KEVIN WINS THE PRESTIGIOUS HARF PAT O'CONNOR AWARD! On January 22nd, the Hoosier Auto Racing Fanclub (HARF) held their 54th annual banquet.   Kevin was slated to attend, only to support his fellow drivers and the club that does so much for the sport.  Kevin was in for the surprise of his life! As per HARF's format, all awards, except two are announced prior to the banquet.  The two that are left to be "unveiled" at the banquet are the Sportsmanship Award and the most coveted of all Indiana awards, The Pat O'Connor Award. The Pat O'Connor award is NOT a yearly award, but rather, is made only in years when the Executive Board feel there is a Midwest driver who lives up to the spirit and ideals on which the award is based. Those include, devotion, cooperation and a constant effort to make auto racing the sport of which all are to be proud of.  The person MUST also show consideration for others, fellow competitors, race officials, fans and ALL others connected with the sport. HARF says, "The recipient must be so outstanding we recognize the quality in a person that makes them eligible for this honor." Kevin won this prestigious award! Kevin was completely surprised and deeply honored.  Kevin will join the following names in history who have won this award:  Sonny Ates, Dick Dwenger, Rollie Beale, Larry Rice, Mel Kenyon, Sheldon Kinser, Lee Kunzman, Butch Wilkerson, Tom Bigelow, Joe Saldana, Steve Chassey, Jeff Gordon, Hank Lower, Randy Kinser, Kevin Thomas, Kenneth Nichols, Dave Darland, Eddie Cheever, Terry Pletch and Sondi Eden.  Simply to be listed on that roster means the world to Kevin. Kevin would like to thank HARF and all of the great fans, track officials, industry people and drivers who have considered him worthy of such an honor.  Kevin says, "An award like this is something I will treasure always.  I guess the way I look at it is that no matter who the driver is, you can't always control your finishes, no one can will ALL OF THE TIME, things happen beyond your control.  However, as a driver, the one thing, and the ONLY thing, you can control each and every time you hit the race track is what kind of PERSON you are while you are there.  I've always strived to be honorable to my fellow competitors, respectful to the race officials and community, and friendly to the fans. To get an award that recognizes that means that I've done something right. In my book, that is the biggest win a guy could ever get."