Joshua Weatherman
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
Mahatma Gandhi
It’s no secret that being a race car driver takes guts. Heck, some people say it takes a bit of insanity. But for Kevin Kromer, it’s just been a way of life. Something that he’s known almost his entire time on Earth and still competes in. But Kromer’s journey is different contrasting to most. One filled with a never say die attitude and a rock solid will.
Like a lot of drivers, Kromer started his career in quarter midgets and go karts, capturing numerous victories along the way. That road eventually led the Pennsylvania native to Modifieds, the fastest stock car around. Calling Mahoning Valley Speedway home, wins eventually became easy to come by. A track career so storied that Kromer has recently been inducted into the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall Of Fame.
It was also around this time period when Kevin was tasked to work on a 1987 Dodge Shadow. His day job consisted of tinkering in a Chrysler dealership, but his love of cars consumed him enough to moonlight at night in his own garage. This particular Shadow had multiple issues, almost to the point of undrivable. Or so the owner said. It’s almost as if the Shadow’s driver had an ulterior motive toward all of the labor. That owner was named Kelly. The car is long gone, but she’s not. She’s been with Kevin for 30+ years, happily married and therefore now along for the ride in this crazy world of racing.
Feeling the need for something a little bit different, Kromer soon transitioned to full bodied stock cars, Hooters Pro Cup to be exact. His first year was relatively harmless, just learning the ropes of such a difficult vehicle to handle. Business would pick up in 2004, completing more laps than he ever had and even collecting a 13th place finish at Adirondack.
Come 2009, Kromer committed himself to the Super Cup Stock Car Series. Triumph had already been associated with the Kromer name, however it was about to reach another level. Every rise to greatness comes with its speed bumps, big and small.
No advance warning or epiphany could prepare him for the roller coaster ride that was about to take place.
Southern National. Shenandoah. Jennerstown. Dominion. All tracks leading to a Super Cup Stock Car title over fellow competitor Ron Langdon in 2019. Seven wins overall in a season where Kromer nearly scored a top ten in every race he competed in. Riding along on Kevin’s # 77 machine was Mission Racer, a non-profit organization creating by Kevin and Kelly aiming to support cancer patients and research. A beautiful gesture to combat such a terrible disease. Yet this was personal for the Kromers. Sadly, a little too personal.
June 2016 delivered critical news. Kevin Kromer was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, ushering in the need for an ultra dangerous surgery. But it seemed as if Kromer’s racing career had sadly ended, with doctors advising against any form of racing. The curtain had closed, a legacy cut short by an awful disease. But, as in Kevin’s own words: “I don’t quit easy.”
With guts made of steel and a heart made of iron, Kromer jumped back into a race car the first chance he got. Most drivers would’ve gave up the wheel, taking their ball and going home in a fully understandable situation. But Kromer’s a different kind of racer. The kind of racer to get better each and every year through thick and thin, snapping all of his doctor’s prospects in the process. The kind of racer to make his ARCA debut in the face of adversity. If you doubt it, just ask his Super Cup championship trophy. Oh, and the cancer? He beat it.
Settling into a new home in 2022, Kromer became a part of the brand new Grand National Super Series Presented By ECC family. Mostly same cars, but primarily different competition. Surely a challenge, right? I think you forgot who we’re talking about.
Grabbing one win and ten top fives, the 77 hot rod cemented itself as one to beat. Along the way, wife Kelly became inclined to share more behind the scenes content. And so Race Wife Life was born. An outlet that shows just how much racing wives work to make the race day world go round. Cooking, managing social media accounts, taking care of and helping their partners throughout the day. On a first hand account, I can attest to the fact that Kelly juggles multiple tasks. If you come across her, she’s more than likely busy with something. The page soon gained traction, even to the point of being asked to do pre-race interviews for the GNSS.
2023 was statistically better, notching double the wins and eighteen top fives. An effort good enough for runner up in the point standings. With that unfortunately came a curve ball. In November, cancer had once again wreaked havoc, this time a small cell form that settled into Kromer’s liver. Necessitating chemotherapy, 2024 looked bleak in terms of racing. Nevertheless, Kromer defied the odds once more.
In a tight points battle with former NASCAR Cup Series star Jeremy Mayfield, Kevin shaped 2024 up to be another great year. After the second trip to Franklin County however, things took a turn for the worse. Said cancer had spread to Kevin’s brain, bringing along with it a lesion on his spine and neck, requiring additional radiation.
When asked about Kevin, fellow Grand National Super Series drivers had a whole lot to say. Stories, opinions, all of it made its way out. And to say that Kromer is a role model and respected is an astonishing understatement.
“Kevin is a great friend, he is super knowledgeable about racing and you can go to him and ask for help if needed. He’s a stand up guy and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He’s a tough competitor and someone that I’ve learned a lot from over the years and I’ve picked up a lot of advice from driving to maintaining my car. He is someone that is on my list to beat straight up on the track because I wanted to earn it against him, not because one of us had a bad day on the track.” – Lauren Butler
“A determined driver, but above all a respected man that will help anyone without them even asking. Kromer is a friend to all in a garage full of personalities, which speaks volumes.” – Donnie Doster
“Kevin and I have been racing buddies a long time now, he and I are a lot alike in how we run our programs. Kevin is one of the few I trust enough to race side by side at great lengths, we respect one another, he also is one of the few I trust enough to drive my cars as I have put him in ShoTime Rides in the past. I know he loves his family and he loves his hunting and he loves his racing. I’ve said in the past that he’s my hero, I’ve watched him fight the battle of cancer with dignity and amazing strength, I continue to pray for Kevin, Kelly, and the Kromer Family for strength, courage, and understanding as they face the things in front of them. I sure hope to see them back at a race soon.” – ShoTime Mike
That’s just a few of the thoughts surrounding the pit area amongst a collective notion that Kevin is one of the nicest and most honorable guys you’ll meet.
Kevin, from deep down, thank you for everything you’ve done for this sport. Thank you for welcoming a brand new announcer with open arms and an open mind. The amount of determination and perseverance you’ve shown throughout your life is breathtaking. All of our prayers are with you and Kelly. You’ve knocked cancer down once. Now it’s time to give it the final knockout blow. It’s no match for Kevin Kromer.
You don’t quit easy.
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