NASCAR WCUP: Ernie Irvan, M & M's Racing Preview, Brickyard 400

4 August 1999

"M&M's" Racing/Ernie Irvan
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Notes And Quotes

Ernie Irvan's Indianapolis Motor Speedway Highlights... * Ernie Irvan and the "M&M's" Racing Team look to make history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when the Winston Cup Series visits the 2.5-mile facility August 5-7. When the No. 36 "M&M's" Pontiac makes its run, Irvan will be driving for a place in history as the first driver to win three consecutive pole positions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Irvan was top qualifier in 1997 and followed that up in 1998, setting the new track record at 179.394 mph and time of 50.169 seconds with the "M&M's" Racing Team.

* "M&M's" driver Ernie Irvan has a total of two pole positions, one top-five and three top-10 finishes in four starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

* The "M&M's" Racing Team tested at Indianapolis Motor Speedway July 19-20 as part of the General Motors test session. Of the times posted at both test sessions, no one exceeded Irvan's track record.

* Irvan's performance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1998 was his best for the season, finishing sixth after starting from the pole position. Two weeks after their successful run at Indy, the "M&M's" Racing Team matched their season-best effort at Michigan, again starting first and finishing sixth.

* Irvan notes the test at Indianapolis last year as a turning point for the "M&M's" Racing Team. Following their 1998 test at the track, the team won three pole positions (Indianapolis, Michigan and Martinsville) and five top-10 finishes.

Ernie Irvan's thoughts on racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway... "There is nothing I would like more than to win a third pole position at Indianapolis, except maybe to win there. The M&M's" Racing Team went there last year and tested, then we went back and won the pole position and set a new track record. To hold the track record at Indy says a lot of this team. I don't know whether or not it will stand, but no one broke it during testing so that's a good sign. This track is very sensitive to weather, so I'd almost bet that if it is cool there is a chance we could see a new track record."

Ernie Irvan at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Year Event St Fin Earnings 
1994 Brickyard 400 17 17 52,000
1996 Brickyard 400 15 2 267,285
1997 Brickyard 400 1 10 143,560
1998 Brickyard 400 1 6 159,260 

Starts Wins Top Five Top 10 Poles Earnings
Total 4 0 1 3 2 622,105


Ernie Irvan's 1999 Winston Cup Cumulative Results
Date Race St. Fin. Earnings Status
2/14 Daytona International Speedway 31 14 $123,584
Running
2/21 North Carolina Speedway 34 29 32,675 Running 
3/7 Las Vegas Motor Speedway 40 6 95,075 Running
3/14 Atlanta Motor Speedway 21 7 40,220 Running 
3/21 Darlington Raceway 37 24 32,235 Running 
3/28 Texas Motor Speedway 22 37 45,950 Engine
4/11 Bristol Motor Speedway 41 43 32,161 Handling 
4/18 Martinsville Speedway 7 22 34,150 Running 
4/25 Talladega Superspeedway 19 40 36,050 Accident
5/2 California Speedway 26 35 43,650 Running
5/15 Richmond International Raceway 25 33 31,475 Running
5/30 Charlotte Motor Speedway 20 36 37,500 Engine
6/ 6 Dover Downs 29 35 37,150 Running
6/13 Michigan Speedway 2 7 47,725 Running
6/20 Pocono Raceway 34 8 54,415 Running
6/27 Sears Point Raceway 40 30 35,070 Running 
7/3 Daytona International Speedway 30 9 52,175 Running
7/11 New Hampshire Intl. Speedway 20 21 49,425 Running
7/25 Pocono Raceway 24 11 47,215 Running
8/7 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 
8/15 Watkins Glen International 
8/22 Michigan Speedway 
8/28 Bristol Motor Speedway 
9/5 Darlington Raceway 
9/11 Richmond International Raceway 
9/19 New Hampshire Intl. Speedway 
9/26 Dover Downs 
10/ 3 Martinsville Speedway 
10/10 Charlotte Motor Speedway 
10/17 Talladega Superspeedway 
10/24 North Carolina Motor Speedway 
11/7 Phoenix International Raceway 
11/14 Homestead Motorsports Complex 
11/ 21 Atlanta Motor Speedway

Totals: Starts Top 5 Top 10 Poles Outside Poles Money Won*
19 0 5 0 1 $946,370

*Includes non-points money

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