Jayski's® Ernie Irvan Site - 2001 - present Past News

	2001 to present Past News Ernie Irvan Announces LAPS Walk 2006 Schedule: On the heels of last August's successful inaugural walkathon event at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), NASCAR racing legend Ernie Irvan and the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) have today announced the 2006 dates for Irvan's LAPS Walk, and have added the Pocono Raceway in Pocono, PA as an additional location. The event, which allows participants to walk the racetrack alongside Irvan and other current and former NASCAR drivers to raise awareness and funding for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) prevention and treatment, will occur on Friday, July 21 at Pocono (after Cup qualifying,) and Wednesday, August 16 at MIS in Brooklyn, MI. Irvan and the BIAA are also working on additional track locations for LAPS Walk and are expected to announce them soon. For a minimum $100 entry fee, anyone is able to participate and walk side-by-side with Irvan, as well as other current and former NASCAR drivers to raise money for TBI education, awareness and prevention. Registration for each event will begin on Friday, April 21, 2006. Interested individuals can register online at www.lapswalk.org. There are only a limited amount of walker positions available for each event and it is expected that registration will fill very quickly. In February of 2004, Irvan formed a non-profit organization called Race2Safety in order to educate the public about TBI and spearhead development of next-generation transportation head protection safety equipment for adults and children. Race2Safety is now a part of the Brain Injury Association of America, providing Ernie with the ability to spread his message across the country.(Marketwire.com)(4-30-2006) Ernie to appear at the Piedmont Racing Expo & Auction: A new addition to the 20th Annual Piedmont Racing Expo & Auction will be the First Annual Oval Track Race Car Show to be held at the NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh NC, Jan. 20-21, 2006. Another first for this event will be the Racing Memorabilia Charity Auction benefiting Ernie Irvan's Race2Safety Head Injury Foundation and the Sam Ard Care Fund. This will mark the 20th year that promoter and auctioneer Phillip Walker of Hillsborough, NC, the "Piedmont's Racing Auctioneer" has conducted this racing event and the first time a race car show has been held in conjunction with the traditional auction and oval track trade show. With the additional space provided by the Exposition Center, Walker added the Oval Track Race Car Show in order to allow racers an opportunity to showcase their race cars, pit crews, and sponsors. Walker states, "We've got several classes for the show including: Asphalt Full Body, Dirt Full Body, 4-Cyl Full Body, Open Wheel (Modifieds), Legends/Legacy, Vintage, Go-Karts, and an Open Class. Additional Awards will be given for Best Engineering, Best Graphics, and Best of Show. Class Winners will receive a 3-foot Trophy and $150 cash prize, while the Best in Show award will carry a $500 cash prize and a 4-foot Trophy!" Walker states that there are still plenty of spots left in the car show. "This is an excellent place for racer's to jump-start the new racing season and pick up their first trophy and prize money for 2006!" The feature events of the Expo are the Piedmont Racer's Auction and the Oval Track Tradeshow. Racers from several states can buy and sell used racing parts, engines, race cars, tow trucks, trailers, and engines. They can also see what's new for 2006 by visiting the Oval Track Tradeshow where vendors will have the latest in racing technology, equipment, and new parts on display. Walker added, "We're also adding a Racing Memorabilia Auction on Friday, January 20, at 5PM. "I'm very pleased to announce that the Racing Memorabilia Charity Auction will be sponsored by 99.9 Genuine Country Radio and all proceeds from this auction will be shared by Ernie Irvan's Race2Safety Head Injury Foundation and the Sam Ard Care Fund. Both of these racers suffered career ending head injuries and we want to draw as much awareness to these causes as possible", Walker stated. He added, "Ernie Irvan will be on hand on Friday to greet fans and sign autographs. We're also working on getting some other notable drivers in to sign autographs. We've already gotten autographed items from Scott Riggs and Richard Childress Racing for the memorabilia charity auction and others are being committed at this time. Walker added that he's still looking for quality memorabilia items for the auction. Anyone wanting to donate items should contact Walker. His contact info is below. Jeanne Barnes (www.jbstudio.com) has agreed to create and send an original of Sam Ard to be auctioned. Walker added, "Jeanne's work includes being contracted by the National Motorsports Press Association to create graphite renderings of each of the respective Halls of Fame as inductees were nominated. As of the year 2004 there are 70 inductees in the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame, housed in the Darlington museum and 108 inductees in the Talladega Superspeedway's International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Jeanne is a personal friend of Sam Ard and we could not be happier with her contribution." Consignments are needed for the auction. Racers are urged to pre-register parts and rolling stock for the auction. Consignments will be accepted at the Exposition Center on the fairgrounds from 10am-8PM on Wednesday, January 18 and from 10AM-8PM on Thursday, January 19. No consignments will be accepted on Friday. Vehicles for the car show should be checked in no later than 12 Noon on Friday, January 20. Pre-registration forms for consignments and for the car show can be obtained at www.phillipwalkerauctions.com, or by contacting Phillip Walker at pwalker@phillipwalkerauctions.com, or phone 919-732-7024. The Expo opens at 1PM on Friday, the Racing Memorabilia Auction will be held at 5pm on Friday, January 20 followed by the parts auction at 6:30 pm, selling lots 1-250. Saturday's Parts Auction starts at 9am and car show awards will be presented at 3 PM. Admission is $10 per day general admission and doors open at 1PM on Friday, January 20, and 8AM on Saturday, January 21. UPDATE: Ernie Irvan will appear at the 20th Annual Piedmont Racing Expo & Auction at the NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh NC, Jan. 20-21, 2006. Irvan will be the special guest at an Autograph Session just prior to the 99.9 Genuine Country Radio Racing Memorabilia Charity Auction. The Memorabilia Auction will feature racing memorabilia from NASCAR Cup drivers including Ernie Irvan, Scott Riggs, Former Earnhardt Gas-Man Chocolate Myers, plus others. One special item in the Memorabilia Auction will be a one of a kind original of Sam Ard by artist Jeanne Barnes. Barnes has an extensive portfolio of racing works including being commissioned by both the UNOCAL and the NMPA to create graphic renderings of each racer in their respective Hall of Fames and Talladega's International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Joining Irvan at the Friday afternoon Autograph Session will be Hooter's Pro-Cup Drivers Jay Fogleman and Kirk Leone. Fogleman and Leone's Pro-Cup race cars will also be on display. The first 99 paid admissions will receive a free tee-shirt from radio station WCMC, 99.9FM, sponsor of the Memorabilia Auction. Proceeds of the Memorabilia Charity Auction will go to Irvan's Race2Safety Head Injury Foundation and the Sam Ard Care Fund. Both Irvan and Ard suffered career ending head injuries racing. Other race cars and go-karts will be on display vying for large trophies and cash among ten classes in the Piedmont Expo Oval Track Race Car Show. Show Promoter and former racer, Phillip Walker announced today that the top award in the race car show will be the TONY HERNDON MEMORIAL BEST OF SHOW AWARD, honoring long time racing crew-chief and car owner, Tony Herndon, of Durham, NC who was killed in February 2004. Walker stated, "My wife and I, along with the core group of racers who help conduct our racing auctions all knew and raced with Tony and we wanted to do something to honor him. We appreciate Tony's family allowing us to name this award after him." The Herndon family plans to be on hand at the show to present the award at 3pm on Saturday, January 20th. The Piedmont Racing Expo will also host its largest ever Oval Track Vendor Tradeshow and Racing Auction, featuring parts, engines, equipment, race-cars, trailers, and tow trucks. Doors open at 1pm on Friday, January 20th, the Autograph Session and Memorabilia Auction will be at 5pm and followed by the racing parts auction at approximately 6:30pm. The Expo will open again at 8am on Saturday, January 21, and the parts auction begins at 9am. Rolling stock (cars, trailers, & towtrucks) will be sold at 2pm and the Car Show awards follow at 3pm. General admission is $10 per day. Terms of the Auction are Cash, Certified Funds, or Mastercard/Visa. A buyer's premium will be charged. More information can be found at Walker's website, www.phillipwalkerauctions.com or by calling 919-732-7024.(1-15-2006) Tenneseean: Preventing injuries Irvan's new passion by Larry Woody.(12-21-2005) Toledo Blade: Irvan swervin' hard toward safety by Matt Markey.(8-18-2005) FoxSports/AP: Ernie Irvan's new challenge is to promote safety.(6-16-2005) Toledo Blade: Irvan, MIS linked: Ex-driver won race, almost lost life at track by Matt Markey.(6-14-2005) Detroit Free Press: Irvan ready for another lap at MIS by George Sipple.(5-19-2005) Irvan tours MIS Renovations: Ernie Irvan doesn't remember the practice accident that nearly took his life back in August of 1994 at Michigan International Speedway. In fact, Irvan doesn't remember the 21 days that followed his turn-two practice crash either. But what sticks out most in Irvan's mind was returning to the track that nearly took his life just three years later and winning the June 1997 Miller 400 at MIS in what turned out to be an emotional day for Irvan and the thousands of race fans on hand that day. "I had no idea I'd be able to race at Michigan again, let along win the race," Irvan said about his emotional June 1997 win. "I had never won at MIS so that made it very special. It was tough to drive with tears in my eyes and I wasn't crying because I was sad." Irvan returned to MIS for the first time on Tuesday since 1999 when another crash in a Busch Series car essentially ended his career, as he announced a new charity event to benefit the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. Irvan was joined by Dr. John Maino (the doctor credited with saving Irvan's life in 1994) and Mike Dabbs, President of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. Irvan's visit to MIS on Tuesday brought back a wide range of emotions as he announced that his Race 2 Safety Foundation will partner with the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIA) for the first annual walk-a-thon entitled the "L.A.P.S. Walk," which stands for Leadership & Awareness to Promote Safety to be held on August 17 at MIS. In addition to announcing the charity walk, Irvan also took a tour of the ongoing renovation project at MIS with track president Brett Shelton to see the progress of the largest renovation project in MIS history. Paving is currently underway in the new AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza, which is a 26-acre area behind the main grandstand that will give MIS a new front door and house a great new area for sponsor displays, merchandise and a great area for fans to relax when they aren't enjoying on-track activity. Progress on the new suite, operations and Champions Club levels are taking shape, with glass currently going up on the new tower structure on all three levels. "The new construction that is happening at MIS is amazing," said Irvan. "I can't believe how much it's grown even since the last time I was here in 1999. MIS has always been a great facility and it's only going to get better for the fans after this is done." Tickets are still available for all June 17-19 activities at MIS, with children 12 and under admitted free to the Friday June 17 ARCA RE/MAX Hantz 200 and the Paramount Health Insurance 200 on Saturday June 18. Tickets are still available for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Batman Begins 400 on Sunday, June 19. All tickets can be purchased now by visiting www.MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS ticket hotline at 1-800-354-1010.(MIS)(5-18-2005) Irvan to be inducted in West Coast HOF: The inductees for the 4th Annual West Coast Stock Car Hall Of Fame induction ceremony July 22, 2005 have been announced by Tim Meyer director of the West Coast Stock Car Hall Of Fame. Fifteen names make up the West Coast Stock Car Hall Of Fame 2005 induction class. Drivers: Allen Adkins, Len Sutton, Sam Hanks, Dick Meyer, and Ernie Irvan. Owners-Mechanics-Manufacturers-Sponsors: Bob Estes, Vel Miletich, Floyd Johnson, Tom Hamilton, Leon Ruther, Richard Elder and James Rush. Promoters-Officials-Media Members-Event/Series Sponsors: Ron Ail, Harry Schilling, and Marion Collins.(West Coast Stock Car Hall Of Fame)(5-13-2005) Irvan at the Track: during the rain delay at Martinsville Speedway qualifying, Speed Channel amd MRN Radio interviewed for Nextel Cup driver, Ernie Irvan, who is at the track promoting Race 2 Safety, which deals with trying to decrease the number of head injuries. For more info, check out the site race2safety.com.(4-8-2005) Brain Injury Walk-a-thon: NASCAR racing legend Ernie Irvan and the Brain Injury Association (BIA) of Michigan announced last night that they will partner for an inaugural walk-a-thon event titled the "L.A.P.S. Walk" which stands for "Leadership & Awareness to Promote Safety." The event will take place at the Michigan International Speedway (MIS) on August 17, 2005. The announcement was made at the BIA's 7th Annual Legacy Dinner. Current NASCAR celebrities like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Bobby Labonte are scheduled to participate in the event. For a minimum $100 entry fee, anyone is able to participate and walk side-by-side with these NASCAR drivers to raise money for brain injury education, awareness and prevention. Registration for the event will begin on April 1st. Interested individuals can submit their e-mail address for official registration notification at Ernie Irvan's web site, race2safety.com or at the BIA's web site at biami.org . There are only 10,000 walker positions available and it is expected that registration will fill very quickly. This is the first year of the event and in 2006 it will expand to include several locations nationwide.(Yahoo Biz)(3-14-2005) Ernie Appearance, Friday, March 11th: Ernie Irvan, who was destined to become one of stock-car racing's all-time legends until two accidents left him with severe head injuries that ended his career, is coming to Syracuse, NY. He'll headline this weekend's 19th Motorsports Expo at the New York State Fairgrounds. Irvan's appearance from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 11th, kicks off the three-day show inside the Cargill Exhibit Center building. Irvan will meet with fans and sign autographs during his stay at the show, which includes a sampling of more than 200 short-track race cars, including a Nextel Cup stock car and a Roger Penske IRL Indy car. Irvan, of Modesto, Calif., saw his rapid four-year rise in NASCAR Cup racing peak in 1991 when he won the Daytona 500 driving a Kodak Film Chevrolet prepared by Tony Glover of the Morgan-McClure team. Irvan scored one other Cup victory that year and ended the season fifth in the point standings. Three years later, a 1994 practice accident at Michigan International Speedway left Irvan with severe head and neck injuries that nearly cost him his life. The injuries also caused him to miss the last third of that season. It turned out to be Irvan's strongest bid to win the NASCAR stock car championship, as he had swapped the points lead all season with eventual champion, Dale Earnhardt. The accident also was a severe test of not only Irvan's resolve to remain in the sport, but of his Havoline Ford team car owner, Robert Yates, and crew chief, Larry McReynolds. The year before, Davey Allison, who had won the 1992 Daytona 500 for Yates and had led the points until that season's final race, had been killed in a helicopter accident mid-way through the 1993 season. Yates had picked Irvan to replace Allison in 1994. When he returned to racing, Irvan proved he had not lost his winning ability. But five years after his 1994 accident, another crash - again at the two-mile Michigan oval but in a Busch Series car - resulted in another injury to his head. Told by his doctors that a third head injury might cost him his life, Irvan gave up race driving. Today, Irvan advocates the use of helmets to prevent head injuries through an awareness program he began called "Race2Safety." Irvan, whose 15 NASCAR Cup stock car victories include the 1991 road race at Watkins Glen International, is being sponsored by Adirondack International Speedway during his Motorsports Expo appearance.(Syracuse.com) AND more info on the location at www.nysfair.org AND MORE Carquest Motorsports Expo at the Cargill Exhibit Center 315-457-0175 Great family fun & entertainment! Come on out & see... NASCAR, DIRT, IHRA & NHRA, independent race tracks, over 200 race cars... modifieds, supers, sprints, Winston Cup & Busch plus... MUCH, much, more!!! Vendors... Get the Latest in apparel, collectables, crafts... Along with ALL the latest racing hardcore items. Stop at your nearest participating Suzuki Motorcycle and ATV Dealer to get your free half-price ticket coupon to the Carquest Motorsports Expo 2005. Admission: $10, adult; $25, 3-day pass; $5, children 6-12; free, children under 6 Hours: Fri, 5pm-10pm; Sat, 11am-9pm; Sun, 11am-5pm, info at gaternews.com/expo.html.(3-9-2005) Irvan column at The Pantagraph: Ex-NASCAR star [Irvan] kept faith by Gail Gaboda.(3-9-2005) Charleston Gazette-Mail: Irvan gives thumbs-up to new format by Tommy R. Atkinson.(12-5-2004) Irvan Gives Talk: Ernie Irvan, owner of Irvan Enterprises in Mooresville, NC, was guest speaker at the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class Graduation on April 22. The former NASCAR driver addressed the 2003-04 adult and junior leadership graduates on the importance of leadership and having a good role model, family support and strong faith in Christ and self. He also told how the late Dale Earnhardt helped him get started in racing and Earnhardt's leadership qualities. Irvan earned 15 NASCAR Winston Cup championships, numerous awards and 22 pole positions. He survived a near-fatal crash at Michigan International Speedway when a right tire deflated, sending his car into the turn two wall at more than 170 mph. He officially retired from driving in 1999 but continues to work and support racing.(Charlotte Observer)(5-3-2004) Ernie Irvan named Grand Marshall for two races: NASCAR Winston Cup racing great, Ernie Irvan will serve as the Grand Marshall for the Garrett & Dyer Ford USCS "Thunder in Carolina" event at Hickory Motor Speedway [Hickory NC] on Friday night April 30th, 2004. The event will feature a full program of racing in the United Sprint Car Series winged outlaw sprint cars of the plus two of Hickory Motor Speedway's most popular divisions, the HMS Super Trucks and the HMS Limited Late Model division. Irvan, a past Daytona 500 Champion, will sign autographs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the track and give rides in the Garrett & Dyer USCS " Thunder in Carolina" pace car. In addition he will also serve as the "Official" starter for the night's main events. AND Irvan will serve as the Grand Marshall for the Explorer Conversions / Shelor Motor Mile100 at Motor Mile Speedway [Radford, VA] on Saturday night May 1st, 2004. The event will feature the first ever visit to the high banked surface of the 4/10 mile speed plant by the exotic, 700 horsepower, ground pounding USCS Outlaw Thunder" Tour winged sprint cars. Irvan will sign autographs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the track. In addition he will also serve as the "Official" starter for the night's USCS main event and AFR Dash races. For ticket info and Motor Mile Speedway info call 540-639-1700 or visit www.motormilespeedway.com. More info on these events are available at www.uscsracing.com and info on Ernie Irvan is available at www.irvan.com.(4-14-2004) Good Ernie Article from the Greenville News and writer Mike Hembree: It has been almost a decade since Ernie Irvan sailed at near-full speed into a concrete wall at Michigan International Speedway and came within inches and minutes of losing his life. Much has changed over the past 10 years. Irvan made a miraculous recovery from the Aug. 20, 1994 crash, returned to NASCAR, won races (including one at the track that almost killed him), had another big crash and retired from driving. Because of safety improvements — almost all sparked by the deaths of Kenny Irwin, Adam Petty and Dale Earnhardt in crashes similar to Irvan's, the racing environment is quite different from that in which Irvan reached superstar status. Irvan, now 45, bears the scars of the pain and suffering auto racing has thrown at him, but he rolls on at the fringes of the sport, keeping his hands on the wheel if not his foot on the accelerator. Irvan is a minority owner of the United Sprint Car Series, a growing Fayetteville, Ga.-based organization that runs winged sprint car races on dirt and asphalt. He was brought into the group by founder Pete Walton in January, giving USCS a nationally known racing celebrity as a spokesman as it tries to build its fan and sponsor base. Irvan also has been attempting to jump-start the career of young driver Kevin Conway, is involved in quarter-midget racing with son Jared, 6, and is a partner in a land-development project near Concord, NC. "I love to stay involved in racing," Irvan said Wednesday at Riverside Speedway, where the USCS cars are scheduled to race tonight. "It's really the only thing I know. I want to keep doing other things in racing. I'd like to be a mentor to an up-and-coming driver, kind of like Buddy Baker has done with Ryan Newman and Brendan Gaughan. There are lots of opportunities out there." Irvan said the profile of open-wheel racing has been enhanced with the Nextel Cup success of former open-wheel drivers Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman. "These cars have a lot of power and a lot of downforce," he said. "What they're all about is car control. If you can run sideways and be able to have control of the car, you can do well. Being able to 'feel' the car and tell what it's going to take to go faster — that's what's important." A year after being named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers, Irvan finally convinced himself in September 1999 that his driving days were over. In an emotional press conference at Darlington Raceway, he told the sport good-bye. "I miss it," he said. "There's no way I can't miss it, but no matter what happens I can't do it, so it doesn't do me any good to complain about it and miss it because I can't really do it. I just know I am very fortunate to still be here and be a part of racing and be a part of my family." from the Greenville News.(4-2-2004) Irvan Grand Marshal: Retired NASCAR driver Ernie Irvan will be available for autographs Saturday at I-20 Speedway in Batesburg, SC [803-657-6383] from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Irvan will be the grand marshal for the USCS winged outlaw sprint car event.(The State) AND Irvan has recently become affiliated with the United Sprint Car Series owned and directed by Pete Walton of Fayetteville, GA. Irvan will have an ownership interest in the series and will assist in promoting USCS events. The USCS recently acquired the assets of the American Outlaw Action Series previously owned and directed by Bob Wood. Irvan is expected to play a large part in helping to grow the series.(Irvan.com)(4-2-2004) What is Ernie up to? Well, Ernie is in Daytona, acting as a driving coach to Boris Said, who is running in the 2004 Budweiser Shootout; and for Kevin Conway, who is running in the Busch Series. Also hearing that Ernie will appear on Speed Channel's Wind Tunnel in the near future.(2-7-2004) Irvan in sprint cars: Former NASCAR driver Ernie Irvan has taken an ownership position with the United Sprint Car Series, which was founded by ex-sprinter Pete Walton. Walton said that he and Irvan have taken over the North Carolina-based American Outlaw Action Series. "The two series will immediately merge our management teams and our efforts to continue the growth of sprint car racing for drivers and teams based in the southeastern United States," Walton said, adding that Irvan will concentrate on marketing efforts on behalf of the series.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(2-4-2004) Nadeau Back Racing this Sat - in a Kart UPDATE teaming with Ernie: Jerry Nadeau will be back behind the wheel in a race Saturday, but not in a 3,500-pound stock car. Nadeau, a NASCAR Winston Cup driver, will be racing a 175-pound kart at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. For Nadeau, who was critically injured in May during practice at Richmond, Va., it's an important step in his comeback. Only a few months ago, he could barely walk, still had difficulty talking and was happy to be alive. "I used to be the wildest guy on the go-kart track," said Nadeau, 33. "But when I recently got into a kart, I was so afraid somebody would hit me. I was scared stiff of getting whacked." Nadeau, a former World Karting Association champion, had every reason to be nervous. He had spent two weeks in a coma after his huge wreck, suffering a closed-head injury, not to mention a partially collapsed left lung, fractured shoulder blade and busted rib cage. In the hours after the crash, Nadeau was touch and go. "I've been battling pretty hard since the accident," said Nadeau, who drove the No. 01 U.S. Army Pontiac for MB2 Motorsports. "Thank God I've been able to do stuff with my young daughter, Natalie Kate, and my wife, Jada. You just can't put a Band-Aid over this thing and go back. It takes time to heal." Nadeau has no intention of climbing back into a race car until he's good and ready. Veteran Joe Nemechek will drive Nadeau's Pontiac in the last two races of the season, including Sunday at Rockingham, N.C., and is contracted to run a full season in the Army entry next year. If Nadeau feels comfortable, he might - and he stresses might - drive in an ARCA or Busch Grand National race around April or May.(Full story at Mercury News via Detroit Free Press)(11-7-2003) UPDATE: The 33-year-old Winston Cup driver will compete in a 3-hour, go-kart endurance event at Lowe's Motor Speedway outside Charlotte. Nadeau will participate as part of a three-man team that also includes his father Gerard and Ernie Irvan, another former driver whose NASCAR career was interrupted by a head injury. Nadeau suffered a moderate to severe head injury when his Pontiac crashed during practice on May 2. While he has driven Legends cars on a track with other drivers, today's go-kart event will be his first real race of any type since the accident. "It's very encouraging that he's able to do this," Jay Frye, general manager of Nadeau's MB2 Motorsports Winston Cup team, said Friday at North Carolina Speedway. "It's competition, so that's good. It will test his stamina, so that's good. He's very excited about it, so that's good. You could see a little hop in his step this week."(Charleston Post and Courier)(11-8-2003) Irvan back at Talladega: Former NASCAR great Ernie Irvan will be at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend to coach road racing specialist Boris Said in his superspeedway debut. Said will compete in Saturday's Food World 300 ARCA race as a means of gaining NASCAR's superspeedway approval that will allow him to drive in the 2004 Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. He earned his berth in the Bud Shootout - a special race for the previous season's pole winners - when he captured the pole as the hired gun driver for the U.S. Army/MB2 Motorsports team at the June Winston Cup road race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Said's ride in the ARCA race will be a joint effort between MB2 Motorsports and Ken Schrader Racing. He will drive the Ken Schrader-owned USG Sheetrock Brand #99 Pontiac. Irvan, who retired as a Winston Cup driver due to injuries with 13 races remaining in the 1999 season, joined Said in Talladega at a recent test session. "No doubt, Boris will be able to handle this," said Irvan, whose career record at Talladega includes two wins and five poles. "He did a good job at the test session. He knows how to go fast but I did tell him it doesn't matter how fast you go,“ the most important thing is to get approved for Daytona. I explained to him that he can't get over-anxious and try to set the world on fire. It's all about getting approved for Daytona. Sometimes patience is the hardest thing to learn and the easiest thing to forget." Said, who raced for Irvan in the Craftsman Truck Series in 1997 and 1998 and also for two Winston Cup races in 1999 -- Watkins Glen and Homestead said he feels fortunate to have Irvan as a coach. "Ernie and I have built a solid relationship over the years," offered Said. "He gave me sound advice at the test session and I am sure counting on him for this weekend. This is not going to be easy as I've never drafted before or driven in a restrictor plate race. I am also thankful to Ken Schrader for his help and to USG Sheetrock brand for its sponsorship support. Dale Jr. has also offered advice and that's really cool since he's been the dominant driver recently at Talladega. I really want the shot at driving in the Bud Shootout in Daytona. That would be a dream come true. To be truthful, winning the pole in Sonoma still hasn't sunk in." While his main focus will be on how well Said adapts to the 2.66-mile oval, Irvan said he is also looking forward to meeting old friends and getting back into the racing mix. "When I was at the test session with Boris it was like a homecoming for me," said Irvan, whose Winston Cup career record includes 15 wins and 22 poles. "I not only got to mingle with security and medical people who I got to know through my accidents, but the laid-back atmosphere of a test session also enabled me to talk to crew members on this team and other teams. It was sure fun to rekindle some of my old relationships. If time permits, I hope to do more of the same.during.race weekend," he added.(DMF PR)(9-23-2003) Ernie at Duke: Ernie Irvan will speak at noon as part of "Youth Day" prior to Duke's 2 p.m. kickoff against Northwestern on Saturday, Sept 20th. Gates open at 11 a.m. ( Herald-Sun)(9-19-2003) Fannie Battle Day Home Auction/Ernie Irvan Autographed Lithograph Auction Ends: September 22, 2003 NASCAR Fans, here's your opportunity to pick up a great item from a NASCAR legend as well as two "young guns" Ernie Irvin autographed lithograph “Behind Every Cloud”, painted by Jeanne Barnes (www.jbstudio.com). Donated by Ernie Irvan - www.irvan.com Also included are a Casey Mears autographed photo, and Jamie McMurray autographed photo, donated by Chip Ganassi Racing www.chipganassiracing.com The winner will be contacted as soon as possible after the auction ends. Remember to BID HIGH - all your money is going to charity! Thanks for supporting the Fannie Battle Day Home and Nashville’s children! You can find out more about the Fannie Battle Day Home at www.fanniebattle.org Plus Davey Allison, Jamie McMurray, Sterling MArlin and Casey Mears items See the Auctions at eBay NASCAR retirees Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker, Harry Gant and Ernie Irvan are scheduled to run a 20-lap "legends" match race in late-model stock cars Aug. 5 at Wisconsin International Raceway . Their event is set as a warm-up for the NASCAR Midwest Series Oneida Bingo & Casino 300 that night at the half-mile track in Kaukauna. The drivers also are scheduled to participate in autograph sessions from 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and 1:30-3 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Green Bay casino. Ernie Irvan at Hickory Motor Speedway: On Thursday night July 17th, Winston Cup racing great Ernie Irvan and Garrett Dyer Ford of Hickory are bringing the USCS "Thunder in Carolina" to Hickory Motor Speedway for the first time ever. The special weekday evening show will serve as leg one of a three race swing for the 700 Horsepower winged Outlaw style sprint cars that will continue on to Ace Speedway on Friday and Southern National Speedway on Saturday. "The greatest spectacle in short track racing" as USCS founder Pete Walton has dubbed the United Sprint Car Series "Asphalt Thunder" tour will be joined at Hickory by the HMS Super Truck and Mini Stock divisions. Ernie Irvan will serve as the events Grand Marshall and will meet and greet fans from 6:30 to 7:30pm.(Hickory Motor Speedway site)(7-17-2003) Catchfence Column: Up Close and Personal: Kevin Conway Chasing His Dream by Marty Tyler NASCAR.com: Countdown to the Daytona 500 - 1991: Go get 'em, Ern by Mark Aumann(2-4-2003) Ernie overseas: Ernie Irvan joins Brendan Gaughan, Rick Crawford, Dan Green, David Starr, Mike Wallace, Chad Little, Richard Childress, Sam Belnavis, Logan McCabe and Ashton Lewis on a tour to visit American troops stationed overseas this week [Jan 27]. The group will start its tour at Ramstein Air Base and move on to visit U.S. bases in Bosnia, Italy and England.(1-29-2003) Conway and Innovative, Irvan to assist: Kevin Conway will drive the Innovative Motorsports #48B BGN Chevy on January 23rd and 24th in preparation for the Koolerz 300 at Daytona Intl Speedway. Shane Hmiel will also be testing the #48A Dark Dog Energy Drink Chevy this week. "Innovative Motorsports is a great organization and I hope to add valuable information to benefit the team effort in preparation for next months race," added Conway. In 2002 Conway drove in a combined effort for Ernie Irvan Racing and Innovative Motorsports in two ARCA races at Atlanta and Charlotte. For 2003, the twenty-four year old Conway hopes to contend for "Rookie of the Year" while running a full BGN schedule with Innovative Motorsports. "Right now we are in discussions with several potential sponsors and I am optimistic that we will be able to make an announcement in the very near future, hopefully at Daytona," said Conway. Conway has an extensive background in racing. He has competed in the Legends Series, NASCAR Late-Models, ASA, and ARCA series. He has worked for over three years as a driving instructor for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. For the past year, Conway has tested extensively for NASCAR Winston Cup teams MBV/MB2 #10 and #36. Legendary NASCAR driver Ernie Irvan will be assisting Conway with his efforts this year. "I have been involved with Kevin for the past couple of years, and have really enjoyed working with him. I know one thing for sure, he has a great deal of talent and he has what it takes to be a great driver. He is the complete package for a sponsor," says Irvan.(1-22-2003) Irvan BGN/ARCA team: Retired Winston Cup driver Ernie Irvan will field cars for rookie Kevin Conway in 15 NASCAR Busch Series races and select speedway races in the ARCA RE/MAX Series where Conway first drove for Irvan last season. An announcement will be made at Daytona giving more details about the partnership. In his first and only ARCA RE/MAX Series start to date, Conway qualified Irvan's Chevrolet in the 5th position at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2002. The rookie was in contention for the win when a flat tire put him down the order to a 13th place finish.(StockCarScene.com)(1-7-2003) What is Ernie Up to? Q:) Larry, what is Ernie Irvan doing since he quit racing? Do you see him very often? I think he would be a great "hot seat" guest on SPEED's Inside Winston Cup with Michael Waltrip, Ken Schrader, Johnny Benson & Allen Bestwick. What do you think? I loved Ernie as a driver but have not heard anything about him in a long time. A:) Larry McReynolds: He's still around. Irvan was very smart. After his first wreck in 1994, he did a really good job of investing his money in the right places, and he did a lot of land development. He's been able to maintain a good standard of living with the investments that he made. In October, I went out and helped Irvan a little bit at Charlotte as he helped ARCA driver Kevin Conway. But the biggest thing that Irvan has become involved in is showing horses. Ernie's wife, Kim, and daughter, Jordan, show horses so I really think he's been enjoying traveling around with them. He has a beautiful barn on his farm and has a lot of Pacifino horses that they've been showing. And I'll drop a note in the suggestion box about getting him on Inside Winston Cup because I think he would be great with Schrader, Michael, Benson and Allen Bestwick.(Larry McReynolds/FoxSports)(12-17-2002) Irvan the land owner: NASCAR legend Ernie Irvan could soon see high priced homes go up on his 60-acre tract of land off Odell School Road [North Carloina]. County commissioners Monday unanimously approved a new gated subdivision with combined prices for lots and houses estimated at upwards of $600,000. Each home will sit on an average of three acres with 20 homes planned for the entire neighborhood, developers said. Irvan Enterprises and Charlotte developers Simonini Builders will likely partner on the new subdivision, Alan Simonini, said Monday. The Planning and Zoning Department recommended the zoning request be approved, but cited school overcrowding as a possible hindrance to moving forward with the development,said Kelly Sifford of the Cabarrus County Planning and Zoning Department. To compensate, the builders have agreed to provide $500 per lot to “advance school adequacy.” According to a letter sent to Sifford last month, the builders anticipate that most of the residents will “send their children to private schools...” as the development will be close to Cannon School. Simonini Builders have built homes in neighborhoods such as The Peninsula on Lake Norman and Ballyntyne in Charlotte.(Independent Tribune)(10-22-2002) Daytona Beach News Journal: Ernie Irvan still has the itch, but that's it(8-22-2002) Kansas City Star: Michigan track holds both bad and good memories for Irvan by Joe Pedley(8-16-2002) Augusta Chronicle: Michigan track reminds Irvan of triumph, tragedy by Don Coble(8-16-2002) Ford Racing: Irvan Remembers MIS Tragedy, Win(8-15-2002) Ernie Comments on #28 mess: Ernie Irvan who once drove the #28 car, has some bittersweet memories of the victories and defeats. The most bitter defeat was probably in 1997 when car owner Robert Yates decided to swap Irvan for a younger driver, Kenny Irwin. That decision came a few days after Irvan won at Michigan, his last tour victory, as it turned out. "I haven't stayed up on all the stuff, " Irvan said of the debate between Rudd and Yates, "and there are two sides to the story. But Robert Yates came to me before that race at Michigan and told me he was going to re-sign me. Then I won the race at Michigan. But the next thing I knew I got a call from Robert saying it was the worst thing he had to do but he had to fire me. But there are two sides to that story. As far as Ricky's deal, I don't know all the pieces of the puzzle. You talk to the guys on the crew and they say one thing. And you talk to Robert and he tells me one thing. And you talk to Ricky and he tells me one thing. So there is no way to evaluate exactly what the problem is. But Robert - and not putting the blame on him - has taken a very successful race team and split it up."(Winston Salem Journal)(8-11-2002) Syracuse Post-Standard: Irvan aims to stay in touch with sport by Nolan Weidner: Irvan said his real desire is to return to racing as a car or team owner. He said he's working to put together a Busch Series team for Conway for 2003, if he can secure the sponsorship. (8-9-2002) Ernie Grand Marshal at the Glen: Watkins Glen International President Craig Rust announced that Ernie Irvan will serve as special guest of the track and Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series race August 8-11. Irvan, winner of the 1991 Winston Cup and 1992 Busch Series races at The Glen, will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of his consecutive wins by proclaiming, "Drivers, start your engines," to this year's NASCAR Winston Cup field on August 11. "Ernie Irvan has left his mark on the sport of NASCAR and in the record books at Watkins Glen," said Rust. "We are pleased to welcome him back to The Glen, the site of his last NASCAR Winston Cup race, as well as the place where he won two NASCAR races in 1991 and 1992." Irvan is currently making his return to racing, this time as a team owner. Driver Kevin Conway drives Irvan's ARCA car in selected ARCA RE/MAX Series events. The team is currently operating out of a portion of Irvan's stables that has been converted into a race shop. "I'm really happy about the opportunity to serve as the Grand Marshal for the Winston Cup race in August at Watkins Glen International," Irvan said. "I won this race back in 1991 and I've always really enjoyed racing at The Glen." At The Glen, Irvan started in 15 races, and in addition to the 1991 Winston Cup win, won a Busch Grand National Race in 1992 and finished second and third in 1994 and 1992 respectively in the Winston Cup events. Irvan, who raced for 15 overall Winston Cup victories, retired in 1999 after his second near fatal accident at Michigan International Speedway. His last career Winston Cup start came at Watkins Glen. He has tallied 22 career NASCAR Winston Cup pole positions, 68 Top-5 finishes and 124 Top-10 finishes and over $11 million in career earnings.(Watkins Glen International PR)(4-4-2002) Ernie Irvan Diecast: The Ernie Irvan Site is now taking pre-orders on the Morgan-McClure #4 Kodak sponsored Chevrolet driven by Irvan from 1990 to 1993. The diecast series is in honor of Irvan's Cup career and started with the #56 cars Irvan first drove in 1987(EI Site) see the images of the diecast below(8-16-2000) Ernie's Trophies were replaced UPDATE 2: meant that Sears Point replaced the trophies for Ernie Irvan's wins there(6-28-2000) UPDATE: NASCAR and the race tracks cooperated in reproducing the 15 race victory trophies Ernie Irvan lost in a house fire in March. The new, full-size copies were presented to Irvan in a small ceremony Thursday at Daytona(SpeedVision)(6-29-2000) UPDATE 2: in part from NOL - Ernie Irvan was brought to tears Thursday when a group including representatives from NASCAR, the two race teams that he scored his 15 NASCAR Winston Cup race victories for and UPS, the "Official Delivery Service of NASCAR," presented him with exact replicas of his winning trophies and 24-inch x 30-inch matted color photographs depicting each race.(6-30-2000) MB2 News: Also hopeful is MB2 Motorsports, with driver Kenny Schrader replacing the retired Ernie Irvan, a bitter sweet situation for Schrader. "I would almost not want to drive this car if it meant Ernie would still be driving," he said, in reference to the life-threatening crash that convinced Irvan to hang up his helmet midway through the 1999 season. The team keeps its Hendrick-supplied engines, as well as M&Ms sponsorship; M&Ms took this opportunity to announce that it is now the official chocolate of NASCAR. "We have three of the biggest NASCAR fans on our car every weekend," said M&Ms executive Tim Quinn, "the M&Ms characters. Red, Yellow and Blue love being a part of NASCAR."(1-14-2000) Salute to Racing is pleased to announce 1991 Daytona champion Ernie Irvan will be the special guest at Sarasota Ford’s Salute To Racing 2003. Ernie will sign autographs, participate in the Bradenton Lawn & Fun Celebrity Go-Kart Challenge, and be the guest of honor at the March of Dimes’ Second Annual Checkered Flag Dinner, sponsored by T & W Trailers on January 18-19th, 2003. More info at www.salutetoracing.com. Checkered Flag Dinner: Saturday, January 18, 2003 At Ramada Inn, 8440 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota, FL (941) 355-7771 Cocktails: 7:00 pm Dinner: 8:00 pm Auction: 9:00 Tickets: $65.00 Checkered Flag Table: $90.00 Sit with Ernie Irvan (limited to 8 guests.) Corporate Table of 8: $450.00 The Leader: Irvan’s all right now: NASCAR legend back at the Glen by Derrick Ek. Some notes: Irvan said, “I really enjoy being up here. It’s a beautiful part of the country, and obviously, being back here as a grand marshal is great,” Irvan said. “I’m not a race car driver anymore, but it’s great to be remembered.” He’s being modest, of course. It’s a safe bet that even casual fans remember Irvan – probably quite well, in fact. Notorious for driving with a rare combination of skill and reckless abandon, Irvan racked up 15 Winston Cup victories – including the ’91 Daytona 500 – and $11 million in career earnings in a career that spanned a dozen years. During that 1991 season, he also won the Winston Cup race at The Glen – and his return as WGI’s guest of honor marks the 10-year anniversary of that weekend. Irvan also won a BGN race at The Glen the following year. In between, one of racing’s most tragic and inspirational tales unfolded. He crashed so badly during a practice session at Michigan International Speedway in 1994 that doctors gave him a 10 percent chance of living through the night. He remembers playing the board game Monopoly the night before the crash, and remembers waking up 21 days later. That’s all he remembers, thankfully. Amazingly, 14 months later, he was back behind the wheel. He won three more Winston Cup races. The third – the Miller 400, in June of ’97 – came at Michigan, the same track that nearly took his life. He raced until 1999, when another crash – ironically, also during a practice run at Michigan five years to the day of the first – caused him to rethink his priorities. He decided to hang it up roughly a month later. “Obviously, if I was smart, I would have retired after the first accident, because most of the time you never get a second chance. And I ended up getting into a second accident, but I won three more races after that first one. After the second crash, the doctors told me, ’Hey, we don’t know how many times you can take this. You already proved us wrong once.’ I just said, ‘I’m tired of waking up in the hospital and wondering how I got there.’” The story has been well-documented. Irvan penned a book, and there are rumors that a movie is in the works. Now, he’s living in the Carolinas, with his wife Kim, nine-year-old daughter Jordan, and four-year-old son Jared. He rides horses, invests in real estate. And he doesn’t seem to regret the day he left NASCAR, the day he stopped driving a vehicle at dangerously high speeds to earn a living. “I have family. I have kids that rely on me,” Irvan said. “My daughter relies on me to take her to school every day. My son is going to rely on me to help him grow up. If I’m not there, there how much can I influence their lives? So, I feel like the smartest thing I could have done is retire. Because I want to be there when my daughter graduates high school, so I can make sure I can punch the first guy that tries to date her.” Irvan admits that, occasionally, he misses his former occupation. “I get the itch every day,” he said. “The competitiveness is still there.” He also admits that if he were a single man, a younger man, his decision to retire would have been far more difficult. But he still feels lingering effects from his injuries, and it’s a constant reminder. “My short term memory is pretty much gone, I can find out your name, and 10 seconds later, I don’t know it anymore,” Irvan said. “Most of my long-term memory is still there. I remember most of the things that happened. I remember the race at Watkins Glen, and being able to win that race. I don’t really remember all the details, though, but when it’s presented to me, then I start to recall more of it.” Irvan has seen other drivers suffer horrific crashes, and a few weren’t as lucky as he was. Now, he stays on the fringes. “I don’t want to give anybody advice, unless they ask for advice,” Irvan said. “I’m the black sheep in everybody’s eyes, because I’m reality. None of the other drivers want to face that reality.” Irvan understands that, maybe more than anybody, but it hasn’t diminished his love of the sport. “My son may be the next Jeff Gordon. I don’t know, he’s only 4 years old, but I’m going to give him the opportunity to do that if he wants to. I lot of people ask me if I would want my son to follow in my footsteps. Well, there’s no dad that wouldn’t like that.”(8-10-2002) Ernie in Portland and a good story that updates Ernie's plans: This weekend [July 12-14th - Ernie will be there Saturday, no times listed] Ernie Irvan, the 1991 Daytona 500 champion, will sign autographs and drive laps around Portland International Raceway as part of the Portland Historic Races. Ernie's famed 1993 Chevy Lumina #4 Kodak car will be at the event, along with two dozen other famous stock cars raced in the early 1990s, including Jeff Gordon's 1993 Chevy Lumina #24 Dupont Rainbow Warrior car, and Richard Petty's 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix #43 STP. Presented by Marathon Coach Co., these cars will be raced as a special feature group, and many will be available for hot lap rides as a charity fundraiser for the Children's Cancer Association. Ernie hopes to field a NASCAR entry soon for an up-and-coming driver he's mentoring. See the full story at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: In the Fast Lane: Since last Northwest visit, Irvan has felt gamut of emotions.(7-12-2002) Fan Forum with Ernie Irvan: Have you always wanted to find out what it's like to race at Watkins Glen International or what it takes to actually win a race at The Glen? On August 8th, The Glen is providing fans with a way to get those answers from one of NASCAR's greatest drivers. Ernie Irvan, the Grand Marshal for the Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen NASCAR Winston Cup race, will be holding a fan forum on Thursday, August 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Corning Museum of Glass Auditorium. Fans must have a Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen race ticket to gain admittance into the fan forum, which is scheduled to last one hour. Fans will be seated on a first-come, first-serve basis, with limited seating available. The Corning Museum of Glass galleries, hot glass show, and Innovation Center will be available before the fan forum. Guests may visit the Museum's Admission Lobby to purchase a day pass. Access to the GlassMarket, a suite of seven shops that reflect the Museum experience, is free. At The Glen, Irvan started in 15 races, and in addition to the 1991 Winston Cup win, won a Busch Grand National Race in 1992 and finished second and third in 1994 and 1992 respectively in the Winston Cup events. Irvan, who raced for 15 overall Winston Cup victories, retired in 1999 after his second near fatal accident at Michigan International Speedway. His last career Winston Cup start came at Watkins Glen. He has tallied 22 career NASCAR Winston Cup pole positions, 68 Top-5 finishes and 124 Top-10 finishes and over $11 million in career earnings. Home to the world's most celebrated collection of glass, The Corning Museum of Glass also presents live hot glassblowing demonstrations all day, every day. The shows, which culminate every day with the Late Show at 5:45 p.m. where one lucky member of the audience wins a piece of glass created at a previous day's show, are narrated, freeform, and fun. Guests can watch glass being made and then make it themselves at the Walk-in Workshop. The Corning Museum of Glass is currently featuring Glass Behind the Iron Curtain: Czech Design, 1948-1978. The powerful exhibition, which celebrates an unbreakable spirit, presents over 100 glass objects and design drawings belonging to The Corning Museum of Glass. The Museum is open everyday through Labor Day until 8:00 p.m. Other events planned for the day include the traditional Race Fever night, held on Market Street in Corning, which includes show cars on display, music and plenty of vendors. The 2002 Winston Cup Series takes over The Glen August 8-11 during the Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen weekend, featuring premier drivers such as four-time winner and defending champion Jeff Gordon. The excitement starts Friday with the Bully Hill Vineyards 250 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and is followed by the "Little Trees" 150 presented by Pepsi NASCAR Busch North Series on Saturday. Tickets for the 2002 season at Watkins Glen, including the Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen, August 8-11, are still available. For tickets, reserved camping, and additional information, please contact the Watkins Glen ticket office at 607-535-2481 or log on to the official Watkins Glen Web site at www.theglen.com. For the finest Watkins Glen International items and apparel, motorsports collectibles, and authentic NASCAR merchandise, diecasts and clothing, stop by The Shop at 2 North Franklin Street in Watkins Glen or call 607-535-2338.(Watkins Glen International)(7-9-2002) Lake Speed to Team Up With Ernie Irvan UPDATE: Former Winston Cup winner and international karting champion [and Cup driver] Lake Speed has confirmed his participation teaming with another former Winston Cup champion, Ernie Irvan, in the Endurance Karting Charlotte 400, 8-hour race Saturday, April 20, at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Speed's karting career began in his home state of Mississippi, and soon the young driver was winning national events all over the country, resulting in six U.S. Karting National Championships in single and twin-engine competition. Speed graduated to the international scene representing the USA across Europe and regularly competed with many drivers who became better known in full-size international motorsports like Grand Prix Formula One and World Sportscar racing. Speed was the first American to triumph in the World Championship of Karting at LeMans, France, in 1978. Speed won the championship over no less than future Formula One Champion, Ayrton Senna, who finished second. Speed began a career in Winston Cup in 1980 and in 19 years started 402 races resulting in a win at Darlington in 1988, and no less than 16 top fives and 75 top ten finishes. Irvan's team is showing tremendous depth with the two former Winston Cup winners joined by Irvan's ARCA protégé and veteran of ASA and Legends Car competition, Kevin Conway and an unknown, but rumored to be exceedingly fast young driver by the name of Tom.(Endurancekarting.com)(4-17-2002) UPDATE: One of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers of All-Time, Ernie Irvan, and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Lake Speed have joined together with two up and coming drivers, Kevin Conway and Neal Lewis for the Charlotte 400 Endurance Karting event on Saturday, April 20th. Irvan, a 15-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series winner started his career by racing karts throughout southern California. That foundation launched the career of one of the most popular and successful drivers in the history of NASCAR. “It really is a lot of fun to be able to go back to the roots of my career and do something like this,” said Irvan. Speed was the first American to triumph in the World Championship of Karting at LeMans, France, in 1978. Speed won the championship over no less than future Formula One Champion, Ayrton Senna, who finished second. Speed began a career in Winston Cup in 1980 and in 19 years started 402 races resulting in a win at Darlington in 1988, and no less than 16 top fives and 75 top ten finishes. Irvan’s protégé and driver for his newly formed ARCA ReMax Series team Kevin Conway will be competing on the same team with Irvan and Speed. “It is funny to think that I was born the same year that Ernie won his first track championship and Lake won the World Championship in 1978,” stated Kevin. Conway, a Lynchburg, Virginia native, began racing at an early age and has competed in AMA Motocross, WKA go-karts, NMMA midgets, Legends Cars, NASCAR Late Models, ASA, and the ARCA ReMax Series. For more information on Endurance Karting events, please log onto www.endurancekarting.com.(Ernie Irvan Racing PR)(4-18-2002) Conway finishes 13th at Atlanta: in the closest finish ever recorded in 50 years of ARCA RE/MAX Series competition Damon Lusk, with heavy raindrops pelting the Atlanta Motor Speedway, edged out rookie Chad Blount at the final stripe by .001 seconds to win the Pork The Other White Meat 400. The margin of victory was as close as today’s high-tech transponders can measure. Ernie's team with driver Kevin Conway finished 13th, 2 laps down.(ARCA Racing site)(3-12-2002) Conway 4th fastest: Kevin Conway was 4th fastest in ARCA practice at Atlanta with a speed of 183.436mph. Jason Jarrett was the fastest at 185.772.(ESPN RPM 2 Night)(3-8-2002) Irvan returns to racing...as an owner: Is it the #18? The #30? The #68? What about the #17! Former Winston Cup driver and NASCAR 50 Best driver, Ernie Irvan had originally requested the # 18 since that was the number of the ARCA car which he drove in 1991 when he competed in an ARCA car in Atlanta. Unfortunately, the # 18 was already assigned to someone who plans to run the full schedule this year. So, ARCA assigned the #68 to Ernie Irvan Racing. But at Atlanta, EIR driver, Kevin Conway will be racing the #17 Eagle One Chevy. This is because Ernie Irvan Racing is a new team and has no provisionals. The team is not concerned about making the race on speed. However, if qualifying is rained out and ARCA sets the field based on car owner points from last year, the team wouldn't make it. So, they have arranged with A. J. Hendrickson Motorsports (the #17) to use their number for the race. They are 21 in owner points. The Atlanta ARCA race will run on Saturday, March 9th and is scheduled to be broadcast on Speed Channel, Monday, March 11th, at 8:00pm/et (after Inside Winston Cup). EIR will run the #68 in future ARCA races. Irvan was on John Boy and Billy Show (radio) Wedneday talking about the Sponsorship.(Irvan.com)(3-7-2002) Ernie to field ARCA team: Ernie Irvan has converted part of a storage shed on his 160-acre farm near Mooresville, N.C., into a garage bay and is helping Kevin Conway prepare a Chevy that Conway plans to run in an ARCA race on March 9. Irvan, 43, tried to work with Conway, 23, to find sponsorship for a foray into the BGN or CTS last year. The difficult economy made it tough to find somebody willing to put up $2 million or more needed for that, though. At the same time, Irvan was rebuilding his family’s home that was severely damaged by a fire in March 2000. The Irvans moved back into the house just before Christmas. With that behind him, Irvan decided that he and Conway needed to get on the track to try to show people the young driver’s talent. The Atlanta ARCA race is the only one they know for sure they’ll go to, but if a sponsor materializes they have plans to run at Kentucky Speedway and at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte later in the year. They’ll use a Chevy they got from Innovative Motorsports in which Shane Hmiel finished second in an ARCA race at Atlanta last fall. Crew members from various Winston Cup and Grand National teams are coming by Irvan’s farm after work in the evenings to help get the car ready, and Irvan said he will enlist Winston Cup crewmen to help pit the car in Atlanta in March. “It’s the safest thing I can do in racing and still be married,” joked Irvan, who retired from driving in 1999 only after coming all the way back from his near-fatal crash at Michigan in 1994 to win three more Cup races. Conway is from Lynchburg, VA, but moved to the Charlotte area in 1991 to pursue a racing career. He’s raced Legends cars and competed in the ASA until his sponsorship there dried up. He’s an instructor at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Atlanta track and at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. He has a degree in marketing from UNCC. Irvan ran only one ARCA race in his career. It was at Atlanta and Irvan won it driving a #18 car [a green Pontiac - image]. So that’s the number Conway plans to use in the March 9 event.(ThatsRacin.com)(1-30-2002) MORE: Ernie Irvan made only one start in an ARCA race, the 1989 Atlanta Journal 500K at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which he won. It's no coincidence, then, that Irvan will also start his career as an owner in the ARCA race at Atlanta. Irvan announced Wednesday that he will field a car for Kevin Conway, a former Legends champion and ASA driver, in the March 9 Pork The Other White Meat 400 ARCA race at Atlanta. Conway is a three-time national champion in the Legends car series. He moved into late models in the ASA series and has worked as an instructor for Richard Petty Driving Experience for three years. "This is a great opportunity for me, teaming with Ernie to make my debut at Atlanta," Conway said. "It's been a long time coming. We've been beating our heads against the wall looking for sponsorship, but finally some doors are opening up." Conway and Irvan still haven't lined up a sponsor and aren't sure they will run more than the Atlanta ARCA race. Irvan is fronting the money to run, figuring they won't get sponsorship without getting Conway on track to display his talent. "This is one sport where talent alone can't get you to the top," Irvan said. "In other sports, if you have the talent, the success will most likely come if you stay with it. In racing, you have to have the opportunity to show what you can do." Irvan has teamed up with Innovative Motorsports to field a car for Conway, a native of Lynchburg, Va. It will be the same race car Shane Hmiel raced to a second-place finish in November's running of the Pork The Other White Meat 400. The team made up of crew members from several Busch and Winston Cup teams is working in a converted horse barn on Irvan's property in Mooresville, NC. "It's a really great shop, but it looks like a horse barn & we're literally running out of Ernie Irvan's stables," Conwaysaid. "We're really a non-cookie cutter race team. We do things differently."(AMS PR)(1-31-2002) VOTE FOR ERNIE - holds a strong lead: MSNBC is holding a vote for the Greatest Sports Comeback, Ernie's tremendous comback in 1995-96 is one of the choices (and the only choice of course). To vote, go to www.msnbc.com. Ernie is firmly in the LEAD (at 32%, Jordon is at 22%) after more then 114,412 votes on 3-20-2002 at 8:00pm/et.(not sure when voting ends)(12-30-2001/3-20-2002) - thanks to many sites and many radio shows for mentioning the vote and help pushing Irvan over the top. Irvan and Mattioli's to be honored: Ernie Irvan and Pocono Raceway owners Dr. Joe and Dr. Rose Mattioli are being honored as inductees into the Stock Car Hall of Fame. The 13th Annual Induction Ceremony will take place on February 11, 2002 at the Daytona Beach Hilton. Former inductees include Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Junior Johnson, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Benny Parsons, Buddy Baker, Harry Gant, and Bill France, Jr. Benny Parsons is scheduled to introduce Irvan during the ceremony that will include a cocktail hour and a dinner. Admission to the event, which is open to the public, is $85 (cocktail hour and dinner). Proceeds benefit three local charities in the Daytona Beach area - The Sheriff's Youth Ranch, 100 Deputies for 100 Kids, and the Association for Retarded Citizens. Tickets can be purchased by calling (386) 788-7837 or (386) 299-0771.(Irvan.com)(1-31-2002) Irvan to Carry Olympic Torch: The Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC), Coca-Cola and Chevrolet announced that former Winston Cup driver Ernie Irvan has been selected to carry the Olympic Flame on its 65 day, 13,500 mile journey from Atlanta, GA to Salt Lake City. Torchbearers were nominated earlier this year by family members, friends, or co-workers by writing a 50-100 word essay describing how the nominee embodied the Olympic spirit and inspired an individual or a community. Irvan was one of 7200 torchbearers selected from more than 210,000 nominees. The Olympic Flame will be lit during a ceremony in Olympia, Greece before traveling to Atlanta - where the flame last rested on American soil - and starting its cross-country journey through 46 states on December 4, 2001. An average of 180 torchbearers will each carry the flame approximately two-tenths of a mile. Irvan has been notified that. he will carry the flame either December 4, 5, or 6 in either Charlotte, NC; Hickory, NC; or Rock Hill, SC. The exact time and place will be announced later this month. Irvan stated he is really looking forward to participating in the Olympic Torch Relay and considers it a true honor to be selected to carry the Olympic Flame.(Irvan.com)(11-11-2001) UPDATE: Ernie Irvan will be carrying the Olympic Torch on Thursday, December 6, in Rock Hill, SC. His segment is on Cherry Road from Family Dollar to TCBY Yogurt. He is scheduled to carry the torch at 8:04am/et. See the www.saltlake2002.com for more on the Olympics(12-4-2001) Ernie Stuff for sale: Ernie sold his shop on Performance Lane and needs to move everything out of that location. Prices on much of the current merchandise is being reduced to clear inventory and make the move easier! Since the holidays are just around the corner, this is a great time to stock up on gifts for all Ernie fans! Please note that quantities on some items are extremely limited and will be offered on a first come, first serve basis. All prices include shipping and handling, see www.irvan.com for more info(12-4-2001) Tim Sauter to announce 2002 plans at Homestead UPDATE: Tim Sauter and the #19 AP Performance team will announce their 2002 NASCAR Busch Series plans in a Press Conference to be held in the Infield Media Interview Room at Miami Homestead Speedway on Friday(11-8-2001) UPDATE: AP Performance Racing, which won the ASA championships in 1999 and 2001, will run a full season in the BGN in 2002 with driver Tim Sauter. Sauter won the 1999 ASA title with AP Racing, while his younger brother, Johnny Sauter, won the title with the team this season. The group has purchased the race shop of former Winston Cup driver Ernie Irvan, located in Mooresville, N.C., and a fleet of Chevrolets fielded by Reiser Enterprises and driver Matt Kenseth. The vehicles will be updated to 2002 specifications and outfitted with engines from Amick Motorsports. The team has not secured sponsorship for 2002 as yet and will run the logo of US 131 Motorsports Park, a Martin, Mich., drag strip and oval track operated by the owners of the team.(That's Racin'), so it looks like the rumored Ernie team - see below - was either a farce or will not happen(11-13-2001) Ernie to run a BGN or CTS team? UPDATE looks like CTS: rumors are circulating that retired Cup driver Ernie Irvan is planning on starting a BGN or CTS team with Kevin Conway who drove in the ASA last season. Some sources have the CTS team running as soon as Richmond, another says BGN in 2002 UPDATE: indications are that it is the CTS/truck series NOT the BGN. Conway is presently working with the Richard Petty Driving Experience and has been running a Vehicare sponsored Legends car in the Pro division during the Summer Shootout series at Lowes Motor Speedway. Conway drove in ASA last year his sponsor was USA Meats.com his number was 61, Conway was going to run ASA in 2001 but a sponsor backed out. Supposedly Conway will run the ARCA race at Charlotte in October and plan on running the rest of the 2001 CTS schedule from Richmond on and the entire 2002 CTS Schedule AND Hearing that Irvan has a Monday night spot on Winston-Salem's NBC WXII at 6:00pm/et called Racing With Ernie and comments were made about Conway being Irvan's protege and to look for Irvan (as owner, not driver) to go racing soon with Conway in BGN & CTS(7-12-2001) Ernie Concentrating on Land Development and New House: in part for this weeks Winston Cup Scene - Ernie Irvan, who retired from NASCAR Winston Cup racing in September 1999 and then had his house destroyed by fire in March 2000, has turned his attentions to land development and rebuilding his family's home. Irvan was in the Winston Cup garage at Lowe's Motor Speedway the weekend of The Winston, visiting with friends and former business associates. Irvan, wife Kim and their two children are living in a mobile home located on their property while they rebuild their house. The two-story house, which they began building in late November, is expected to be completed in time for Christmas. Irvan's profession now centers on developing about 85 acres that he owns near Speedway Boulevard, which leads to Lowe's Motor Speedway and the Concord Mills outlet mall(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription)(5-24-2001) Ernie Wins! A crowd of 26,202 at Kentucky Speedway watched several Winston Cup drivers in a celebrity “Legends” race, followed by an ARCA RE/MAX stock race won by pole sitter Frank Kimmel. Saturday, Waltrip and Marlin signed autographs for fans along with another former Daytona winner, Ernie Irvan, and Winston Cup driver Brett Bodine. The foursome later staged a pair of 10-lap Legends races — the Legends cars are scaled-down versions of old hot rods. Irvan won the first race, Waltrip the second(Cincinnati Enquirer)(5-14-2001) a Million for a sponsor? In an exclusive interview this morning, Speedwayillustrated.com spoke with Scott Bryant, owner of Bryant Motorsports, currently out of Richmond, Virginia. Bryant is the one making the million-dollar offer. Bryant Motorsports has been racing for years, currently competing in asphalt late models, but Bryantt wants to take the next step into the NASCAR Busch series. Bryant relates, "We have a bunch of good people right now, we just need the money to tie it all together." Bryant is already in negotiations to see if buying Ernie Irvan's Mooresville, NC shops will fit his needs. So how do you make a million dollars? All you have to do is set Bryant Motorsports up with someone who wants to sponsor the team. When the deal is completed, you get a million dollars for your efforts. At first, giving a million dollars worth of the sponsor money away sounds foolish, but through any of the sponsorship agencies Bryant would have to pay at least that much. Bryant said, "We thought, why not get the general public involved? They know far more people and we could make a fan rich in the process!"(more info at the Speedway Illustrated site)(5-14-2001) Ernie Returns/Compton Wins: Stacy Compton held off Michael Waltrip and Brett Bodine to win the 30-lap celebrity Late Model Stock shootout Saturday in front of about 10,000 customers, the largest audience ever at the .416-mile banked New River Valley Speedway. Fourth went to retired leadfoot Ernie Irvan and last was Kerry Earnhardt. Waltrip, this year's Daytona 500 winner, was the pole sitter and ran up front most of the first 15 laps. At that stage, the race was stopped and the order inverted. Irvan then started first, followed by Earnhardt, Waltrip, Bodine and Compton.(Roanoke Times) and more info at the www.irvan.com site(5-13-2001) Ernie Irvan to drive in the "Race of Champions" on May 12th at Kentucky Speedway: Autograph Session starts at 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM Race of Champions starts at 1:00 PM with Two 12 lap races in the legend cars. Ernie Irvan, Michael Waltrip, Brett Bodine and Sterling Marlin are some of the drivers scheduled to compete. and at New River Valley Speedway: Autograph Session starts at 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM Race of Champions starts at 7:00 PM with Two 12 lap races in the Late Models. Ernie Irvan, Michael Waltrip, Brett Bodine, Stacy Compton and Kerry Earnhardt will be driving. For tickets contact the Kentucky Speedway at 1 (888) 652-RACE and New River Valley Speedway at (540) 639-1700 Column about Ernie: Irvan's Battle Isn't Over by Jason Mitchell(RacingOne)(1-23-2001) Whatever Happened to....D.K. Ulrich(one of Ernie's first owners(#'s 2 and #6): who was a Winston Cup driver/owner in the 1970-1980's? The former Winston Cup driver competed in 273 races, never won a pole, never flirted with a championship and retired with official winnings of $682,000. Now 57, Ulrich has turned his years of flying around speedways into a flying business of his own, a charter air service that he runs out of Statesville. His personal best day on the track was a fourth-place finish at Dover in 1981. Ulrich started Raceday Express in 1992, with various teams and racing related businesses using his service. They fly out on Sunday morning and get home later that same day. He doesn’t personally fly the Raceday Express, but will taxi people down to his island in the Bahamas(Pittstown Point Landings on Crooked Island). Yes, he owns an island with a lighthouse and exclusive guesthouse on it. He also owns a hotel on a nearby island and has deep-sea fishing, bone fishing and other water-related activities for his guests. Ulrich also owns helicopters and a fleet of 10 planes he uses for his charter business. He still attends about 10 races a year, but no more than that because he has been to so many of them.(see full story by Tim Packman at NOL)(1-12-2001) Irvan News? UPDATE: hearing retired Cup driver, Ernie Irvan, will not re-new the lease on his shop to Robby Gordon/Team Gordon and run a part-time BGN or CTS team out of the shop. Gordon is rumored to be driving the #4 Kodak car or the #7 NationsRent car in 2001, closing his own #13 Team Gordon operation. No word on what Gordon will do if he is not selected for #4 or #7 rides(11-13-2000) UPDATE: Irvan has retained use of the shop and Team Gordon has moved out into another facitlity, still hearing rumors Irvan may start a part time BGN or CTS team, but nothing is confirmed yet(1-20-2001) Jayski's Ernie Irvan Site Main Page 1997 Ernie Irvan Past News 1998 Ernie Irvan Past News 1999/2000 Ernie Irvan Past News Ernie Irvan Story/Article Links Page This page designed by Jayski LLC, 1996-2008© All Rights Reserved. Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit. This is an unofficial ERNIE IRVAN web site. For entertainment purposes only. Information, statistics, and images were compiled from many magazines, yearbooks, newspapers, web pages and other sources.