can hang with them and still be competetive. If he's locked in psychologically, I think he has just as good of a chance as anyone to win a few races here and there with that equipment

We're not allowed to apply common sense to Sprint Car drivers or the trolls will eat us alive.   

Seriously though, back and neck issues aren't anything to mess around with.  Coming from someone who has titanium parts in his neck and is over 60 so I know what I'm talking about.  I respect drivers, their skills and all that, but when common sense gets thrown out the window I do my best to bite my tongue.  Felt the same way when I heard that Hewitt was going to race last summer.  Those kinds of injuries are nothing to mess with lest one risk spending the rest of their days getting shuffled around in a wheelbarrow. 

Stan Meissner

I, too, understood that Kenny (love him to death) was told not to race anymore and as much as it related to his back, it also was related to head injuries.  I hate to see guys do this to themselves.   Yep, I know it's hard to step away, but there comes a time when you have "man up" and figure spending time with your grandchildren is WAY more important than a race car or race track.  God watch over you Kenny!

I understand the addiction and we've seen this before so I wish Kenny the best.   No harm or disrepect intended but I'm in that grandkid phase now and don't care to do a lot of the things I used to do because I lost a step or two.  Bottom line, it's a personal choice.

Stan Meissner

With only Dale left, maybe Kenny feels he can get his career All-Star victories record back.  Wonder if Guy had anything to do with this?

With only Dale left, maybe Kenny feels he can get his career All-Star victories record back.  Wonder if Guy had anything to do with this?

Everything I have read says The Mouse will be racing Renegade races. It is a wonder the quote from Guy Webb didn't mention him, too.

Did you open up the link and read it? Pretty much says he wont be running with the All Stars....

Just to clarify my dad has no issues with head injuries at all and we as a family are wondering where such information would even come from.  I will say that I am not 100% behind this idea like my sisters, but then again they don't have to strap in and try to beat one of the best like I now have to.  I will say that I support anything that my dad wants to do and if he wants to go out and have some more fun who am I to stop him.

Lee Jacobs 

From other people with the real head issues. At any rate go get'em Kenny.

Agree! You only live once.

From Stan M: "We're not allowed to apply common sense to Sprint Car drivers or the trolls will eat us alive.   "

Brilliant!

Please correct Me if I'm wrong - But didn't Opperman have a bad accident that messed up his head, and he was then advised by the doctors not to race again. Then against that advice a year or so later started to race again only to have another serious accident that basiclly disabled him.

I'd hesitate mightily to compare the Mouse with Opperman as far as past injuries.  Yes, Opperman almost died at the '76 Hoosier Hundred when he flipped and got drilled him in the cage.  Not sure if he was advised not to race again... but he came back, was never the same, and got hurt as bad or worse at Jennerstown I believe around the '81 timeframe.  He was done from there, confined to a wheelchair.  Other than the stray concussion (flew out of Eldora in '89, for example), I don't think Kenny has had any head injury issues (which his son Lee confirmed).  He has broken his back a time or two... but certainly nothing as crazy as what Opperman dealt with... IMO.  

I think the funniest line I ever heard was at a UMSS 360 drivers meeting up in Brainerd, Minnesota.  The drivers are all standing around talking and one looks up, points at some sky divers off in the distance and says "those guys are cray".  It's all a matter of perspective. 

Stan Meissner

Whether or not he should do it isn't for me to say. Its between him and his family. I wish him the best. I've always been a fan of his. Good guy, helluva driver.