A grand return of the International Race of Champions is on the cards. Led by former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief and NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham, the competition could appear as soon as late 2024. Following a collaboration with former Michael Waltrip Racing owner Rob Kauffman, the duo created IROC Holdings LLC to take over the rights to the IROC brand. It was quite a revolutionary move from Evernham.
Speaking to Racing America, the 3-time Cup Series-winning crew chief disclosed the plans after the acquisition of IROC. Having been involved in the foundation of the SRX Series with Tony Stewart, Ray Evernham has a fair idea about how to get a competition going from the roots. While the course of action has yet to be finalized, retrieving IROC cars worldwide is one of Evernham’s targets.
Ray Evernham believes IROC has some checks to go through before going fully functional
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The return of IROC could bring a wind of change to the American racing scenario. A lucrative option for famed motorsports professionals from all over the world to gather on the race track isn’t appeasing just in terms of grandeur and fans but also revenue and popularization. However, before laying the cornerstone for the legendary competition, Ray Evernham wants to recreate the IROC culture among the fans.
One of the ways to do that is to start with a debriefing of IROC history through exhibition races and collection displays. Ray Evernham himself is the owner of multiple IROC cars and collectibles. Hence, it is only natural for him to take this approach.
Speaking on the Bullring Hot Lap, Ray Evernham stated, “Right now, we are looking at the historical part of the IROC series. You know, gathering, finding out where a lot of these cars have gone, bringing back some of the original drivers to get together just to build excitement and whatnot.”
Bringing back IROC cars also means that the vehicles must undergo a safety check. The historical cars can be deemed race-worthy only after satisfying certain criteria set by the competition’s guidelines.
“About the series, do some static and on-track displays certainly before the end of the year, and when I say here, I don’t necessarily mean in Charlotte, but get some IROC reunions going, get the cars back out where they’re at, see if they’re track-worthy and work towards getting some kind of on-track competition going with these vintage cars. Right now, we are in the early stages of planning, but the response has been incredible to what we announced yesterday.”
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IROC has created an idea that has been favored by racing fans since time immemorial. Pitting the world’s best drivers from various disciplines against each other in common machinery is a true test of their abilities. With Ray Evernham continuously searching for options that will evolve the racing culture in the country, IROC could be the next big thing. Further in the conversation, Evernham discussed the possibility of an exhibition race in 2024.
Recalling vintage cars on the track will be essential for an exhibition race in 2024
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Displaying a part of IROC’s rich history is one way to reignite the craze for the competition. Ray Evernham plans to do the same in 2024. With an exhibition race in the works, getting the old cars into racing condition could be instrumental in attracting the crowds.
When asked about the feasibility of it, Evernham responded, “I’m not sure if there would be an actual competition-style exhibition. But right now, we are targeting putting some of these vintage cars on track in an overall exhibition.”
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“So not only will we be able to see things static, but our plan is to get everybody together and watch these cars go around the racetrack. Anytime you’re bringing vintage cars out, some of them are prepared to race, and some of them are in original condition.”
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Following financial instability in 2007, IROC had to be shut down, and in the following year, the cars and other memorabilia were auctioned away. Ray Evernham owns a small part of them as well. With the series’ return imminent, it might be the right time to bring these vintage cars back to the race track. “I think the most important thing we want to do is get all of the people who have these IROC cars around the country and the world,” said Ray Evernham.
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“Get them together in one spot and the ones that can drive around the race track and put on a little exhibition for the fans. I know that some of the drivers from the IROC series have kept their cars and they are willing to put them on display. I also know that some of the cars, including the IROC cars that I have, can go on the racetrack. So it’d be a combination”, he added further.
Over the years, legendary drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Mario Andretti, Geoff Bodine, and Mark Martin have shaken up the competition with their racing prowess. IROC’s return could mean some modern-day legends get another chance at beating the world’s most elite drivers on the track.
