NASCAR Legend Ray Evernham Revives IROC Name
Retired NASCAR crew chief Ray Evernham and former team co-owner Rob Kauffman have formed IROC Holdings LLC to bring back the International Race of Champions brand.
Reviving IROC
NASCAR legend Ray Evernham and Rob Kauffman, former co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, have joined forces to resurrect the International Race of Champions (IROC) brand. Their joint venture, IROC Holdings LLC, has acquired the rights to the iconic racing series.
The plan is to host an IROC-branded event in 2024, featuring historic cars from the original series. Both Evernham and Kauffman expressed their excitement about the opportunity to revive this beloved championship and are eager to explore future possibilities.
The Legacy of IROC
IROC originally launched in 1974 as a spec Porsche championship, attracting renowned drivers like Richard Petty, AJ Foyt, and Mark Donohue from various racing disciplines. In 1975, the series transitioned to its signature Camaros and continued with cars resembling NASCAR stock cars until its hiatus in 2006.
Throughout its 34-year history, IROC crowned multiple-time champions such as Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, AJ Foyt, and Al Unser Jr. The championship showcased thrilling races between the best drivers from different racing backgrounds.
Challenges Ahead
If Evernham and Kauffman aim to recreate the success of the original IROC championship, one of their main challenges will be attracting top names from various racing series worldwide. While the Superstars Racing Experience (SRX) series, co-founded by Evernham and Tony Stewart, incorporates elements inspired by IROC, it primarily features retired or aging stars.
To establish IROC as a modern series, the new founders would need to find a way to bring in a competitive field of talented drivers. The final IROC season in 2006 showcased champions from IndyCar and NASCAR, highlighting the need to capture that same level of talent in the current era.
