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IL: NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Classic Chicago Street Race The race cars do laps on the course of the NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race in downtown Chicago on June 2, 2023. This is day 2 of the racing series and is a 2.2-mile stretch of track and 100 laps. This is NASCARS 75th anniversary and the first street race contested in the NASCAR Cup Series, and features the Chicago Skyline and Lake Michigan as its backdrop. Chicago IL NOxUSExINxGERMANY PUBLICATIONxINxALGxARGxAUTxBRNxBRAxCANxCHIxCHNxCOLxECUxEGYxGRExINDxIRIxIRQxISRxJORxKUWxLIBxLBAxMLTxMEXxMARxOMAxPERxQATxKSAxSUIxSYRxTUNxTURxUAExUKxVENxYEMxONLY Copyright: xAlexandraxBuxbaumx Editorial use only Image Credits: Imago
via Imago
IL: NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Classic Chicago Street Race The race cars do laps on the course of the NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race in downtown Chicago on June 2, 2023. This is day 2 of the racing series and is a 2.2-mile stretch of track and 100 laps. This is NASCARS 75th anniversary and the first street race contested in the NASCAR Cup Series, and features the Chicago Skyline and Lake Michigan as its backdrop. Chicago IL NOxUSExINxGERMANY PUBLICATIONxINxALGxARGxAUTxBRNxBRAxCANxCHIxCHNxCOLxECUxEGYxGRExINDxIRIxIRQxISRxJORxKUWxLIBxLBAxMLTxMEXxMARxOMAxPERxQATxKSAxSUIxSYRxTUNxTURxUAExUKxVENxYEMxONLY Copyright: xAlexandraxBuxbaumx Editorial use only Image Credits: Imago
SRX series, with the recent announcement of putting 2024 on hold, had allowed IROC to creep back in. While SRX is not out of business for the time being, they are looking for long-term sustainable strategies. IROC, on the other hand, despite being revitalized after 18 years, has yet to pan out a plan for its series. So for the time being, both SRX and IROC are somewhat in the same pickle. Looking for a plan that suits their ideas and growth potential.
IROC is looking to have at least one race under the new leadership of Ray Evernham and Rob Kauffman with the historic IROC cars while exploring future opportunities. Both SRX and IROC are exploring their best route forward owing to the changes in industry trends, and by the looks of it, former NASCAR driver Landon Cassil has made some exhilarating claims and suggestions for IROC going forward.
Landon Casill suggested a star-studded lineup for a single race a year for IROC
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IROC and SRX are more or less similar in the way they have run things so far. However, IROC has a rich history, having been in business since 1973. Race car drivers for NASCAR, Indy Car, sports car racing, and even sprint cars made their appearance in IROC back in the day. However, it is 2024 now, and a whole lot has changed in the world of motorsports, and how IROC makes their next move can make or break their future aspirations.
With questions looming around IROC’s new approach regarding venues, drivers, and cars, Landon Cassil has made some bold suggestions for IROC that could see them eclipse the SRX series. Speaking on the Money Lap show on YouTube, he said, “One race, if IROC had one race all season that had Kyle Larson, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Ryan Blaney, and Alex Palou, you know what I mean.”
“Like I had those six drivers, or you name, you can figure out the other three. If they had one race all season and had those drivers in it that would be better than the 10 races that SRX did last year, or eight races they did last. It would be a thousand percent better.” It would be a sight to see all these heavyweights of their respective disciplines on the same racetrack, but for the time being, this seems far-fetched or unachievable.
Read More: Tony Stewart Steered SRX Series Was Doomed For Failure and Here is Why
After a promising start to the SRX series, which was expected to be a modern IROC, something went wrong with them, so they had to take a call to postpone the 2024 event.
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Looks like SRX’s problems were their own
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Launched in 2021, SXR gave off nostalgic IROC vibes. With the likes of Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, Chase Elliot, and even Bill Elliot making their appearances, it was a solid start to the venture. However, it was during the second season that the cookie started to crumble as Ray Evernham decided to part ways, for you know what? The Middle East race ideas certainly backfired, and by the third season, they had lost their touch with real American racing, so they had to make a tough call.
Tony Stewart, who was one of the founding members of SRX, has also got his hands full. Managing a Cup team, overseeing his family responsibilities, and at the same time taking care of his passion for racing do take their toll. Even for someone like Tony Stewart, the revival of SRX looks like a behemoth task, and this sure is a worrying sign for the series.
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Read More: Tony Stewart Steered SRX Series Was Doomed For Failure and Here is Why
All things said and done, what do you think? Will SRX manage to stage a comeback with IROC’s revival? Do let us know in the comments below.
