2002 IROC NEWS, LINEUP and SCHEDULE
Updated 11-21-2002
Question: What is IROC?
Answer: International Race of Champions
The True Value International Race of Champions matches twelve drivers to do battle in equally prepared Pontiac Firebird Trans Am race cars. At the end of the fourth race the points are tallied and an IROC Champion is crowned. All the IROC race cars are equipped with Goodyear Eagle radial tires and specially finished with brilliant DuPont ChromaSystem colors. The True Value IROC series is sponsored by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and DuPont Automotive Finishes. The True Value IROC began in 1973 with a simple premise: Take 12 of the world's top drivers from different forms of motorsports, put them in identically prepared cars, give them a set of rules which virtually eliminates variables usually associated with motorsports (pit stops, qualifying, control over setups), and wave the green flag at them.
IROC 2002 News
- IROC back at 'Dega in 2003: The International Race of Champions [IROC] will return to Talladega Superspeedway next season, track officials announced Monday. The IROC race, which will be held during the speedway's April Winston Cup race weekend, returns after a one-year absence. Next season will mark the 13th IROC event at the track since 1984. "We're thrilled with the return of the IROC series at Talladega," said Grant Lynch, the track's president. "Talladega Superspeedway's knack for delivering competitive races is a perfect fit for the IROC series and its group of world-class drivers. We are also thrilled for our fans who will get to watch one of the most action-packed hours in auto racing." IROC is a four-race series composed of 12 drivers from various forms of motorsports. Winston Cup driver Kevin Harvick won the 2002 IROC championship. In 2002, IROC races were held at Daytona, California, Chicagoland and Indianapolis.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-29-2002)
- IROC to be revamped? Promoters of the International Race of Champions [IROC] are looking at revamping the long-running series, which has become anything but a true test of the world's best drivers. They may even add a road race to the 2003 format, if they can find a track to race on. On Saturday, Winston Cup driver Dale Jarrett won the final series race of the year at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a dull, 40-lap affair. "We'll be sitting down with a spreadsheet and exploring ways of adding some new elements to the series," said George Signore, who runs IROC with his brother Jay. "If we could find a road course that fits in with the driver's schedules, we'd do it in a heartbeat." When IROC started in 1974, it was run at Riverside International Raceway -- a 2.5-mile road course -- in California. It attracted drivers from all forms of racing, including Mark Donohue, Bobby Unser, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison and A. J. Foyt. The trend could change next year, however. "We'd like to diversify the series," Signore said. "If we can fit in with schedules and TV commitments, we could run at least one road race."(Detroit Free Press)(8-5-2002)
- Jarrett wins race, Harvick wins IROC championship: Dale Jarrett won Race 4 of True Value IROC XXVI at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, leading all 40 laps and becoming the 15th driver to lead an IROC event flag to flag. Kevin Harvick by virtue of his 5th place finish in the race becomes the first BGN representitive and the sixth rookie in series history to win the championship. See the IROC Racing site for Results.(8-3-2002)
Winners in 2002:
Race 1 at Daytona: Tony Stewart (2nd IROC win)
Race 2 at California: Kevin Harvock (first IROC win)
Race 3 at Chicago: Buddy Lazier (first IROC win)
Race 4 at Indianapolis: Dale Jarrett (2nd IROC win)
- Harvick after IROC title: IROC Points leader Kevin Harvick will attempt to become the sixth rookie to win the International Race of Champions title during this afternoon's 40-lap/100 mile season-finale. The IROC rookie champions are Mark Donohue (1974), Harry Gant (1985), Al Unser Jr. (1986), Geoffrey Bodine (1987) and Ricky Rudd (1992).(Fort Worth Star Telegram) AND All 11 drivers competing in the IROC have a mathematical chance to win the season title. Harvick, who will start last, is the points leader by 44 points. Al Unser Jr., who won't race while undergoing treatment for an alcohol problem, is five points back and tied with Tony Stewart.(Hoosier Times) The race will run Aug 3rd and be televised Aug 11th on ABC at 5:00pm/et.(8-3-2002)
- Schrader to run IROC for Lasoski: Long-time friend, Ken Schrader will substitute drive for the injured Danny Lasoski in the final round of the 2002 True Value IROC Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 3. Lasoski, the 2001 Pennzoil World of Outlaws Champion, was injured on Friday night during hot-laps in Mechanicsburg, PA. He was released today from a local hospital after being held for observation due to suffering a concussion and bruises to the lung, heart, shoulder and ankle. Before his NASCAR Winston Cup career, Schrader won numerous races and championships in various open wheel series' including USAC Sprint Car divisions. A fellow native of Missouri, Schrader said, "I've known Danny a very, very, long time. Before he (Lasoski) started driving, he would come out and help us when I was racing Sprint Cars. I'm very grateful and honored to have this opportunity to drive for him (Lasoski) in IROC at Indy. I'm just sorry it has to be under these circumstances. I was so happy for him when I heard he got the IROC invitation for this year and I know how bad he wants to be in that car himself on Saturday."
Lasoski said, "I don't know what hurts more, my body, or the fact that I have to miss this final race at the Brickyard. But, when the reality of how banged up I am began to sink in I knew somebody else was going to have to do it for me, and the one guy I really wanted to see do it was Kenny Schrader. We've been such great friends for so long, knowing that Kenny is going to run the race for me takes a little of the edge off of not being able to do it myself."
Schrader will accumulate final points for place Lasoski, whose car, with Schrader at the wheel, will start from the pole position. The
final race starting positions are determined by inverting the point standings. Schrader said, "The IROC races are a lot of fun and I want
to do a good job for Danny. I ran in the series a few years ago and just need to finish up better in the Winston Cup car so I can get back in it for myself." The Race-Four finale of the 2002 True Value IROC Series will be broadcast on ABC Sports, Sunday, Aug. 11 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.(IROC PR)(7-29-2002)
- IROC to run 11 cars at Indy, Unser not replaced: IROC officials conferred today regarding the July 18 announcement by Al Unser Jr., stating that he would immediately enter into a treatment program for substance abuse. IROC President, Jay Signore made the following statement on behalf of the True Value IROC Series: "We commend Al Unser Jr., on his decision to seek treatment and wish him all the best in his efforts toward recovery. We will run an 11-car field in the August 3 finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and will respectfully credit Al Unser Jr., with his current points in the final standings of the 2002 True Value IROC Series. We look forward to Al's return to autoracing and we're very confident he'll soon be adding more race wins and championships to his stellar career resume."(IROC Racing PR)(7-23-2002)
- Buddy Lazier wins IROC race at Chicago: NASCAR took a beating in Saturday's inaugural International Race of Champions event at Chicagoland Speedway. Buddy Lazier led all 67 laps in Saturday's race to gain his first IROC win. Fellow Indy Racing League drivers Al Unser Jr. and Helio Castroneves completed a sweep of the top three positions. The last time non-NASCAR drivers swept the top three was in 1996 at Talladega. Lazier is the first open-wheel driver since Eddie Cheever Jr. in the 2000 season to win an IROC event. He is also the first driver since Mark Martin in 1996 to lead every lap in an IROC race. "I'm still in state of shock, I can't believe it," Lazier said. "We've been here all week practicing. With our schedule this year I haven't had a chance to practice in the IROC cars much. Working with the IROC test drivers was really a lot of help this week. Starting up front I had a feeling it was going to be a big advantage. It was in the back of mind to really hammer down hard at the beginning in hopes of keeping the lead for a while." Kevin Harvick was the top-performing NASCAR driver, finishing fourth. He also took over the series points lead and holds a 44-39 advantage over Unser Jr. with the Aug. 3 race at Indianapolis remaining. "I just had my head on and thought about the trophy," Harvick said. "It's a cool trophy. I want to able to add 'IROC Champion' to my autograph card." Winston Cup driver Tony Stewart, who won the series opener at Daytona, took a big hit. He led the series points entering the race, but pulled off the track on Lap 20 and left his car without an explanation to IROC officials.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-13-2002)
- 2002 IROC Points after three races:
Kevin Harvick, 44
Al Unser Jr., 39
Tony Stewart, 38
Bobby Labonte, 37
Buddy Lazier, 37
Sam Hornish, 30
Scott Sharp, 29
Jack Sprague, 27
Sterling Marlin, 27
Helio Castroneves, 26
Dale Jarrett, 23
Danny Lasoski, 16
- Harvick wins IROC at Calif: Kevin Harvick held off a last-lap charge from defending series champion Bobby Labonte to win the second leg of the 2002 IROC series at California Speedway. Harvick started fourth but shot into the lead on the first lap and held it for 46 of the 50 laps in the all-star race featuring 12 drivers from different forms of auto racing. His victory wasn't all that easy, however. At several stages, Harvick had to fend off challenges from behind. First it was Labonte grabbing the lead on laps 9 and 10, then it was Tony Stewart moving up to challenge and lead laps 28 and 30. In each case, however, Harvick never dropped much more than a car length behind before fighting right back to the front. "This series is a lot of fun, racing against all of these guys," said Harvick, who is from Bakersfield, Calif. "I used to watch the IROC races on TV. For me to actually win one of these races is pretty cool, and to do it near home here if California is even neater." Stewart fell back after using up his tires during his battle with Harvick for the lead and eventually wound up sixth. Stewart, who won the first IROC race at Daytona this year, maintained the series lead with 35 points to 32 for Harvick and 30 for Labonte. Labonte went outside coming off Turn 2 on the final lap and pulled even as he raced Harvick down the backstretch, but Harvick made the inside line work, nosed back out in front coming off the final turn and held on for his first career IROC victory. "I did all I could do," Harvick said. "I drove as hard as I could drive. It was a lot of fun. We were waving at each other and having a good old time." He joined Randy Lajoie as the only drivers representing the NASCAR Grand National series to win an IROC race. While Stewart won at Daytona, Indy Racing League drivers Sam Hornish Jr. and Scott Sharp were right behind him as open-wheel stars fared surprisingly well. Saturday's race, however, showed a return to dominance by NASCAR drivers, as Dale Jarrett, Sterling Marlin, Jack Sprague and Stewart finished behind the front two. All six of the drivers from other forms of racing were behind them. Hornish finished 11th after being penalized for jumping the start, with only World of Outlaws driver Danny Lasoski behind him. No surprise, Labonte said. "We do this 38 weekends a year," he said. "I'm sure if we ran an IRL car in an IROC race they would whip us pretty bad." Sprague and Al Unser Jr. share fourth in the overall standings with 22 points after two races, followed by Hornish (21), Sharp and Sterling Marlin (19 each), Jarrett (17), Helio Castroneves and Lasoski (12 each) and Buddy Lazier (11). The series continues July 13 at Chicagoland Speedway, then concludes at Indianapolis in August.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-28-2002)
- IROC runs today: Dale Jarrett will start from the pole position in today's International Race of Champions [IROC] series race. Tony Stewart, the winner of the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway, will start last. The field consists of six drivers from NASCAR, five from the Indy Racing League and one from the World of Outlaws sprint car series. This is the second of four races on this year's IROC schedule. The series heads to Chicagoland Speedway on July 13 before wrapping up at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Aug. 3.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(4-27-2002)
- California IROC race: Mark Martin won both IROC races contested here, the first in 1997 and the second in 1998. In 1998, Martin topped Al Unser Jr. by 0.218 seconds. Unser Jr. returns in 2002 as part of the 12-driver field. In 1997, Martin beat Bobby Labonte to the stripe. Labonte also returns as part of this year's field. In addition to Labonte, last year's IROC champion, and Unser Jr., who is tied for the series lead with 11 all-time wins, returning IROC veterans include Dale Jarrett, Buddy Lazier, Sterling Marlin, Scott Sharp and Tony Stewart. Rookies competing in 2002 are Helio Castroneves, Kevin Harvick, Danny Lasoski, Jack Sprague and Sam Hornish Jr.
IROC CAR COLOR DRAW/STARTING POSITIONS: Car colors will be determined by a blind draw on Thursday, April 25th. The starting lineup is set in reverse order from the season-opening finish at Daytona. Here is the order 1-12 - Dale Jarrett, Helio Castroneves, Buddy Lazier, Kevin Harvick, Sterling Marlin, Bobby Labonte, Danny Lasoski, Al Unser Jr., Jack Sprague, Scott Sharp, Sam Hornish Jr., Tony Stewart.
IROC ON TV: Saturday's IROC race will air Sunday on ESPN at 1:00pm/et with Bob Jenkins, Scott Goodyear and Jeff Burton calling
the action.
- Stewart Wins IROC Race #1: Tony Stewart won his second race of Daytona's Speedweeks on Friday, driving past Indy Racing League star Al Unser Jr. two laps from the end and pulling away for his second career victory in the True Value International Race of Champions Series. The hard-charging Stewart, last year's Winston Cup runner-up, bided his time Friday, staying patiently behind two-time IROC champion Unser nearly the entire second half of the 40-lap, 100-mile race on Daytona's 2½-mile oval. Unser, a former CART series champion and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, appeared to have drawn the fastest of the identically prepared cars in the 12-man, all-star event. He started sixth, took the lead for the first time on lap four and wound up leading 23 laps. After quite a bit of two- and three-wide racing, with plenty of position changes through the first half of the race, it settled into a mostly single-file show with Unser up front and Stewart right behind, followed by IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr., fellow Indy-car star Scott Sharp and reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champ Jack Sprague. As the lead pack approached the third turn on lap 39, Stewart drove low on the banked track and pulled alongside Unser. Hornish, Sharp and Sprague followed Stewart and Unser never had a chance after that to break his tie with the late Dale Earnhardt for the most IROC wins (11). The top five finished in that order, with Unser a long way behind. Stewart, who won the non-points Bud Shootout last Sunday and finished a close second to Michael Waltrip on Thursday in one of the 125-mile qualifying races, is also one of the favorites heading into Sunday's Daytona 500. The 22-year-old Hornish, making his first IROC start, was thrilled with his runner-up finish. The only other caution of the race came on lap 20 when Buddy Lazier slid sideway in the fourth turn, bounced off the side of Hornish's car and regained control quickly enough to drive onto pit road without further damage. Danny Lasoski, the defending champion in the World of Outlaws sprint car series, finished sixth in his first race on pavement. He was followed by NASCAR stars Bobby Labonte, Sterling Marlin and Kevin Harvick, Lazier, Castroneves and NASCAR's Dale Jarrett.(ThatsRacin/AP), See the IROC Racing site for the full IROC Race Results at Daytona.(2-15-2002)
- IROC 2002 #1 Results:
1 10 Tony Stewart - Black NASCAR Winston Cup
2 12 Sam Hornish Jr. - Green Indy Racing League
3 1 Scott Sharp - Gold Indy Racing League
4 11 Jack Sprague - Medium Blue NASCAR Truck Series
5 6 Al Unser Jr. - Yellow Indy Racing League
6 2 Danny Lasoski - White World of Outlaws
7 8 Bobby Labonte - Silver NASCAR Winston Cup
8 3 Sterling Marlin - Dark Blue NASCAR Winston Cup
9 5 Kevin Harvick - Light Orange NASCAR Busch Series
10 7 Buddy Lazier - Light Blue Indy Racing League
11 4 Helio Castroneves - Dark Orange Indy Racing League
12 9 Dale Jarrett - Aqua NASCAR Winston Cup
- Sharp on pole for IROC: Scott Sharp and Danny Lasoski will have the best view when the 26th season of True Value IROC kicks off with Round 1 on Friday at Daytona International Speedway. Sharp, whose only previous True Value IROC experience was in 1994, pulled the envelope that awarded him the pole while Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaw champion, drew the outside pole. Rounding out the top five starting positions were Lasoski, Sterling Marlin, Helio Castroneves and Kevin Harvick. Round 1 of the True Value IROC will go green on Friday at 11 a.m. and will be followed by the season-opening Florida Dodge Dealers 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. See IROCRacing.com for Starting Line-Up for Race One.(2-14-2002)
- IROC restrained: All International Race of Champions Series [IROC] drivers will be required to wear head-and-neck restraint devices during practice and races this season, said IROC's George Signore. The IROC rule will be the same as the NASCAR rule, with drivers choosing between the Hutchens Device and the HANS device. Five IROC drivers -- Buddy Lazier, Sam Hornish, Helio Castroneves, Danny Lasoski and Scott Sharp -- were at Daytona International Speedway testing on Tuesday, as were IROC test drivers Jim Sauter, Dick Trickle, Dave Marcis and Andy Hillenburg.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-6-2002)
- Burton the Announcer: #99-Jeff Burton will announce the 2002 True Value IROC Series along side Bob Jenkins and Scott Goodyear on ESPN and ABC. Burton will now be doing double and sometimes triple duty on race weekends driving the #99 CITGO Ford in Cup, the #9 GAIN Ford in the BGN and announcing the IROC races. Burton has been a participant the past four IROC seasons with one win in 1998 at Michigan. He also finished second overall in points that same year in the IROC series. However, this is Burton's first stint as an announcer and he feels confident he can do the job. There will be 12 drivers representing four different race series in 2002 and that should make for some exciting racing. The combination of Burton, who will be representing NASCAR, and Goodyear, who will be representing the IRL, should also make for some colorful commentating.(Roush Racing PR)(1-26-2002)
- IROC Field Set: The 2002 True Value International Race of Champions [IROC] officials confirmed the entire 2002 lineup which will consist of five NASCAR Winston Cup drivers, five from the Indy Racing League, one from the Pennzoil World of Outlaws and one from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series.
From Cup: Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett, Sterling Marlin, Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick.
From the IRL: Sam Hornish Jr., Buddy Lazier, Scott Sharp, Helio Castroneves and Al Unser Jr
From the CTS: Jack Sprague(now in the BGN) and World of Outlaws champion Danny Lasoski will round out the field, making his first appearance and the first for an Outlaws driver since Steve Kinser ran in the 1996 series.(SpeedVision)(1-9-2002)
- Lasoski invited to IROC: World of Outlaws champion(sprint-car), Danny Lasoski has accepted an offer to drive in this year's International Race of Champions(IROC). Other drivers selected are Sam Hornish, Helio Castroneves, Kevin Harvick, Buddy Lazier, Scott Sharp, Jack(not Ed as the story has) Sprague and the story says Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart have been invited. Jeff Gordon was scheduled to compete but had to back out citing sponsorship commitments and time commitments resulting from becoming a team owner this year. The complete field is scheduled to be unveiled next week.(Kansas City Star)(1-8-2002)
- Sprague to IROC: three time CTS Champ Jack Sprague has been named to the True Value International Race of Champions (IROC) lineup for 2002. First race is at Daytona in February. The event will mark the first time a CTS driver has ever competed in the IROC ranks. Sprague will run the #24 NetZero Chevy in the 2002 BGN series(Motorsports Management Group PR)
Drivers so far:
Bobby Labonte, 2001 IROC Champ
Kevin Harvick, 2001 BGN Champ
Sam Hornish, 201 IRL Champ
Buddy Lazier, IRL
Scott Sharp, IRL
Jack Sprague, 2001 CTS Champ
Danny Lasoski, 2001 WoO Champ
other rumored drivers (five more to go):
Dale Earnhardt Jr? (supposedly been invited - has NOT accepted or been officially announced)
Tony Stewart?, 2nd in Cup standings (usually take the top five - now six with Gordon out - in Cup standings)
Sterling Marlin?, 3rd in Cup standings
Ricky Rudd?, 4th in Cup standings
Dale Jarrett?, 5th in Cup standings
Rusty Wallace?, 7th in Cup standings (6th was Labonte, already automatically in as IROC Champ)
Gil de Ferran?, 2001 CART Champ, now IRL
Helio Castroneves?, CART now IRL and 2001 Indy 500 Champ
Kenny Brack?, CART (conflict with Japan CART race and Calif IROC race make this unlikely)
Robby Gordon (rumored to be invited)
John Force would be fun
Jeff Gordon, 2001 Cup champ, turned down IROC for 2002(12-21-2001/1-8-2002)
- Gordon turns down IROC 2002: The ever-increasing demands put on Jeff Gordon by sponsors and by himself as the co-owner of the new #48 NASCAR Winston Cup team [Jimmie Johnson] have forced Gordonto cease his participation in the International Race of Champions series, announcing that he was declining the invitation forwarded him as the reigning NASCAR title winner. "It's definitely an honor to be recognized by IROC and compete against an elite group of drivers," said Gordon. "I'll never forget the first invitation I received from IROC in 1995. It was very exciting. Unfortunately, due to the demands on my time with the number of races on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule and commitments to my sponsors, in addition to my increased involvement with the No. 24 and No. 48 teams, I have to decline the invitation." Gordon becomes the first NASCAR champion since Bobby Allison won the 1983 series title not to follow his title-winning year with a run in the IROC series. Gordon has competed six times in the IROC series but has never had much success, taking the checkered flag in the 1998 season-opener in Daytona as his only IROC victory. Series officials confirmed that they had discussed the matter with Gordon before he announced his decision and that the move did not come as a surprise to them. The series currently has five of its 12 drivers for the 2002 series under wraps, including Indy Racing League champion Sam Hornish Jr., Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, Indy 500 polesitter Scott Sharp, all-time IRL victory leader Buddy Lazier and NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie-of-the-Year Kevin Harvick.(SpeedVision)(12-18-2001)
- IROC, testing, Harvick, another driver and some rules changes: Also testing at the Speedway on Monday was the True Value/IROC Series and test drivers Dave Marcis and Jim Sauter. Harvick, whose Busch Series title earned him a spot in the exclusive All-Star field, plans on hopping in one of those cars before the end of his testing session. On Tuesday, True Value/IROC testing will continue with open-wheel drivers expected to arrive, including Indy Racing League champion Sam Hornish Jr., Helio Castroneves(CART) and Scott Sharp. Guests can watch both Harvick’s test session and True Value/IROC testing free of charge with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.(DIS PR)(11-12-2001)
UPDATE: Returning to the 2000 aerodynamic package by removing the roof blade and reconfiguring the rear spoiler area to more closely adhere to the recent NASCAR mandate for Winston Cup cars, long-time test drivers Dave Marcis, and Jim Sauter are leading the driver corps so that each of the twelve race cars are equally prepared and competitive come race day. Also on the test schedule is the larger, Demon carburetor, first used at Indianapolis last year, with hopes that by adding 30-horsepower even more will be required of the driver by giving him an extra tool to work with in the ultra-competitive all-star series.(IROC PR)(11-13-2001)
- Harvick Tests at Daytona: #29-Kevin Harvick tested at Daytona International Speedway on Monday, preparing for the season-opening 44th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 17 with a pair of #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolets in a two-day test. Crew chief Kevin
Hamlin and the rest of the team were trying to figure out the new superspeedway rules package for Harvick’s first Daytona 500 start. “We haven’t had time to use a lot of our tests this year,” said Harvick, who’ll also win Winston Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. “They changed the rules on the superspeedway cars so we wanted to get a head start. We’ve already finished our car for the Daytona
500 and decided to come down here and use one of our tests. ” Harvick tested the car he’ll run in next year’s Daytona 500 and the car he ran at Talladega in October. Also testing at the Speedway on Monday was the True Value/IROC Series and test drivers Dave Marcis and Jim Sauter. Harvick, whose Busch Series title earned him a spot in the exclusive All-Star field, plans on hopping in one of those cars before the end of his testing session. On Tuesday, True Value/IROC testing will continue with open-wheel drivers expected to arrive, including Indy Racing League champion Sam Hornish Jr., Helio Castroneves(CART) and Scott Sharp. Guests can watch both Harvick’s test session and True Value/IROC testing free of charge with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.(DIS PR)(11-12-2001)
- Harvick in IROC: BGN champ and likely Winston Cup rookie of the year Kevin Harvick has accepted an invitation to compete in the four-race International Race of Champions (IROC) series in 2002. Harvick was extended the invitation that is traditionally given to the Grand National champion. Reigning series champion Jeff Green competed in the four-race series this season.(That's Racin')(11-10-2001)
- Some IROC Drivers named: 2001 IRL champ, Sam Hornish, Jr., 2000 IRL champion, Buddy Lazier, and the 1996 inaugural
IRL co-champion, Scott Sharp have all accepted invitations to participate in the 2002 True Value IROC series. Hornish, Lazier, and
Sharp finished first, second and third respectively, in the 2001 IRL. In 2001, Sharp served as an expert commentator for the ESPN broadcasts of True Value IROC races. In 2002, Sharp will trade in his microphone for a steering wheel as a returning participant. Additional driver participation announcements will be made over the next several weeks. The 2002 four race schedule is as follows: Race 1, Daytona International Speedway, Friday, February 15, Race 2, California Speedway, Saturday, April 27, Race 3, Chicagoland Speedway, Saturday, July 13 and Race 4, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, August 3.(IROC PR)(11-7-2001)
- IROC at Chicago in 2002 UPDATE and California: IROC (International Race Of Champions) will be heading to at least new venue next season, announcing that it would run the third of its 2002 four-race schedule on the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway oval. The track will host the 12-car IROC race as part of its July 12-14 NASCAR weekend, and will run a 100-lap event on July 13. The series will open in its customary Daytona setting and will likely end at Indianapolis, with a fourth track yet to be worked out. The series has been unable to finalize its driver lineup, although IROC p.r. chief George Signore said Friday that the series will look at the top three or four drivers from the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch series, as well as CART and the IRL. This year’s Indy Racing League champion Sam Hornish Jr. is one of the drivers that has been contacted, and will be part of an IROC test at Daytona Nov. 12-14.(SpeedVision), ESPN2's RPM 2 Night reports that the four tracks will be Daytona, Michigan, Chicago and Indy(11-1-2001)
UPDATE: hearing that Michigan is out and California Speedway will take its place(11-3-2001)
UPDATE 2: The IROC Series will return to California Speedway after a three-year absence on Saturday, April 27, 2002, for a 100-mile race. California Speedway President Bill Miller and IROC Chairman Les Richter made the announcement Sunday during a morning press conference prior to the speedway's CART FedEx Championship Series season finale Marlboro 500. The race, which is race two of a four-race series, will be part of the April NASCAR weekend at the speedway. The IROC Series was part of the speedway's inaugural race weekend in June of 1997, with Mark Martin capturing the first event. Known to many as auto racing's "All-Star Event," the cars are identically prepared Pontiac Firebirds with 12 drivers from a variety of disciplines invited to participate(California Speedway PR)(11-5-2001)
- Hornish to IROC: IRL champ Sam Hornish Jr. took a few laps at Phoenix International Raceway yesterday. Hornish is getting ready to expand his driving experience next season - he's testing an International Race of Champions car on Nov. 13-14 at Daytona. Hornish, by virtue of his IRL title, is competing in the IROC series next season. It's not his first experience in a stock car, though. Hornish once raced an ASA car on a three-eighths-mile oval.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-30-2001)
THE 2002 IROC LINEUP
stats thru 2001 |
| Driver |
Series From |
Appearance(including 2002) |
IROC Wins |
IROC Championships |
| Al Unser Jr |
Indy Racing League |
15 |
11 |
2 |
| Dale Jarrett |
Winston Cup |
7 |
1 |
0 |
| Bobby Labonte |
Winston Cup |
4 |
3 |
1 |
| Tony Stewart |
Winston Cup |
4 |
1 |
0 |
| Sterling Marlin |
Winston Cup |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| Buddy Lazier |
Indy Racing League |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| Scott Sharp |
Indy Racing League |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| Kevin Harvick |
Winston Cup/BGN |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| Sam Hornish Jr |
Indy Racing League |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| Helio Castroneves |
Indy Racing League |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| Jack Sprague |
Truck Series |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| Danny Lasoski |
World of Outlaws |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| THE 2002 IROC SCHEDULE |
| # |
Track |
Date & Time |
TV |
Date & Time |
Laps/Miles |
| 1 |
Daytona |
Feb 15th |
ESPN |
Feb 16th, 12noon/et |
40/100 |
| 2 |
California |
April 27 |
ESPN |
Apr 28, 1:00pm/et |
50/100 |
| 3 |
Chicago |
July 13th |
ESPN |
July 13th, 7:00pm/et |
67/100.5 |
| 4 |
Indianapolis |
Aug 3rd |
ABC |
Aug 11th, 5pm/et |
40/100 |
IROC TV SCHEDULE
Date/Day Start/End Race Network
Please note that all dates and time are subject to change.
ALL TIME IROC RACE WINNERS thru 2001
Al Unser Jr., 11
Dale Earnhardt, 11
Mark Martin, 10
For IROC History, Stats and Stories see the Official IROC Racing Site
For last years info, see my IROC 2001 Page