Irvan was having a respectable first year in this Pontiac until he wrecked at Talladega in October, effectively ending his season. He has already had one miraculous recovery in his career, and until he proves he has fully recovered this time around there will be more questions about his health.
Career
The team finished 27th in points in its first year with Derrike
Cope driving. Ernie Irvan came aboard in 1997 with 15 career wins in Morgan-McClure
Chevrolets and Robert Yates Fords. Won race at Michigan in June, but most
remarkable accomplishment might have been winning pole at Indianapolis just
hours after Yates had announced Kenny Irwin as replacement in No. 28 Ford.
Ernie Irvan's comeback from an August 1994 testing crash at Michigan is well-documented. His return to the cockpit of a Robert Yates Racing Ford was a victory in itself.
But what happened on July 14 of 1996 in the Jiffy Lube 300 in New Hampshire was nothing short of miraculous. Irvan insisted his comeback would not be complete without a win.
Irvan went on to win again, at the Miller 400 in September, and captured a pole at the Winston Select 500 in April, 12 top-5s and 16 top-10s, helped bump his total winnings to $1,480,167.
After more than a year's absence, Ernie came back to run three races at the end of 1995 with two top 10 finishes. With finishes like that, he is definitely ready for a full season of competition. The Daytona 500 will be his 200th NASCAR Winston Cup start.
Suffered massive injuries in practice-session crash at Michigan International Speedway Aug. 29, 1994. He trailed Dale Earnhardt by just 27 points at that time. Was hospitalized several weeks and made what many considered a miraculous recovery after being given a 10-percent chance of survival immediately after crash. Hopes to return to racing. Had won three races in 20 outings in '94, accumulating $1,311,522 in earnings. Amazingly, he won True Value Hard Charger Award as driver who led most miles of season. Also won a 1994 Twin-125 qualifying race at Daytona.
Started racing in 1974. First Winston Cup race, Sep. 13, '87 at Richmond, Va. Runner-up to Ken Bouchard for 1988 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. At the end of 1994, he had 196 career Winston Cup starts, 12 wins, 16 poles, $5,599,121 in career winnings (16th of all-time list). First win came in 79th start, 1990 Busch 500 at Bristol. First pole position came in 65th attempt, 1990 Valleydale Meats 500 at Bristol. Won 1991 Daytona 500. Career-best fifth in 1991 Winston Cup points.
Played tennis and foolball in high school while racing as a hobby. Credits Marc Reno with giving him his biggest break. Inspired by his father, who helped him build his first race car. They won Stockton track championship together in 1977. When he first moved to Charlotte, he did welding job on grandstands at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Still considers Richard Petty best ever in Winston Cup racing. Enjoys watching Dirty Harry and Goldie Hawn movies and listening to Oldies music. Owns '67 SS 396 Chevelle and '37 Chevy Hot Rod. Owns 45-foot Newell Coach that travels to many races. Owns Navado Chieftan Panther and Newell Coach motorhome. Favorite sports figure is Magic Johnson.
Sources: NASCAR Press Guides, Star and News staff reports.
