Kevin Rentzell’s third-place finish in the 1989 Daytona 200 had to be one of the most surprising podium finishes in the history of AMA Superbike racing. Rentzell was a talented rider no doubt. He is perhaps best remembered as a leading endurance racer, but in March of ’89 at Daytona International Speedway ‘Revin Kevin’ turned in the best ride of his career earning an AMA Superbike podium on a privateer Suzuki. Rentzell had just a few AMA Superbike appearances and only one other top-10 result in the series (a sixth at Road Atlanta in 1986) but for one shining Sunday the racer from Chattanooga showed his talent in one of the biggest motorcycle races in the world.
Kevin Rentzell racing his privateer Suzuki to third behind John Ashmead and Jamie James in the 1989 Daytona 200. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Rider Files 
Revvin Kevin is still in Chatanooga, Tennessee. His garage burned down some years ago and Kevin lost everything including his 3rd place trophy from the Daytona 200.
Kevin is a very funny and FUN guy. His parents and brothers were always at the races with Kevin. The family that plays together, stays together.
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Awesome shot!
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Actually Kevin lives in Winchester TN. and has for several years now, about a hour plus drive NW of Chattanooga.Both his mother and father have passed away now and his brother Lindsey is all that is left of his immediate family.
Some know I have helped Kevin over several years and did the team KAYO endurance bikes(GTO and GTU) in ’87 and other stuff over the years. Kevin called me the night before the 200 this year and said he had his Super Sport bike with the head off and wanted to do a few things to it before the 200 the next day as he would be riding it. I gave him some instructions on separating the head gasket to get some compression, where to move his cams to, tire strategy and maybe a gear change. I was very surprised to see he got 3rd the next day. A very good ride by “Revin” Kevin!
Also note that Kevin was and is a nice guy. He always rode his heart out when racing, stayed focused, was never the “party animal” like some but knew how to have a good time no less. His family was always very nice to me and made me feel welcome when present.
Thanks for sharing this photo Larry!
Larry “Motorman” Brown CPR
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I believe his brother Bob raced too,i remember him blowing by our stock FZ 600 on a very hyper FZR 600. Those boys built some fast 600ds!
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Yes Bob raced also.I helped him some but he died @ 1990 or so.He did have some personal problems(don’t we all?) but nice guy no less.Upon his death John Ulrich wrote a shamefull news acticle about his death that had no truth to it just rumors and IMO hurt this family deeply in the time of their grieving.To this dayI will never forgive Ulrich for printing those comments about Bob.
Larry Brown
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Kevin’s dad is very much alive. Robert rarely misses an event at Road Atlanta and is currently riding a yamaha R1! Not to bad for an old guy I must say. Kevin lives in Estill Springs TN and still gives “riding lessons” to some of us on sundays.
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This is one of the best guys I ever met in Road Racing. During my early years of trying to ride a motorcycle for a living, I had the honor of calling Revin Kevin, my very best friend and mentor. He watched over my under funded effort and singled handedly helped me achieve the goal of winning the novice AMAccs Heavyweight Championship in 1988. Unfortunately, or maybe not looking back now, but I watched this amazing race from a window at Halifax Hospital. Kevin and his family, although unique they may have been, was and is some of the Greatest memories in my life… We should all be lucky enough to have gotten to speed time around “Revin Kevin”!
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