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CUP: Calinoff’s Capsule Comments
Matt Kenseth will always be a special person in my life...
Mike Calinoff  |  Posted October 09, 2012   Concord, NC
Matt Kenseth celebrates winning the 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup title. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
This was that day.

Winning the Winston Cup Championship in 2003 with Matt Kenseth has had an everlasting impact on my life. It was the first time that I really felt part of a goal-based collective effort that yielded the most positive ending. Little did I know at the time that, for me, it was only the beginning.

When you achieve something that defines you it’s very far-reaching. In my case, that milestone would create a strong sense of pride for my family. My mom, dad and sister would forever beam and brag – sometimes even a bit too much – but I get it.

At our season-ending celebration in Homestead, we got championship hats. I remember the exact moment that I put it on. It was a validation that stirred every possible emotion you could imagine. Today, as I write this, I feel those emotions as if were happening all over again.

I asked for an extra hat for my dad. I knew it would be something he’d cherish and wear with pride. After all, it was he who got me into this crazy sport to begin with at the grassroots level. It was the least I could do to say ‘thank you’ for engaging me in something that would now become my life.

For the next year, my dad wore that hat like a crown. He actually wore it too much according to my mom. But he really loved that hat.

One year later, exactly to the day that we celebrated our Championship at the Waldorf Hotel in New York, my dad suddenly passed. It was the Thursday before the 2004 banquet.

One of the first calls I made was to Matt. Although I wasn’t going to the banquet, I was going to Wisconsin on that Sunday to emcee his annual Fan Club party. He offered his condolences and said he’d be thinking about me.

Five minutes later he called back and said he was heading to New York that afternoon and offered to take me to a regional airport on Long Island so that I could be with my family.

He and Katie met me at his hangar. They had their formal clothes in hanging bags. Matt didn’t even say hello – he said, “I really hate playing dress-up” and smiled. Then he reached into his car and handed me a Starbucks coffee he had picked up for us. “It’s probably cold by now, but you’ll drink it anyway”, referencing our shared enjoyment of the dark bean.

As we boarded, he motioned me to sit facing him. Airborne, he opened a John Grisham book, The King of Torts, and began to read. I looked out the window. It was an awkward time because my emotions were fragile and I really didn’t know what to say. Finally, I said ‘thank you.’ He said it was no problem, referring to the plane ride, and didn’t look up. “No,” I said, “Thanks for winning me a Championship. My dad was so proud of me for accomplishing that.” I remember my voice was shaking because I didn’t want to show him that emotion without crying. And then I told him about how much that hat meant to my dad.

He looked up from his book and said, “It’s a blessing when we can make our parents proud. I know.” And that was pretty much the end of our conversation. Yep, typical Matt: Tell him a story and get one line of wisdom.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Matt for a total of 10 seasons. They’ve been some of the greatest days in my life and have created memories that will never be duplicated. Winning a championship, two Daytona 500’s and many races together in the Cup and Nationwide Series can never be taken from me.

Matt Kenseth is a special person in my life. What I’ve learned from him as a driver has allowed me to do my job more effectively. But what I’ve learned from him away from the track far exceeds my job. He’s made me a better person and altered my values in a very positive way.

He’s the consummate professional and the hardest-core racer I’ve ever met. And although I’m sometimes guilty of not exercising the quality, I’ve learned to think a little before I speak.

From day one he’s had my back. He’s taken an interest in other things I was doing and he’s always been there for advice and support with life and business challenges, and he’s always made me feel like I can tell him anything and never be judged.

If our final measurement is based on the company we keep, I’m gonna be in really good shape.

Although 2013 will open new chapters in both of our lives, I’ll continue to learn by his example as we continue our friendship.

And always be his biggest fan.

Mike Calinoff is the Spotter for NASCAR Champions Matt Kenseth (NSCS), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (NNS) and driver Nelson Piquet Jr. (NCWTS). A 20-year veteran of the sport, Calinoff owns @140BUZZ, a social media and branding company. He can be reached at mike@mikecalinoff.com and at Twitter.com/Mike Calinoff. The opinions reflected herein are solely those of Mike Calinoff and do not necessarily reflect those of SPEED.com, Roush Fenway Racing, Ford or relative race team sponsors.
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