Thanks Skip for this answer as I have gotten many messages that Ernie asked for his dismissal yesterday: “Several drivers have expressed concern about the high speeds and overall condition of the track during recent test sessions at the re-configured Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ernie Irvan, for one, jokingly asked his soon-to-be former owner, Robert Yates, if it would be OK if he left the team before the Nov. 16 race. Irvan’s comments, or varying versions, spread quickly through the garage area yesterday here at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Perhaps because Irvan and next year’s No. 28 driver, Kenny Irwin, raced each other quite hard last weekend at a Truck race, the hot rumor yesterday had Irvan either quitting or being fired three races before the relationship officially ends. The Irvan camp quickly - and with amusement – discredited the rumor.”(Skip Wood, Times-Dispatch Staff Writer)(10-25-97)
