DATE: Wednesday, April 2, 1997              TAG: 9704020741

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   50 lines

IRVAN, WIFE INVOLVED IN FIGHT OUTSIDE NORTH CAROLINA BAR WITNESS SAYS FIGHT BEGAN AS QUARREL BETWEEN KIM IRVAN AND ANOTHER WOMAN.

An evening out for NASCAR Winston Cup driver Ernie Irvan and his wife, Kim, ended with a fight in the parking lot of a nightclub in Cornelius, N.C., early Sunday, but none of the parties involved plan to file criminal charges.

Cornelius police were called to Twisters nightclub on Highway 73 West at 2:08 a.m. Sunday by the manager, who said there was a fight in the parking lot.

A Cornelius Police Department report on the incident listed seven people involved, including the Irvans. Only minor injuries were reported.

``It was an unfortunate situation that's now resolved,'' said Ernie Irvan's team publicist, Brian VanDercook. Irvan was in San Diego Tuesday for an appearance and was unavailable for comment.

One of the others listed on the police report, Mark Marlowe, 26, of Kannapolis, N.C., expressed regret about the incident.

``The whole thing shouldn't have happened,'' he said. ``It should have been avoided. It was a big mistake. It had nothing to do with racing.''

Marlowe said the dispute was primarily between Kim Irvan and a woman with his party, Joy Montgomery, 29, of Albemarle, N.C. Montgomery could not be reached for comment.

Marlowe said a disc jockey at the club had announced the presence of the Irvans, who were reportedly there to celebrate Kim's 31st birthday, which was Tuesday. Marlowe said his group said hello to the Irvans and mingled with them in a friendly and cordial manner.

But an argument started between the two women, Marlowe said, and his party decided to leave. In the parking lot, as his group was about to drive away, Kim Irvan reportedly confronted Montgomery again and a fight ensued.

Marlowe said he was ``trying to keep the peace'' when a stranger came out of the club and put him in a headlock.

The incident had ended by the time police arrived.

``All parties involved advised that words had been exchanged in Twisters night club by two of the victims,'' the police report said. ``Upon leaving the night club, a fight ensued in the parking lot.''

Cornelius Police Capt. Ed Gemes said there were ``conflicting reports'' about what started the dispute.

Marlowe said he didn't think anyone in his group had any desire to pursue the matter further. ``It's all been forgotten on this end,'' Marlowe said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Winston Cup driver Ernie Irvan had brought his wife, Kim, to

Twisters nightclub Sunday to celebrate her 31st birthday.

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