toledoblade.com --

BROOKLYN, Mich. - Ernie Irvan hugged the white line, came out of each turn at the same speed with which he had entered it, and led the pack around Michigan International Speedway whenever he wanted to yesterday.

It wasn't a race - the former Winston Cup fan favorite retired from driving stock cars in 1999 - but just a chance to take a lap for a cause so close to Irvan's heart. About 600 people joined Irvan on the inagural Leadership and Awareness to Promote Safety (LAPS) Walk around MIS, which will benefit the Brain
Injury Association of Michigan, and Irvan's own Race2Safety
organization.

Irvan, who sustained a traumatic brain injury when he was nearly killed in a crash at MIS in 1994, and then again at the same track exactly five years later, prompting his retirement, is
encouraging safety in racing, and in every aspect of life through his charity.

"We can do a lot more in our everyday lives to prevent brain injuries," Irvan said. "I'd like to see everyone here, when they buy that next car, make sure it has side airbags. And make sure kids under 15 always wear a helmet for bike riding, skateboarding, rollerblading. We could save a life a day just by doing that."

Irvan had a few friends over to help with the fund-raiser - current Nextel Cup drivers Mark Martin, Greg Biffle and Bobby Labonte, as well as former drivers Jerry Nadeau, Ned Jarrett, and Bobby and Donny Allison.

"When Ernie comes calling, I want to be there," said Martin, who has announced this is his
final year in the Nextel Cup
Series. "He's a very good friend and this is a great cause. I see a lot of good coming out of Ernie's efforts with this."

That sentiment was shared by many of the walkers, who
donated $100 each to take part in the event.

Diane Parker of Millbury raised more than $1,200 in sales of a T-shirt she designed for the event, and is also conducting a raffle of collectible racing items.

"My daughter is a huge Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan, and when she saw something about this Ernie Irvan walk in a racing magazine, we just decided to get involved,'' Parker said. "It is such a good cause, that we wanted to do more than just sign up and walk.''

Martin said if his schedule permits, he will be there again.

"The older I get, the more I realize how important memories are," Martin said, "and I think this will be a very special memory for all of us for years to come. We almost lost Ernie here about 10 years ago, and seeing this crowd of race fans out there walking around the track for his charity tells you how much he still means to the racing
community."

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