IROC, which operated from 1973 to 2006, featured a few of the best racers throughout the globe, bringing them collectively to compete in equal tools on varied kinds of race tracks.
Evernham gained three NASCAR Cup titles with legendary driver Jeff Gordon, in addition to 47 races. He additionally helped kind the Celebrity Racing Expertise (SRX) alongside fellow NASCAR Corridor of Famer Tony Stewart and NASCAR government George Pyne. He later left his place with the sequence, however stays as an investor.
An official launch on Monday learn as follows: “IROC Holdings LLC (IROC Holdings), a three way partnership firm created by NASCAR Corridor of Fame member Ray Evernham and former NASCAR Cup Group Proprietor and enterprise capitalist Rob Kauffman, introduced the formation of the three way partnership and the acquisition of the rights to the IROC model. Often known as IROC (Worldwide Race of Champions), a sequence of races was held yearly from 1973 to 2006. IROC introduced collectively the best drivers from all types of motorsport to compete towards one another in iconic vehicles on historic tracks. Though the annual occasions led to 2006, the legacy and recognition of the IROC model has continued all through the years. IROC Holdings plans to deliver the historic model again to life.
“IROC Holdings has been fashioned to accommodate the enterprise operations with the intent to have an IROC racing occasion in 2024 with historic IROC race vehicles whereas exploring future alternatives. The corporate will initially be primarily based in Mooresville, N.C.”
Picture by: Motorsport Pictures
Eddie Cheever,Jr. leads Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett
The IROC sequence was initially created by Les Richter, Roger Penske and Mike Phelps. It was promoted as a form of all-star motorsports occasion.
Drivers competed in identically ready inventory vehicles (most just lately the Pontiac Trans Am). Every automobile was set-up by the identical group of mechanics in an effort to make the races a check of driver capacity. The drivers invited – sometimes 12 – got here from a broad vary of racing disciplines together with NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, sports activities automobile racing and dash vehicles.
Mark Donohue was the primary driver to win an IROC title in 1974. His victory within the fourth and closing race of that season was the final of his profession. As destiny would have it, he died in a wreck throughout observe for the 1975 Formulation 1 Austrian Grand Prix on the Osterreichring.
IROC bumped into monetary difficulties in 2007 and went on hiatus. In March 2008, the sequence introduced it had auctioned off its tools and vehicles and the sequence was discontinued.
Picture by: Robert LeSieur / Motorsport Pictures
Ryan Newman battles between Helio Castroneves and JJ Yeley
Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Sequence champion, was the ultimate IROC champion in 2006. Mark Martin gained essentially the most titles with 5, his most up-to-date coming in 2005. Martin additionally holds the report for all-time particular person IROC race wins (13).
A full listing of IROC champions, which incorporates racing icons comparable to Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt, might be discovered beneath.
1974 – Mark Donohue
1975 – Bobby Unser
1976 – A.J. Foyt
1977 – A.J. Foyt
1978 – Al Unser
1979 – Mario Andretti
1980 – Bobby Allison
*1984 – Cale Yarborough
1985 – Harry Gant
1986 – Al Unser Jr.
1987 – Geoffrey Bodine
1988 – Al Unser Jr.
1989 – Terry Labonte
1990 – Dale Earnhardt
1991 – Rusty Wallace
1992 – Ricky Rudd
1993 – Davey Allison
1994 – Mark Martin
1995 – Dale Earnhardt
1996 – Mark Martin
1997 – Mark Martin
1998 – Mark Martin
1999 – Dale Earnhardt
2000 – Dale Earnhardt
2001 – Bobby Labonte
2002 – Kevin Harvick
2003 – Kurt Busch
2004 – Matt Kenseth
2005 – Mark Martin
2006 – Tony Stewart
*IROC was not held 1981-1983*
