By Rick Houston
Swervin’ Irvan.
It was a nickname borne out of tire smoke, bent sheet metal and more ruffled feathers than anyone could possibly ever count. Thanks mainly to at least high-profile incidents — Darlington in 1990, then Talladega and Pocono the following year — the tag stuck. It didn’t help matters in the least that two of those incidents left two fellow competitors injured and missing significant time on the track.
Neil Bonnett sustained head injuries at Darlington and didn’t drive again for three years, while Kyle Petty severely broke his left at Talladega.
Things came to a head at the weekend of the second Talladega event in 1991, when Irvan and team owner Larry McClure were called to NASCAR’s mobile office for an impromptu chewing out. It culminated in what many considered to be Irvan’s unprecedented apology during the pre-race drivers’ meeting.
This is Larry McClure’s story.
Join hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid each week on The Scene Vault Podcast Presented by Q Ware as they take a look back at the extraordinary people, places and events woven into the rich tapestry that is our sport.
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