Irvan Leaves Hospital

Ernie Irvan was released from Carolinas Medical Center after an overnight stay following a crash at Charlotte Motor Speedway in which he was knocked unconscious for a brief period.

A spokesman for the Robert Yates Racing team said Irvan had no other injuries except a concussion, although he did continue to have aching muscles throughout his body on Monday.

Irvan, 37, was injured in a three-car accident during Sunday’s UAW-GM Quality 500 NASCAR Winston Cup event. Track medical personnel said Irvan was unconscious for about 4 minutes after the incident in which his spinning car was hit by two other cars.

Both collisions involved the front of Irvan’s Ford Thunderbird, ahead of the driver’s compartment.

Dr. Jerry Petty, medical director for the speedway, said safety personnel took particular precautions with Irvan in light of the fact that the driver nearly died of head and chest injuries from a crash on Aug. 20, 1994 at Michigan International Speedway.

Irvan returned to racing in October 1994 and has driven in all 28 Winston Cup events this season, winning two and holding down 10th place in the season standings.