There isn't anyone who hasn't found themselves rooting for Ernie Irvan and the No. 28 Texaco Havoline Ford at some time or another the past two seasons.

Irvan's comeback from an August 1994 testing crash at Michigan is well-documented. His return to the cockpit of a Robert Yates Racing Ford was a victory in itself.

But what happened on July 14 of 1996 in the Jiffy Lube 300 in New Hampshire was nothing short of miraculous. Irvan insisted his comeback would not be complete without a win.

And while many may have privately questioned the validity of that claim, he never doubted that his ability and instinct would resurface. The win was a singular symbol of the faith and perseverance that marked every step of his return.

Irvan went on to win again, at the Miller 400 in September, where he and Jeff Gordon dueled like a bull and a matador over the final lap.

Irvan tossed in a pole -- at the Winston Select 500 in April -- 12 top-5s and 16 top-10s, which helped bump his total winnings to $1,480,167.

Important numbers, all. But in truth, the only ones that mattered were those that represent his car -- No. 28 -- and that which represented where he stands in the hearts of his fans -- No. 1.

Irvan started racing in 1974; his first NASCAR Winston Cup Series event was Sept. 13, 1987 at Richmond, Va.

The next year he finished a close second to Ken Bouchard for Rookie of the Year. His first win came in his 79th start, at Bristol, in the 1990 Busch 500.

His first pole position came in his 65th attempt, in the that year's other event at Bristol.

Info Provided By www.nascar.com

NOTICE: These pages contain .mid (audio) files that will be playing in the background if you are using NETSCAPE. Turn on your speakers!!!

Member of the Internet Link Exchange