
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 11, 1995                   TAG: 9502140061
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder Newspapers
DATELINE: DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.                                 LENGTH: Short

IRVAN SAYS HE'LL RETURN TO RACING IN AUGUST

Sidelined NASCAR driving star Ernie Irvan, recovering from life-threatening injuries suffered in a crash last season, said Friday he expects to return to Winston Cup racing in August.

``Basically, I could race tomorrow if I wanted to,'' Irvan said at Daytona International Speedway, where qualifying begins today for the Feb.19 Daytona 500. ``But I want my eye to heal properly.

``The doctors tell me that around June or July the double-vision I'm experiencing will go away. By August I probably can go racing again. The doctors told me that. But there are no guarantees. The timetable could change tomorrow.''

Irvan, who lives in Concord, was hurt Aug.20 when he crashed while practicing at Michigan International Speedway. He initially was given only a 10 percent chance of surviving the head and lung injuries he suffered. However, by early October he was going to races again with the Robert Yates Racing team.

Driver Kenny Wallace finished out the 1994 season for the Yates team. Dale Jarrett, favored by many to win the 500's pole today, will be in Yates' No.28 Ford this year.

If Irvan is able to return at some point in the season, Yates has said he'll field two cars.

``I'm a team player and I'll be in the garage and pits and helping the Yates guys all I can,'' Irvan said. ``It's something I think will make the team loyal to me when I can drive again, because I was loyal to them when I couldn't.''

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

by CNB