Irvan & Nadeau back on the track at MIS: Ernie Irvan, Jerry Nadeau and Rusty Wallace are no longer NASCAR drivers, but they still took a lap around Michigan International Speedway on Thursday. Irvan and Nadeau, who both retired from racing after suffering traumatic brain injuries, were joined by Wallace, current NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers Greg Biffle and Scott Wimmer and former Irvan crew chief Larry McReynolds for the Leadership and Awareness to Promote Safety (LAPS) Walk around the speedway’s two-mile oval. More than 600 supporters raised money through a pledge drive to participate and help raise awareness of traumatic brain injuries. “MIS has bent over backwards to try and make it where we can have (the walk) closer to race day,” said Irvan, who started the event last year in conjunction with the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. Irvan suffered a brain injury in [August] 1994 at MIS but came back and won the 1997 Miller 400. Irvan retired from racing in 1999 after suffering a second brain injury at MIS. Nadeau suffered a career-ending brain injury in 2003 [at Richmond im May]. Irvan said it is important to wear seat belts in cars and helmets when riding motorcycles, bicycles or skateboards. “It’s simple,” Irvan said. “The cure is out there. All it is is prevention.” McReynolds missed last year’s inaugural event but made sure to participate this year. He was Irvan’s crew chief during the 1994 accident at MIS, which happened during a practice run. “The caution came out and the spotter came on the radio and said, ‘Larry, it’s us,’ ” McReynolds said. “The worst thing in the world that can happen to a crew chief is when you ask the driver is he OK and you hear nothing on that radio. The way I see it, we’re working on a great cause here and we’re doing it with, in my book, the greatest group of fans in the world — the NASCAR fans.” For more information, visit www.lapswalk.org or www.race2safety.com.(Detroit Free Press)(8-18-2006)
