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)
