CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Ernie Irvan is looking for a new team.

Irvan, who made one of auto racing's great comebacks after he was nearly killed in a crash three years ago, won't be driving for Robert Yates after this season.

Yates, owner of Robert Yates Racing, said Tuesday he is not renewing Irvan's contract, and the decision is his alone.

"I've worried and wrestled with it for more than a year and it's not a simple, one-answer deal," said Yates, who also fields Fords for Dale Jarrett in NASCAR's Winston Cup stock car series.

IRVAN IS 16TH IN THE WINSTON CUP standings. Jarrett, who has two victories this season, is fourth.

"There comes a time in many relationships when the best course for the continued success of all parties is to follow separate paths," Irvan said.

The 38-year-old driver said he will announce his plans for 1998 "in the near future."

Irvan bought out the end of his contract with Morgan-McClure Racing late in the 1993 season to join Yates as a replacement for Davey Allison, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier that year.

He got off to a strong start, winning twice in 1993 and taking three more wins and contending for the title in 1994.

IN AUGUST OF THAT YEAR, IRVAN crashed during practice at Michigan International Speedway and sustained critical brain and chest injuries. He was given only a 10 percent chance of surviving, but he recovered and rode for Yates in October 1995.

Meanwhile, Yates had hired Jarrett as an interim driver. When Irvan came back full time for the start of the 1996 season, he had Jarrett as his teammate.

Irvan made his comeback complete with a victory one year ago this weekend at Loudon, N.H. He also won later in the season at Richmond, Va., and again last month at the same Michigan track where he was badly injured.

"I think Ernie and this team have done some great things together," Yates said. "With his courage and determination, he achieved some things that not many thought possible."

Yates said he is not ready to discuss Jarrett's teammate in 1998.

"Right now, I want to concentrate on winning as many races as we can while Ernie's still driving," he said.