Irvan Returns Today

Ernie Irvan is back after a 13-month hiatus. Now it’s a question of what he can accomplish with one good eye and plenty of determination as he resumes his Winston Cup career in today’s Tyson Holly Farms 400.

Irvan was left near death and in a coma on Aug. 20, 1994 when he crashed during a practice session at Michigan International Speedway. His recovery has been nothing short of miraculous, with the only remnant a frustrating double vision in his left eye that his doctors say may eventually go away.

In the meantime, the 36-year-old Irvan will race with a patch over the injured eye and an extra mirror in his car.

Still, his first real race experience since before his accident came Saturday in the SuperTruck race on the same .625-mile track where he will campaign a Robert Yates Racing Ford Thunderbird today.

Irvan acquitted himself well Saturday, starting second and leading twice in the early going. He slipped back to seventh place at the midway point, due to worn tires, but still appeared to be in the hunt.

The trucks take a halfway break in their races, and Irvan’s crew attempted to change his swaybar during the intermission. They were unable to get the job done in time and Irvan retired without ever getting back into the event.

Roush Racing teammates Ted Musgrave and Mark Martin will start in the front row today, followed by Bobby Hamilton and 10-time North Wilkesboro winner Darrell Waltrip, his brother Michael and Irvan’s new teammate Dale Jarrett.

In the Supertruck Race, Mike Bliss led the last 21 laps Saturday on the way to a victory in the Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse 150 NASCAR SuperTruck race.