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Ernie Irvan, nicknamed "Swervin' Irvan," is a retired American stock car racer who competed in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1987 to 1999. Despite suffering a severe head injury during a practice session at the 1994 Miller Genuine Draft 400 at Michigan International Speedway, which initially left him with only a 10% chance of survival, he went on to win a total of 15 races over his 12-year career in the series.
Ernie Irvan’s NASCAR Cup Series wins
Ernie Irvan secured his first NASCAR Cup Series win on August 25, 1990, driving the No. 4 Chevrolet to victory at the Busch 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. At the start of the 1991 season, Irvan won the legendary Daytona 500. The race was filled with excitement as he claimed victory in the final moments, passing Dale Earnhardt in the closing laps. Additionally, Irvan won the Budweiser at The Glen race that season and finished fifth in the final championship standings.
In the 1992 season, Irvan won three races. His first victory came at the Save Mart 300K at Sears Point Raceway, followed by a win in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, and his final victory of the season came in the DieHard 500 at Talladega. Despite these successes, Irvan finished 11th in the final championship standings.
Irvan's 1993 season saw his form improve as he emerged victorious at the prestigious Winston 500 at Talladega. He won an additional two races: the Goody's 500 at Martinsville Speedway and the Alsco Uniforms 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after moving to Robert Yates Racing in the middle of the season to replace his good friend Davey Allison, who died due to injuries sustained in a helicopter crash. With those three victories and a dozen top-ten finishes, Irvan ended up sixth in the championship.
The 1994 season was filled with personal tragedy for Irvan, as he suffered a head injury in a near-fatal crash during a practice session for the 1994 Miller Genuine Draft 400 at Michigan International Speedway, which forced him to withdraw from the remainder of the season. Prior to his crash, he had won three races that season: the Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond International Raceway, the Purolator 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and the Save Mart Supermarkets 300 at Sears Point Raceway.
Irvan made his comeback in late 1995, but his first win after the head injury came in the 1996 season's Jiffy Lube 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. He followed that victory with another win in the Miller 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Therefore, due to his two wins and his respectable 10th place final championship standing, Irvan received massive respect from everyone involved in the sport.
Irvan's last career victory came in the 1997 Miller 400 at Michigan International Speedway, marking his 15th and final win in the NASCAR Cup Series.
FAQ's On Ernie Irvan wins
A. Ernie Irvan won his first race in the 1990 Busch 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
A. Ernie Irvan won the Daytona 500 in the 1991 NASCAR Cup Series season.
A. Ernie Irvan won the Winston 500 at Talladega in the 1993 NASCAR Cup Series season.
A. 1994 Save Mart Supermarkets 300 at Sears Point Raceway was Ernie Irvan’s last win before his crash in which he sustained a head injury.
A. Ernie Irvan’s last win in the NASCAR Cup Series was in 1997 Miller 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
