Ernie Irvan AOL Transcript

Hello everyone! Thanks for coming tonight. I look forward to your questions.

Question : Mr. Irvan were you very upset about Mr. Jarrett and the crew leaving you? (I am only 14 and think you are the greatest!! :)) ADVIPERNIE : Mr. Jarrett and the crew didn't really leave me. I had a really good relationship with the QC team and the Texaco team. Bigger and better things are in the future.

Question : What is your favorite track? Do you like Daytona and Talladega or would you rather race on shorter tracks? ADVIPERNIE : I like all the race tracks on the WC circuit. This week my favorite track is Darlington ;)

Question : Ernie-- what influenced u the most to start racing??? ADVIPERNIE : I would have to say my dad was involved in racing that it was a natural thing to do.

Question : Ernie, Do you feel running for a single car team this year will have benefits for you? ... such as having their undivided attention and full support? ADVIPERNIE : I think that being a single car team isn't bad. In the whole picture, we are linked a lot to the Hendricks org. We have the capabilities to be almost a multicar team but we don't have the growing pains OF a multi-car team.

Question : How do you feel about your chance of doing good on the circuit this year? ADVIPERNIE : I think the Skittles team and myself are in really good shape in having a good race team. I think we will have a good year, but who knows what will happen. We have a real good organization and between the 2 of us we can get the job done.

Question : Ernie. What is your take on the new Ford Tauruses? Are their advantages really that much more than the Chevys and Pontiacs? ADVIPERNIE : There is no doubt that the Taurus is a great race car. There has been a major advantage if you look at the results of the Taurus. If it wasn't for Jeff and Bobby, the would have lead and won almost every lap.

Question : do you like Dale Earnhardt? ADVIPERNIE : I have a great relationship with Dale and all the other drivers. Question : Hi Ernie. Any more special paint schemes for you this year? ADVIPERNIE : Yes, there will be another one. It will probably happen around the 4th of July.

Question : What do you think happened to your hood in the 1996 Daytona 500? ADVIPERNIE : It blew off! LOL ... the hood blew up into the grandstands and luckily no one got hurt.

Question : Mr Ervan, You've been a great influence on my life, do you feel pressured by being this big of a role model? ADVIPERNIE : I don't feel pressured by that. It is an honor to be a role model to a lot of people, but it is hard for me to imagine BEING a role model, but I am glad I can be.

Question : When you were recovering, did you ever feel that you didn't want to go back to racing? ADVIPERNIE : Nope! I definitely wanted to go racing the whole time.

Question : What do you think of NASCAR's ruling today? ADVIPERNIE : I think that NASCAR has done a good job with trying to get the playing field equal. I am not so sure that they can do it without starting to change some of the major templates.

Question : Hi Ernie! Best of luck to you this season. When will we see another match race between you and JohnBoy? ADVIPERNIE : LOL ... That is a good question! That may happen this year. He wanted to do it last year, so it may happen this year!

Question : What does it feel like hitting the wall at 200mph? ADVIPERNIE : It doesn't feel very good... it happens so quick that it is really hard to describe. It obviously hurts a lot, that is for sure.

Question : how do you think Kenny will do driving for Yates? ADVIPERNIE : I don't know of Kenny was ready to get into that position. They are pushing him quite a bit and it is going to show on a lot of race tracks.

Question : What's the fastest speed you've reached in your racecar? ADVIPERNIE : I think around 205mph.

Question : How is your sight? have you regained full field of vision? ADVIPERNIE : Yes. I have 100% of it all back :)

Question : How does your family deal with being on the road? ADVIPERNIE : It has been pretty easy for them this year. They haven't gone to any races. We had a new boy this year, so their first race will be Darlington. We have a motor home so we are still a family at the race track.

Question : Ernie, who do you feel is your biggest competition on the track? ADVIPERNIE : I feel like every week it is a little different. I can't consider one guy more than another. Each week that changes.

Question : How do you like your new set up with different racing team and sponsor? I think you're great and would like to see you win the championship. ADVIPERNIE : I really enjoy being with M&M Mars. They are a great company. It has been a lot of fun. I look for a lot of good things to come out of it.

Question : Ernie, how do you rate the New Hampshire track in terms of driver skills? ADVIPERNIE : I really like the NH track. That is one of my favorite tracks. I usually drive well there. The race I won when I came back was there. I basically run good every time I go there so when you run good at a place, you definitely like it! :)

Question : Ernie, what do you think of the video game NASCAR '98? Do you like it? Do you own it? ADVIPERNIE : LOL ... You won't believe it but I just turned it on RIGHT NOW! I race on it quite a bit and I take a lap top to the race track also. I have just recently gotten started playing it. I like it.

Question : You are the most exciting driver to watch on road circuits. What about running say the "24 hours at Daytona" or "Le mans." Or other road course series? ADVIPERNIE : I definitely thought about running the 24hr stuff. The guy that drives my truck in the truck series is really good with the road race stuff. We have talked about the both of us doing it together.

Question : How special was it winning Michigan last year after the crash? ADVIPERNIE : It was the most awesome place to win at because I never won there before. It was an awesome feeling, especially after my accident.

Question : I really want to race car drive but I'm not sure how to get started what should I do? ADVIPERNIE : Probably the hardest thing is starting, and having the money to be able to start. The best thing to do is go to a NASCAR short track and start there.

Question : I think you are a great Racer.. Who do you think are the best three racers after you?????? ADVIPERNIE : I think Dale Earnhardt is one of the best. Richard Petty is and was one that was really really good, and Jeff Gordon is right up there.

Question : hey Ernie, how is your new son? ADVIPERNIE : He is doing really good. He is 4/5 weeks old now and going great. Thanks for asking.

Question : Hi Ernie, Since my son-in-law, the "CAR GUY" is still at work he asked me to ask you if you will be retiring soon? He is a great fan of yours. I am just getting into car racing...see ya on the circuit. Thank you... =) ADVIPERNIE : I don't plan on retiring for quite a while. I feel I have a few more years left and until I feel like I can't get the job done, I am going to keep on racing.

Question : Ernie, what perspective on the upstart year that young Jeremy Mayfield is having this year? What is the transition from Ford to Pontiac been for you? ADVIPERNIE : Jeremy is having an AWESOME year. He is a great race car driver, and he has a great future in WC racing.

Question : Is it a real rush for you when you drive a race car?? ADVIPERNIE : Definitely! That is something I grew up doing and it has been a major part of my life for a long time. I am sitting here doing it right now with my game!

Question : I am a big fan anyway how many cars do you have? ADVIPERNIE : Race cars, I think we have 15 in the shop. We have a good selection and I feel like we have everything we need to win races.

Question : Ernie what track is the most difficult for you? ADVIPERNIE : Well... I am not real sure which is the MOST difficult. All the WC is tough, but the most difficult one to finish the race is Darlington.

Question : How do you like the new track in Fort Worth ,Texas? ADVIPERNIE : We only ran there the one time. So far, we haven't had a whole lot of luck there. It will be a good race track, but it will take some time to get used to it.

Question : Is it hard to go from racing to driving in everyday traffic? ADVIPERNIE : No, it really isn't. You go the speed that everyone else is and when you are in a race car hopefully you can go FASTER than everyone else ;)

Question : DO YOU EVER GET SCARED? ADVIPERNIE : No, I never get scared. I don't think I ever get scared, but I respect what a race car and what the speed can do to you.

Question : How hard will it be for Gordon to repeat? ADVIPERNIE : The WC is getting tougher everyday, but he has a chance at it.

Question : Off the track, what would be your favorite car to own? ADVIPERNIE : I own a couple of mustangs and I never drive them. One is my little girls and one is my little boys... I don't really get into the street cars, but I love owning my 2 mustangs. They are a 94 and a 96.

Question : Is there a specific diet you are on during the season? ADVIPERNIE : No, not really. I do a workout program everyday, and I have a trainer that works me out 3 to 4 days a week.

Question : Do you have any nicknames Ernie? ADVIPERNIE : I am not real sure of any but a lot of people have called me a lot of different names! LOL Question : What is your favorite food? ADVIPERNIE : I like to eat chicken.

Question : What do you enjoy most about racing? ADVIPERNIE : My daughter says hi to everyone. I really enjoy the challenge of each race track and the competition and get out there and do a good job and have a good race.

Question : is there any plans to bring on another driver on your team ??? ADVIPERNIE : Right now there are no plans. Things change every day though.

Question : What do really think about the turn on Jeff Gordon? Personally, I feel he's one of the best new racing faces and wish him all the luck - you, too, of course! ADVIPERNIE : Jeff Gordon is a great race car driver, and a lot of people have gotten jealous. He is such a good race and say he hasn't earned his spot, but he has.

Question : hi Ernie, how do you feel your team is coming along so far this year, being a new team for you and all? ADVIPERNIE : I really feel like the team has done a great job and it is just a matter of time before we can put the package together and run at the front each week.

Question : Which car did you like better last years or this years? ADVIPERNIE : I like this year's car better, and I am really enjoying this year more than last.

Question : Ernie my grandson is going to start in soap box racing his dad is going to get him started since his hopes of racing could not come true so he will start his son out. Any advice? ADVIPERNIE : You just have to keep your faith up whether it is soap box or NASCAR. It is great for a father to spend time with his son to get that to work. Thanks to everyone for coming out tonight. I appreciate your questions and time. Take care!