NOTES:

Ernie's Video: Miracles Happen is no longer available anyplace I could find

	ERNIE IRVAN Personal
	Height:	5'9"
	Birth Date:	1/13/59
	Birthplace:	Salinas, CA
	Residence:	Concord, NC
	Wife:	Kim
	Children:	Jordan, Jared
	Parents:	Vic and Jo Irvan
	Thanks to Dave for the Ernie Standup Images and thanks to JT from Bama's Pic of the Day! page for the Ernie image on the left

LASTEST NEWS/LINKS

Ernie Irvan's Race 2 Safety

From the Daytona 500 site: Two Minutes with Ernie Irvan, article and a video of Ernie Irvan.(1-13-2008)
Irvan preaches prevention: Ernie Irvan knows first-hand how a traumatic brain injury can disrupt a life and a career. He also knows many of them are preventable, which is the message the former NASCAR driver brought to Indianapolis on Wednesday as keynote speaker at the Brain Injury Association of Indiana annual conference. Irvan, 48, suffered a life-threatening brain injury when he crashed at Michigan International Speedway in 1994. He defied the odds to return to racing but was forced to retire in 1999 after another hard hit in virtually the same place on the same racetrack. He has spent much of his time since trying to raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries, which each year afflict 1.5 million Americans and result in more than 50,000 deaths. He started the Race2Safety Foundation and speaks to a half-dozen groups a year.
"I'm just trying to get the message out about prevention," Irvan said. "The numbers keep going up. Every 23 seconds in the U.S., someone suffers another traumatic brain injury." Many of the victims are children, the result of falls from bicycles and skateboards. "When I was growing up, I had a bicycle and never wore a helmet," Irvan said. "But kids need to wear a helmet and wear it properly."
Dr. James Malec, director of research at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, said having someone of Irvan's stature and life experience spreading the word is invaluable. Even though traumatic brain injuries have received more attention the past few years with so many soldiers in the Iraq war suffering them, work still needs to be done. "It's a relatively new field, only 20 to 30 years old," Malec said. "We can now target problems a lot more specifically, but we've got a long way to go. This still tends to be an overlooked injury because there are no obvious signs -- a big scar or a missing limb." Irvan said if the head-and-neck restraints and SAFER barriers mandated by NASCAR after Dale Earnhardt suffered fatal head injuries in a 2001 crash had been in place earlier, he would still be racing. But the winner of 15 Cup races doesn't begrudge having his career cut short. "I don't feel cheated. That's just the cards I was dealt," he said. "When my name is mentioned, people realize who I am. So when I speak about prevention, they listen."(Indianapolis Star)(10-11-2007)
Irvan to appear at Carlisle All-GM Nationals: The All-GM Nationals will be the place to be in 2007! Held in Carlisle PA from June 22-24, 2007. Last year's show set high standards for the many fans, and this year will feature NASCAR great Ernie Irvan. Irvan is scheduled to be available throughout the weekend to greet fans, sign autographs and share some interesting insights of his storied racing career. More info at carsatcarlisle.com.(Todd Greene Agency PR)(6-22-2007)
LAPS Walk 2007 to be held at Michigan International Speedway on Thursday, August 16, 2007. Join Ernie Irvan, NASCAR drivers and fans, military heroes, and TBI survivors as we hit the track at MIS for the greatest race of Ernie’s life – the race to help prevent traumatic brain injury (TBI) in America. This year LAPS Walk is broadening the scope of that race by featuring a theme of “Helmets and Heroes” to recognize the significance of TBI in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. See lapswalk.org for more info
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)

LAPS Walk at Pocono raises over $30,000: On July 21st, 2006, Ernie Irvan and the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) earned another victory in the fight to prevent Traumatic Brain Injury at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA. In a place known for speed and excitement, this victory lap was at a slightly slower pace as a group of over 300 supporters participated in Pocono's first Leadership and Awareness to Promote Safety (LAPS) Walk. Irvan suffered two Traumatic Brain Injuries while racing, the second of which prompted his early retirement and inspired him to start his non-profit organization Race2Safety. LAPS Walk was created as a partnership between Race2Safety and the BIAPA and well achieved its goal at Pocono Raceway by raising over $30,000 for the awareness and prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury.

"This was the greatest victory lap of my life," said Irvan immediately following the event. "Walking with over 300 people, all these NASCAR drivers, NASCAR President Mike Helton, and having all these sponsors - I am truly touched."

"The energy of this event was incredible," said Drew Nagele, President of the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania. "Having everyone together on the racetrack for a common purpose was significant and inspirational for the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania and all those with Traumatic Brain Injury."

From strollers to wheelchairs and every walk of life in between, people from all over Pennsylvania and neighboring states showed their support for the cause by raising at least $100 each for the exclusive opportunity to walk side-by-side with Irvan, NASCAR President Mike Helton, and NASCAR drivers such as Kasey Kahne, Casey Mears, Martin Truex, Jr., Brian Vickers, Jeff Burton, Jeff Green, and Jeremy Mayfield - all to raise money for traumatic brain injury awareness and prevention.

"Ernie's been a friend for a long time, so I'm happy I can help him out in any way," NASCAR driver Jeff Green said to the Scranton Times Tribune. "This is a great cause, and one that definitely deserves more awareness and more funding. As a driver, you see talented drivers like Ernie who've had career-ending brain injuries and it makes you realize it could happen to any of us at any time. I don't take that for granted. Hopefully, the fans will see us trying to raise money for this cause, and they'll join in and offer what they can to help fund this charity."

The next LAPS Walk is scheduled to take place at the Michigan International Speedway (MIS) on Thursday, August 17th, 2006, the very racetrack where Irvan sustained his two Traumatic Brain Injuries. Registration is available online at www.lapswalk.org, or onsite at MIS starting at 8:00am on Thursday, August 17th, and is $100 per person or $250 per family. For more information and for the list of drivers participating at MIS please visit www.lapswalk.org.(7-28-2006)
Sad News - Susan Kathleen Irvan Lewis: Mrs. Lewis, 51, of Cornelius, NC died Sunday, July 2, 2006 at her residence. She was born on August 25, 1954 to Vic Irvan and Jo Ann Graves Irvan in Carmel, CA. She loved designing and painting her own works of art. Her pleasures in life were boating on the lake, traveling, auto racing and spending time with children and grandchildren. She was a 1972 graduate of Salinas High School (California) and attended Monterey Penninsula College. She was a beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister.
Survivors include her husband, Jack Lewis; son, Chad Dotseth of Concord; daughter, Staci Graulich of Concord; brother, Ernie Irvan and wife Kim of Mooresville; sisters, Sheryl Bradford and husband Jerry of Monterey, CA Tracy Smith and husband Kevin of Concord; grandchildren, Kenslie Dotseth, Zachary and Ella Kae Hagler and five nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her brother, David Irvan.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lake Norman, 705 Griffith Street, Suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036.(Charlotte Observer)(7-5-2006)
CMT's Greatest Comebacks: CMT today airs NASCAR's Greatest Combacks today [Mar 11th] at 4:00pm/et. This one-hour retrospective looks back at the greatest comebacks in NASCAR history. Moments include Ricky Rudd's win in Richmond after surviving one of the worst crashes in NASCAR history; the underdog team of Alan Kulwicki who closed the huge gap between Bill Elliott's for the 1992 win in Atlanta; and Richard Petty's triumph over controversy. New, exclusive interviews from NASCAR greats Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Richard Petty provide a rich and in-depth look at the comebacks that define one of the most watched and respected sports in the nation.... and Ernie's Irvan's comeback and wins.(CMT)(3-11-2006)
Irvan, Nadeau and LaJoie take on the virtual world: A squadron of NASCAR drivers will take on the virtual racing world in the first-ever Race2Safety Showdown on January 24 at Quaker Steak & Lube, just up the road from Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. The entire 40-car field was filled in less than 48 hours after it was announced. The 200-mile race will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.realracingonline.com.
Irvan is pumped: "It's gonna be a lot of fun. I know the online guys are serious so I've been practicing a lot. I've qualified on the pole at Michigan, the track we're racing on, so I just need to work on my race set up." I'll be ready to take on all of them by race night." Irvan, Nadeau and LaJoie will compete side-by-side in racing simulators at the Concord, NC eatery and will be joined online by other NASCAR drivers including Boris Said, David Reutimann and Jeremy Mayfield. Nadeau's simulator will line up next to Irvan's. He has also been tuning up his skills. He's more than ready for the race. "Bring it on," he says, "This type of racing is very realistic with one important difference. You don't get hurt if you crash."
The Ultimate Reality Racer and Realracingonline host the inaugural event. All entrants will also qualify for a shot at racing stardom on the Ultimate Reality Racer TV program, a four tier contest to find the next great racing star. The entire $100 dollar entry fee will go to Irvan's fledgling foundation, Race2Safety. Irvan formed the organization to promote head injury awareness and prevention. "One person in the United States suffers a traumatic brain injury every 21 seconds," Irvan says. "I want to help people avoid what I have gone through."
Greg Davis, the Ultimate Reality Racer creator is excited about the event. "It gives me a chance to work with Ernie, one of my heroes. When he came back from his wreck at Michigan and just didn't drive around...but won again, he earned my respect forever. I can't think of a better way to support him and announce the Ultimate Reality Racer program to the world." Irvan is now using his experience and has become a living advocate for those who have suffered head injuries. Race2Safety is focusing its awareness campaign on children and young adults who could face long term disabilities if they become victims of a serious head injury. The green flag drops on January 24 at 7:00pm/et. So log on or stop by Quaker Steak & Lube. Irvan and his band of brothers will definitely be taking names. Visit www.ultimaterealityracer.com.(1-10-2006)
Ernie Irvan MIS Walk to feature Celebrities: NASCAR legend Ernie Irvan is only days away from the most important victory lap of his life - the inaugural Leadership and Awareness to Promote Safety (LAPS) Walk, set to take place next Wednesday, August 17 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn, Michigan. Other NASCAR legends including Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Bobby Labonte, Jerry Nadeau, Ned Jarrett, Benny Parsons and Bobby and Donny Allison will join Irvan and the hundreds of supporters who have registered to walk alongside them on the track at MIS.
Created as a partnership between the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and Irvan's non-profit organization, Race2Safety, the LAPS Walk aims to raise money for and awareness of brain injury and to bring traumatic brain injury to the forefront of consciousness in the minds of Americans. Irvan suffered two traumatic brain injuries at MIS during his racing career, the second of which prompted his early retirement. "Having this inaugural event at MIS is a testimony to those living with brain injuries", said Irvan. "I am truly appreciative of the support everyone has shown - especially those who have registered to walk and the sponsors who have joined me in this mission." Lifetime Products will donate $1 dollar to the cause in the name of each individual who visits their website, www.tailgateofalifetime.com, and registers their name. More info on my Racing Charity Page.(8-11-2005)
Irvan's Mission Gains Momentum: One prominent NASCAR team's drivers will be doing more than running laps around the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon July 17 as part of the New England 300; they'll be helping to promote the August 17 LAPS Walk, an inaugural event at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) that will help NASCAR legend Ernie Irvan and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan combat the silent national epidemic of traumatic brain injury. Team MB2 Motorsports (with affiliate teams MBV and MBSutton) has agreed to carry the LAPS Walk logo underneath the "B" Pillar of each of the cars (driver side panel) during NASCAR races leading up to and including the GFS Marketplace 400 at MIS on August 21, 2005.
Teammates Joe Nemechek, who drives #01, a Chevrolet (sponsored by U.S. Army) and Scott Riggs, driving #10, also a Chevrolet (sponsored by Valvoline) feature the logo on their cars since the race at New Hampshire. The third team member, Boris Said, driving #36, again a Chevrolet (sponsored by CENTRIX Financial), will join Nemechek and Riggs in featuring the LAPS Walk logo when he joins the field in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. All three will be drawing attention to the LAPS (Leadership and Promotion of Safety) event, to be held the Wednesday of GFS 400 race week at MIS.
Aside from Ernie Irvan's history with the team, there's yet another link to the issue of brain injury awareness -- former #01 driver Jerry Nadeau was sidelined with a brain injury accident in 2003; Joe Nemechek is his replacement. Ernie Irvan's involvement in the cause was sparked by his own experience, when he crashed at MIS (in 1994). Initially not expected to recover from his injuries, he not only did so, but went on to race again [an won 3 more races]. A second injury at MIS (five years to the day of the first accident) prompted his retirement. "I'm personally very grateful to MB2 Motorsports for taking this leadership position with us in bringing positive attention to the LAPS Walk and our Race2Safety Foundation," said Irvan. "The funds we will be able to raise, including those going to support the valuable work of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, will go a long way toward reducing the incidence and severity of brain injury."
The LAPS Walk is a joint effort between Ernie Irvan's Race2Safety Foundation and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan that will become an annual event to raise awareness for traumatic brain injury. For a minimum $100 registration fee, participants can walk the racetrack with Ernie and other current and former NASCAR drivers by registering online at www.lapswalk.org or by calling 1-888-LAP-4-R2S (527-4727).
Ernie's son wins races: Jared Irvan’s first Quarter Midget win came on Saturday, 4/9/05, at his home track, the North Carolina Quarter Midget Association Speedway. This was Jared’s second race at the track and his first Jr. Novice Cup Race. After starting 5th, Jared passed for the lead on the last lap!
AND Jared won the Jr. Novice Main at the NC Quarter Midget Speedway on Saturday, 5/7/05. He started second, moved to first immediately, and retained the lead for the entire race.(irvan.com)(6-14-2005)
What is up with Irvan? asked of Jeff Hammond at FoxSports.com: "As far as Ernie Irvan is concerned, we do see him at the track from time to time. He tries to help out several drivers in the ARCA Series. He's tried to put some deals together for them and make things happen. Kevin Conway has been one of the drivers that he's taken under his wing. Conway shows up from time to time for Busch [#03 Team] and Craftsman Truck races. Ernie's doing well. He still loves racing and wishes he could be more involved. It's good to see him still hanging around the sport.(FoxSports), Irvan has also started an organization, Race2Safety, working head protection equipment.(3-9-2005)
So What is Ernie Irvan up to? Irvan helped form Race 2 Safety which plans to make a positive difference in the lives of men, women and children across America by informing and educating them about the latest transportation-related head protection equipment and technologies and actively promoting the everyday use of such equipment. Race 2 Safety works closely with safety equipment manufacturers, head injury prevention and treatment associations, as well as state and federal transportation safety organizations to help dramatically reduce the number of transportation-related traumatic brain injuries that occur every year. See more at race2safety.com.(12-8-2004)

The car Ernie won his only ARCA start in, the #18 Pontiac

Ernie signing autograph's at Kentucky Speedway on May 12th, 2001
he won a race in an exhibition race
(image from the Cincinnati Enquirer)
ANNOUNCEMENT: the Ernie Irvan Fan Club has temporarily suspended operation, see the statement from Ernie at the Ernie Irvan Site, it'll answer questions about refunds and the future(3-22-2001)

Ernie talks on ESPN's Outside the Lines, dicussing NASCAR Saftey

images from NASCAR - thanks
Irvan's First Cup Car: as far as I know www.Irvan.com and the Ernie Irvan Fan Club is still taking orders for the #56 1987 Dale Earnhardt Sponsored Chevrolet ran at Richmond and Charlotte. All orders placed through the web site and the Fan Club will be autographed. This will be for a limited time only. For more info or to order see the Irvan.com site(5-3/9-21-2000)

here are two images of the two cars available:

Ernie ran this car in his first ever Winston Cup start

You can get information on Ernie's fan club and the auctions at www.irvan.com(3-22-2000)
Moved Ernie's retirement announcement and my thoughts to it's own page: Retirement Announcement and Jayski's Thoughts(9-11-1999)

Thought this was cute, Ernie as Cartman
, thanks to Mike of Penske Racing South Park
The Crispy Scheme: the car Ernie ran at Daytona in the Pepsi 400, Thanks to Steve & Bobbi Gudac for the image. The car was also run at Talladega with Jerry Nadeau driving
The Pedigree Car: the car Ernie drove at Michigan in June from Kenneth A. Nagel(see below)

NOTE: Ernie retired at Darlington on Sept 3, 1999, Jerry Nadeau took over for the remainder of 1999

ERNIE'S 1999 FINAL WINSTON CUP POINTS STANDING
POS	POINTS	BEHIND	STARTS	POLES	WINS	TOP 5	TOP 10	WINNINGS	LAST WEEK	OWNERS PTS PLACE
40*	1915	2687	21	0	0	0	5	$1,088,459	39	33
includes winnings from The Bud Shootout and The Winston *Retired on Sept 3rd, 1999
Final Career Averages
Ave Start			16.3			Ave Finish			17.4
Final 1999 Averages
Ave Start			27.6			Ave Finish			24.4

SITE LINKS

Note: All these stats compiled by Jayski

NOTES:

LASTEST NEWS/LINKS

Thought this was cute, Ernie as Cartman
, thanks to Mike of Penske Racing South Park

Born On Date is January 15, 1996

Made in the U.S.A.(NJ)

This page designed by Jayski LLC, 1996-2008© All Rights Reserved.
Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.

SITE LINKS

Note: All these stats compiled by Jayski

NOTES:

LASTEST NEWS/LINKS

Thought this was cute, Ernie as Cartman, thanks to Mike of Penske Racing South Park

Born On Date is January 15, 1996

Made in the U.S.A.(NJ)

This page designed by Jayski LLC, 1996-2008© All Rights Reserved. Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.

Thought this was cute, Ernie as Cartman
, thanks to Mike of Penske Racing South Park

This page designed by Jayski LLC, 1996-2008© All Rights Reserved.
Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.