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Ernie Irvan

One of NASCAR'S Top 50 Drivers of All-Time

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Ernie Irvan was known for his aggressive driving style.  He started his Winston Cup (now the Monster Energy Series) career in 1987 with the help from Dale Earnhardt, who sponsored his car.

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In 1990, Ernie joined the Morgan-McClure racing and won the first race of the following year, the Daytona 500.  Seven more wins would follow in the next three years.  At the end of the 1993 season, Ernie would team up with Robert Yates Racing and win two of the nine remaining races.

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In 1994, Ernie scored three victories and was only a few points behind Dale Earnhardt in the standings when tragedy struck.  While practicing for the August race in Michigan, Ernie spun out and crashed between turns one and two.  Doctors gave him less than a 10% chance of survival.  Ernie fought the odds over the next year to make his amazing comeback.

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In October 1995, Ernie battled back to the seat in Winston Cup racing and started  in Wilkesboro, NC.  He finished 6th in this race.  After winning twice in 1996, Erie finished his comeback with a win at Michigan in June 1997, the same track that almost took his life three years earlier.

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In 1999 Ernie had another terrible accident at the same track.  This accident, being five years to the day after his first, had a great impace on Ernie's life.  After much thought, Ernie decided that his family was the most important part in his life and he retired from racing.

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