Where is ... E. Irvan?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- When Ernie Irvan was a kid growing up in Salinas, Calif., his father Vic would serve as crew chief on his go-kart, instilling a will to win that would stay with the younger Irvan all his life.

That life was nearly ended in 1994, when Irvan crashed during a practice lap around Michigan International Speedway. Initially given a 10 percent change of survival, Irvan returned to racing just 13 months later, eventually retiring after a 313-start, 15-win career.

"I am somebody from California who didn't know anything about NASCAR," Irvan said. "I almost lost my life, but I feel very fortunate to have done what I done.

Irvan was in Charlotte in January for the official groundbreaking for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and he doesn't have any idea what the criteria for induction should be.

"Everything, I mean, there is so much that has happened in NASCAR, it wouldn't even be fair for me to say this is what it takes," Irvan said. "There is more about the history of NASCAR than what I have known."

Irvan, 48, announced his retirement in 1999, just two weeks after another crash at Michigan left him wondering whether he would survive a third accident.

At the time of his retirement, his son Jared was still in diapers, and his daughter Jordan had just started school. Dodge wasn't even in the sport, and TNN televised races. Irvan retired with over $11 million in winnings, but Jimmie Johnson earned more than that in a single season in 2006.

Times have changed, but life has been cyclical. Irvan now works as crew chief for Jared, his look-alike son, who competes in quarter-midgets at tracks near their Lake Norman home.

"I am not a very good crew chief, but we have been having a lot of fun doing that," Irvan said. "Watching my daughter grow up and being a part of her life, that is something I wasn't able to when I was racing every week. I am able to do that now."

Irvan also spends time promoting head injury awareness, appearing at tracks around the country, using his story to raise money. He traveled to five races last year, most notably at Michigan, where he took place in the Leadership and Awareness to Promote Safety Walk.

He doesn't like to venture into the garage much, even though NASCAR still sends him a yearly pass every year. He still takes advantage of that, but it is less than enjoyable. Very few people liked driving a racecar more than Ernie Irvan, and he still misses the sensation, sights and smells.

"[NASCAR] started [sending passes] the last couple of years so I feel very fortunate to have done that," Irvan said. "Again, when you're a racecar driver, it is hard for me to go and watch.

"I love to go to the racetrack and be a part of it, but it is hard to go to the racetrack and not be involved in it."

It is much easier to watch it on television.

"The television gets me so up and close, and then if I want a beer, I can go get one," Irvan said.

Irvan's retirement has been comfortable. When he was driving, Irvan used outside help to manage his money, some of it in real estate, and the financial security made it easier for him to walk away.

A fire destroyed his home in March 2000, taking many of the trophies he had amassed during his career. NASCAR later provided Irvan with duplicates of the hardware, which he put on display in a rebuilt home.

"A lot of the things that has happened," Irvan said. "I have learned a lot from that, and I have been able to have the financing put aside to be able to do what I am doing."