 |
 When
Ernie Irvan made his return to big-time stock car racing at North Wilkesboro
last fall, the world watched to see if he would return in the same winning form
he had before his near-fatal accident in a practice session at Michigan the
previous August.
All Ernie did was post the seventh-fastest lap in qualifying, charged to the front of the pack and then finished an amazing sixth in the event. It was a brilliant return to the sport he loves. At Phoenix for his second race, he led more than 100 laps before retiring with engine failure. In the final race of the season at Atlanta, Ernie finished seventh. To finish in the top 10 in two of three starts, and lead two of the three events was like magic to Ernie. He couldn't wait for the 1996 season to begin. He has now returned to the wheel and his goal
is to begin wining races again, and to compete for the Winston Cup Championship. Irvan will be the first to tell you that he wants to win the championship, but he'll also tell you that if he never sits at the head table at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, he is already a winner in the biggest game. Spending time with his family and returning to the wheel of a racecar is something that was nearly taken from him. He wakes up feeling blessed each day. Being a contender for the championship is something Ernie never expected. He began racing in Stockton, California, while still in high school. He eventually moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to be closer to the NASCAR Winston Cup action. He worked odd jobs-including welding seats at Charlotte Motor Speedway and loading and unloading truck and equipment for Ken Schrader while racing at Concord (NC) Motor Speedway in the Late Model class. Winner of the 1991 Daytona 500, the 1992 Sears DieHard 500 and the 1993 Winston Select 500, along with three other Winston Cup races with the #4 Kodak team of Morgan-McClure from 1990 until late 1993, Ernie then joined Robert Yates Racing with nine races left in the '93 season. Ernie and his wife Kim have a daughter, Jordon. Ernie Irvan… The Fans' Favorite for the 1996 Talladega -Texaco Walk of Fame "Active Category" Inductee.
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