Ernie Irvan

Ernie “Swervin” Irvan is a former NASCAR driver who had to retire in 1999 due to multiple head injuries. At the age on 9, Irvan began is career in racing when he would drive karts in California. In 1975, Irvan moved up from karts to stock cars where he won multiple feature events. Irvan’s first race NASCAR Nationwide Series took place in 1986 during the All Pro 300 in Charlotte. As a rookie, Irvan won two races and in his second year, he won eleven races. In 1989, Irvan started in all 29 races during his first full year in the Winston Cup. The 1990’s were very good to Irvan. Irvan ended the 91-year with 2 victories, 3 second-place, and 4 fourth-place finishes, and his next few years were just as successful. In 1994, Irvan experienced a terrible car accident when a front tire deflated which caused his car to flip over a wall at 170 MPH. Upon arriving to the hospital he had critical brain and lung injury. His chances of surviving the night were slim to none. Less than two months later, Irvan was back to normal and in 1995, he was back to racing.