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R.I.P. Kevin Grubb
Back when I first began following racing in the 1990s, one of the many brother combinations I would see in the Busch Series races were the Grubbs -- Kevin and Wayne.
In eight seasons in the Nationwide series, Kevin Grubb ran 174 races, earned 10 top-5 finishes and had 32 top-10 runs, and earned 1 pole position. He was by no means a standout, but was a capable racecar driver living his dream in NASCAR, learning a living doing what he loved.
Then, sadly, drugs took over and had consequences on his career. He failed a substance abuse test in 2004 and was suspended by NASCAR. In 2006, back racing once again, he refused to take a drug test after a wreck at Richmond. That was the last time he raced.
Kevin Grubb was found dead Wednesday at the age of 31, in a motel near Richmond, Va. On Thursday, police said the investigation and autopsy showed Grubb had died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Police said there were no indications of any drug use found inside the room. A toxicology test has been done, with results not likely for weeks.
While I never knew Kevin, things like this are a good lesson and a good example of how fickle life can be. You can be a NASCAR driver racing for thousands of fans one moment, and someone with a deadly habit the next. The effects of those addictions can be deadly even if use has stopped, as people try to deal with their lives in the aftermath of their addictions. The tragic suicide of Grubb is just the latest example of this.
It's never easy to lose a family member or friend, and suicide is one of the most painful ways for it to happen. My thoughts are with the Grubb family, who are no doubt struggling to deal with the loss of Kevin at such a young age.
Rest in peace, Kevin.
In eight seasons in the Nationwide series, Kevin Grubb ran 174 races, earned 10 top-5 finishes and had 32 top-10 runs, and earned 1 pole position. He was by no means a standout, but was a capable racecar driver living his dream in NASCAR, learning a living doing what he loved.
Then, sadly, drugs took over and had consequences on his career. He failed a substance abuse test in 2004 and was suspended by NASCAR. In 2006, back racing once again, he refused to take a drug test after a wreck at Richmond. That was the last time he raced.
Kevin Grubb was found dead Wednesday at the age of 31, in a motel near Richmond, Va. On Thursday, police said the investigation and autopsy showed Grubb had died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Police said there were no indications of any drug use found inside the room. A toxicology test has been done, with results not likely for weeks.
While I never knew Kevin, things like this are a good lesson and a good example of how fickle life can be. You can be a NASCAR driver racing for thousands of fans one moment, and someone with a deadly habit the next. The effects of those addictions can be deadly even if use has stopped, as people try to deal with their lives in the aftermath of their addictions. The tragic suicide of Grubb is just the latest example of this.
It's never easy to lose a family member or friend, and suicide is one of the most painful ways for it to happen. My thoughts are with the Grubb family, who are no doubt struggling to deal with the loss of Kevin at such a young age.
Rest in peace, Kevin.
posted by Matt Myftiu at
12:59 AM
7 Comments:
I think that you are too quick to assume that drugs had anything to do with Kevin's unfortunate death. In fact, who are you to assume anything? You said yourself that you did not know him personally. Kevin was an outstanding driver and an outstanding person, that's what he should be remembered by, I pray that people will remember the person he was and not feel like making an example out of him. Thank you, Mike Stevens
Drugs are said to have not been involved...I do know that he took his own life. It is tragic when someone feels the only hope is to end life as they know it. I hope that he has found peace now.
Hello Mike,
Thanks for reading.
I meant no disrespect to Kevin, and if what the other comment says is true and he did kill himself, then the story is even sadder than I thought.
Sorry for your loss,
MATT
First of all, your "R.I.P." is tacky and uncaring to say the least.
Kevin Grubb was a victim in my opinion--people are not always looking out for our best interests and sadly Kevin may have learned that the hard way.
It is sad you never met him as he had a smile you would surely never forget; I know I won't.
My prayers are with his family and to Kevin---You will be so missed and it was a blessing to have seen that smile.
Pam Cooper
I had the privledge to meet Kevin back in 2004 through mutual friends of ours, we all hung out every once in a while and in all honesty he was a wonderful person to know. For anyone who actually knew him as a person knew of his humor, and his bright smile.Though I haven't spoken with Kevin in a while I hope that in his darkest hour that God was with him. It would be nice to see one of these reporters write about the good things he did through out his career in Nascar not about his last 2 years of aligations. My prayers go out to his family. May you finally be a peace Kevin.
I read that it was a self inflicted gun shot wound. NASCAR NOW just reported this.
Poor kid. I think drugs did send him in a downward spiral. It's sad that he had what any driver would give a body part for and then threw it away.
Condolences to his family.
Mark Twain said something along the lines of, "It's better to be a thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." As a result, I don't think it's ever a good idea to speculate, at least publicly, about how or why someone died until as many of the facts as possible come in. If you don't, you can end up looking foolish not to mention cause pain to surviving family members as a result of rabid and error ridden speculation. That said, it was apparently a self-inflicted GSW with no signs of drugs in the hotel room. Toxicology reports are pending.
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