Kline makes visit home to see his family

It has been a longtime dream of the men in the Kline family to be part of a NASCAR team. Shane Kline fulfilled that dream in December when he was hired by Wood Brothers and JTG Racing to be part of the No. 21 Craftsman Truck Series team as a tire specialist.

"The dream factor is still there," Kline said from his parents' home Friday. "If the dream was ever accomplished, it was at Bristol Speedway (Tennessee) when I was working with the (Nextel) Cup team."

Kline, who lives in Concord, N.C., said the newness of it all has worn off, but the excitement of going to new racetracks is still there. He is surprised at the amount of turnover in the sport.

"Last year he was taking pictures of all these guys," said Jeff Moses, Kline's brother. "This year he's in the pictures."

Kline and his wife, Penny, had their first child, Kaden, on Feb. 17. Shane was supposed to be on his way to Daytona, but instead was at the hospital with Penny for Kaden's birth.

"His nickname is 'Daytona Kid,'" Shane said.

Sharing their son is only part of the reason Shane and Penny are in Carson City. They are here in support of Shane's father, Robert, who is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer.

In a six-year battle with leukemia, Robert's doctor noticed an enlarged lymph node on the right side of his neck. After undergoing an MRI, PET scan and biopsy, Robert began treatment within days.

"I was OK for quite some time, then the lymphnodes swelled," Robert Kline said. "I've had four weeks of chemo, had two weeks off, and began another 4-week treatment.

"I feel good about it though. I'm going to beat this."

Robert Kline accepts full responsibility for the chance he "did this" to himself.

"I told Carlene, (his wife) I'm the one who smoked, I'm the one who painted cars without a protective mask. It's on me and no one else."

Kline has met other patients going through similar treatment. He has seen changes in them - refusing to be losers in their personal battles with cancer.

"You've changed, too," Moses said. "When you're fighting sometime like this, you realize you're not invincible."

"We're behind him 100 percent," Shane said. "We came here to support him and to let him see his grandson."

Shane said the family is trying to face life as life is given to them - as a day-by-day situation.

"Once the cancer's cured we have a lot to look forward to," Shane said. "There's not much to talk about because we don't know what to talk about yet. He's still trying to beat it and we're positive he will to have more prosperous years.

"When life is in doubt you have to look at it from the other side of the fence and prepare for that as well. I'm feeling pretty positive about it and he's feeling pretty well."

Robert, who was race director at Champion Speedway several years, has received calls from many of the drivers. He said it makes him feel good they call with prayers and support for him.

"Drivers have called to say they didn't like me at the track, but wouldn't wish this (cancer) on anyone," Robert Kline said. "They offer support and that makes me feel real good. It's nice of them to do that."

Robert Kline is taking phone calls from well-wishers at his home - 882-0557. With Robert's illness, he and Carlene have had to cancel a planned trip to the NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway May 27. This leaves Shane holding three extra tickets, on the front stretch of the racetrack.

"I've got three if anybody wants them," Shane said. "Call my cell phone - (704) 652-2991, if you're really interested."

•Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.