Kevin Kalkhoven – Ben's News Round-Up

Statements From Roger Penske And Mark Miles Following The Death Of Kevin Kalkhoven

Roger Penske has issued a statement following the news on Tuesday of the death of former NTT IndyCar Series team owner Kevin Kalkhoven.

Motorsports has lost one of its true leaders. Kevin Kalkhoven had a great passion for open-wheel racing, and his vision and support helped guide the sport through some turbulent times. As a leader of the Champ Car World Series, Cosworth Engineering and the KV Racing Technology team, Kevin had an incredible impact on INDYCAR. Our thoughts are with the Kalkhoven family and Kevin’s many friends and colleagues that are coping with his loss.”

Mark Miles, President and CEO of Penske Entertainment Corporation commented saying:

I met Kevin in 2013, and we quickly developed a personal friendship and a lot of common ground in racing. In many ways, winning that year’s Indianapolis 500 with Tony Kanaan must have been the highlight of his racing life. I’m sure he didn’t come back down to earth for many months. Kevin was a colorful, forceful personality who constantly brought new ideas to the table in an effort to grow the sport. I will miss him.

Former IndyCar Team Owner Kalkhoven Dies

Former NTT IndyCar Series team owner Kevin Kalkhoven has died at the age of 77 following a short illness it was announced on Tuesday.

Kalkhoven ran the KVSH Racing team and won the Indianapolis 500 with Tony Kanaan in 2013 with Tony Kanaan. In a statement on their Twitter feed Cosworth said:

We're incredibly saddened to learn the company’s former COB Kevin Kalkhoven, sadly passed away this morning, at the age of 77, following a recent illness. Cosworth extends its condolences to Kevin’s family and loved ones and respect their wishes for privacy at this difficult time pic.twitter.com/74j24uej6S
— Cosworth (@Cosworth) January 4, 2022

The Detroit Grand Prix tweeted:

Sad to hear of the passing of former @INDYCAR team owner Kevin Kalkhoven. With co-owner @jimmyvasser, Kalkhoven’s KVRT team won 7 #INDYCAR races – including the 2013 #Indy500 w/ @TonyKanaan – & its final win came at #DetroitGP w/ @BourdaisOnTrack in 2016. https://t.co/2AZg6kTIW7 pic.twitter.com/G8xQ2SHCuu
— Detroit Grand Prix (@detroitgp) January 4, 2022

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown commented on the sad news saying:

Deeply saddened at the loss of Kevin Kalkhoven. An Indy 500 winner, owner of ChampCar, Cosworth and the Long Beach Grand Prix, Kevin was a major force in motorsport but also a great colleague and friend, whose business success was mirrored by his generosity to great causes.
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) January 4, 2022