Ernie news/rumors from the JournalNow: Ernie Irvan feels that Andy Petree’s offer is his top choice right now for a 1998 ride and that he would do the deal to become teammates with Kenny Schrader if the sponsor says yes. “The Andy Petree deal, if it could come together, would be a good deal,” Irvan said yesterday. It is not clear who the sponsor might be, but Nike is one company interested in sponsoring a team next season. “We hope to get it done in the next 30 days,” said Petree, who is talking with more than one potential sponsor. “If we do get the sponsor, I want to run Ernie. And Kenny is buying into the program, because he knows it would help both teams.” Irvan confirmed that he has also talked with team owners Julius Erving, Jack Roush, Michael Kranefuss and Don Shavers(NWO) about next season. “But I’m not sure there’s anything open at Jack’s,” he said. “And Michael and I are always talking, but right now he thinks Jeremy (Mayfield) has been doing a great job, that it’s still too soon for him to do a second team until his first team is all dialed in. I’m just interested in whatever deal can help Ernie Irvan win races, whether it’s Andy Petree’s deal or Julius Erving’s deal.”(parts from the JournalNow)(7-21-97)
