R.I.P. IROC?
The International Race of Champions has come a long way from its debut at Riverside International Raceway in 1973. The following year the late great Mark Donohue became the first driver to win the championship behind the wheel of a Porsche Carrera RSR.
IROC has also run the Pontiac Trans Am, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Daytona and Chevrolet Camaro at various times.
Last years IROC Champion, Tony Stewart, may be the last. In 2004 Diageo, through their brand Crown Royal, assumed sponsorship of the series. At the end of last years events they announced they would no longer pony up the required $1 million payout to the IROC champion and pulled out of the series.
Normally the first IROC event is run during Daytona Speedweeks in February. At just short of a month until Daytona becomes the world’s the center of speed IROC remains sponsorless. Without a replacement, IROC officials said yesterday they would delay the start of the season.
That sounds very much like the “checks in the mail,” “we’re from the Gob’ment we’re here to help you” and an email with flashing graphics that says “CLICK HERE!” (A “click” that’s immediately followed by a complete melt-down of your CPU, your Camry’s electronic fuel injection and the toaster you got for Christmas)
A sad ending if this is the final death rattle of IROC. 2006 saw the return of a road circuit to the series for the first time since 1991, a return to its roots as it were, and the promise of IROC’s domination by NASCAR drivers being mitigated loomed on the horizon.
Now it’s likely the sun has set over that same horizon.
IROC facts of note: Because of a contractual conflict Dale Earnhardt, Jr. couldn’t compete in the series with Crown Royal as the sponsor.
1993 featured a “duel Champions” Davey Allison and Terry Labonte. Davey Allison was killed in a helicopter crash after three races had been completed with the final race, at Michigan International Speedway remaining. Labonte was asked to drive the final race, and Allison’s and Labonte’s points combined were enough for the IROC championship. Labonte’s winnings went to a trust fund for Allison’s two children, Krista and Robbie.
After Dale Earnhardt was killed in the Daytona 500, IROC went to only eleven cars for the remaining three races. Following a 2004 rule change in IROC where drivers would be using their personal numbers, IROC added one exception - the number 3 could not be used. Any driver whose number in a series is 3 must use 03 in IROC.
Mark Martin leads the series in all-time wins (13) and championships (4).
A final note: Today makes the end of the nomination process for the 2007 Bloggies. You can nominate Full Throttle here and while there fill in the blanks for The Dude and 4ever3 for Best Sports Blog.
And if you don’t?
My black Labrador is already cowering in the corner at the prospect, The Dude says he’ll swear off NASCAR and switch to greyhounds and 4ever3, well let’s just say Molson better gear up another production line.
IROC, International Race of Champions, NASCAR, Daytona, Sports, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
IROC? international? I recall one race when Kenny Brack was the only “furriner” in the whole grid. It may have started as a great idea but it has become a joke, its far to NASCAR & oval centered.
I read the same thing Marc, and it’s not of much surprise.
@Peter:
The only reason it appears centered with NASCAR is so that there’s people there to watch it. I can’t imagine someone paying a separate entrance fee for it. The place would be a ghost town worse than the 1 race Busch deal at Martinsville.
Thanks for the plugs this past week. I’ve been so busy lately I’ve been less diligent to my blogging friends. I’ve been reading them, but not leaving comments.
Anyway, I for one enjoy the IROC series and would be sad to see it go. I also think that they did need to have more racing stars included in the series. They should have taken Tony up on his offer of keeping their $1 million if they raced at his dirt track next year - he probably would have even found some way to supply them with the dirt cars they would have needed too.
The failure at being a legit International series has been its largest downfall in the last number of years.
And truth be known the series never was a big draw as far as butts in the seats and was always geared towards those planted on the couch.
Maybe they could develop a new series called IREC. Invite Mikey, Robby Gordon, JJ Yeley, Kyle Busch, John Andretti, etc.
Maybe they could develop a new series called IREC. Invite Mikey, Robby Gordon, JJ Yeley, Kyle Busch, John Andretti, etc.
Who would be the test driver?
Buckshot Jones?