2007 IROC NEWS
The Final Season
Question: What is IROC?
Answer: International Race of Champions
The International Race of Champions is a series of four races designed to produce a winner determined solely on driver skill. As far as humanly possible, the many mechanical variables normally associated with the sport of auto racing have been eliminated. Drivers are not allowed to make changes or adjustments to the suspension, handling or any other parts of the IROC race cars, except for pedal and steering wheel adjustments, seat position and safety belts. A specially fitted seat is provided for each driver and that seat moves from car to car with him.
For IROC History, Stats and Stories see the Official IROC Racing Site
IROC 2007 News
- IROC up for auction MORE: Looks like no IROC in 2008. The series took 2007 off, in search of a sponsor for the series. None was found and the cars were up for sale and now the cars, engines and equipment will be up for auction Match 6-8, 2008. More info at IROCracing.com.(1-23-2008)
UPDATE: The International Race of Champions (IROC series) officials announced today the All-Star auto racing series will liquidate all tools, equipment, race cars and memorabilia in a two-day public auction on March 7th and 8th at IROC headquarters in Tinton Falls, NJ. The IROC series has been dormant since the conclusion of the 2006 season due to lack of sponsorship. IROC President Jay Signore said, “We’re all very sad to see IROC come to an end, but the competition for major corporate sponsorship is very tough and the car manufacturers have not shown any interest. We kept hope alive as long as we could but now it’s time to look forward and move on.” Spanning four decades the IROC series left its mark in auto racing history staging 120 events at 16 different world-class race tracks across the United States and amassing a roster of over 125 of the biggest names in stock car, open wheel and road racing from throughout the world. Twenty-one of those greats have won the elite IROC championship along with the bragging rights of beating out the best of the best. Signore concluded “We managed every aspect of the IROC series out of this building for the past 25-years and everything has to go in this auction. We have tools and equipment along with a dozen, or so, race ready IROC cars, driver uniforms, helmets, autographed pictures – there’s a lot of history here. It’s hard to see it all go, but we’ve had a great time with the IROC series and no regrets.” For more information on the IROC liquidation contact Auction Liquidation Services at 800-563-9740. For more information regarding the International Race of Champions go to www.irocracing.com or contact George J. Signore at 732-542-4762.(IROC PR)(2-19-2008) Comment here
- IROC Cars for sale: been told that IROC is selling their fleet of race cars which are race ready with engines and transmissions. All are painted white but can be decaled in the Crown Royal scheme if wanted. For more info contact info at officialraceshop.com.(8-30-2007)
- IROC Site Tribute: the IROC site has a thank you posted with a nice tribute to the IROC Series, the series has cancelled the first two races of the 2007 season, for more see the IROCracing.com site.(3-27-2007)
- Texas IROC race cancelled, TMS to premiere "Dale" in it's place: Due to a lack of title sponsorship, the International Race Of Champions (IROC) has cancelled its event scheduled for Friday, April 13 at Texas Motor Speedway, and speedway President Eddie Gossage announced today that the race will be replaced with a special viewing party of the much-anticipated motion picture, "Dale."
"Dale," a documentary on NASCAR icon and seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt, premiered recently in Daytona Beach, Fla., but Texas Motor Speedway will serve as the local market venue for the premiere of the movie in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area during April's
Samsung 500 NASCAR race weekend. The movie will be shown on five giant NextelVision screens situated on the speedway frontstretch and the screening is expected to begin at approximately 8:30pm/ct. The film is expected to play to one of the largest movie crowds ever and Nextel Cup qualifying has been moved from 3:10pm to 4:10pm/ct [5:10pm/et] to accommodate the throng of fans who plan to attend both Dallas Morning News Qualifying Day and the screening on April 13.
Fans attending this special event will be treated to a movie introduction and conversation with NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, for whom Earnhardt drove the legendary #3 GM Goodwrench Chevy, and FOX Sports NASCAR analyst Larry McReynolds, who served as the Daytona 500-winning crew chief for Earnhardt, among others. In addition, each fan will receive a collector's edition "Dale" poster as well as enjoy a firework spectacular following the movie screening.
All Texas Motor Speedway season tickets will be honored at the movie event, as well as individual tickets that were purchased for
the IROC event. For those who have not yet purchased tickets for the activities surrounding April 13, Texas Motor Speedway is offering two ticket specials. For a $40 ticket, fans will receive a full day of racing action including Nextel Cup practice and qualifying as well as
admission to the "Dale" movie. A $20 movie ticket also will be available for purchase at Gate 4 following the conclusion of qualifying. Race tickets, including some prime frontstretch seats, are still available for the Samsung 500 NASCAR weekend April 12-15 by calling
(817) 215-8500 and by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS PR)(2-28-2007)
- IROC still searching for a sponsor: The International Race of Champions has not yet found a sponsor as its 2007 season remains in jeopardy, IROC spokesman George Signore said Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. The four-race series that features drivers from various racing disciplines traditionally begins at Daytona in February. That race already has been canceled.
IROC has run recently at Texas Motor Speedway in April, and the possibility of that event is looking bleak, Signore said. He said IROC has talked to tracks about the possibility of racing if a sponsor can be found. "There are still people out there seeking sponsorship for us," Signore said. "There is not a drop-dead date yet for 2007 [to be officially canceled]. We know for sure obviously Daytona is not going to happen. Texas is getting close to being a definite no-show for us. Then the only other tracks that we really have is Atlanta [in October], and then Eldora [Speedway in Ohio] with Tony Stewart. If something will fall into place and it's a big enough deal for us to put it all together, then we'd take a shot at it."(SceneDaily.com)(2-9-2007)
- Stewart still talking to IROC about race at Eldora: Defending IROC champion Tony Stewart said he still is talking to IROC officials about hosting an event at his dirt track, Eldora Speedway, in Indiana [actually Ohio]. The International Race of Champions is on hold because no sponsor has stepped forward since Crown Royal pulled out. The traditional opener at Daytona already has been canceled.(ESPN.com/Newton Blog)(1-27-2007)
- IROC Delays start of 2007 season, needs a sponsor: The International Race of Champions (IROC) officials announced today a delay in the start of the 2007 season due to not having a title sponsor in place. The traditional IROC season opener at Daytona International Speedway in February will not take place while the Series continues to pursue a new title sponsor. IROC President Jay Signore said, “We’re very disappointed about not making it to Daytona this year and we’re working very hard to find a title sponsor. Our hopes are to find a new title sponsor in enough time to be able to have a full four-race season within 2007. I want to thank Robin Braig and his entire staff at Daytona International Speedway for all of their patience and support during this difficult period. All of IROC’s partners and associates have been, and continue to be, very loyal and supportive of our efforts to continue the IROC Series.” The elite All-Star invitational competition, which matches 12 drivers from different disciplines of auto racing in equally prepared cars, celebrated its 30th anniversary season in 2006 with Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart winning the prestigious $1-million IROC championship. All plans regarding the remainder of 2007 are pending the procurement of a title sponsor.(IROC PR)(1-9-2007)
- IROC Needs a Sponsor: The International Race of Champions will need a sponsor for 2007 for the series to continue, Crown Royal is not returning and IROC President Jay Signore said Friday he was seeking a new sponsor for the series to embark on its 31st season in 2007. "We need a sponsor to support all of those great drivers," Signore said while in the garage of Homestead-Miami Speedway. "We're on a sponsor search. We're working hard at it. Hopefully we'll get something done by February." The IROC Series invites drivers from various forms of racing in equally prepared cars for four events throughout the year. Tony Stewart won the 2006 IROC title. Signore said he hopes the series will return to Daytona, Texas and Atlanta next year but his tentative schedule does not include the Daytona road course. He would like to have another road course, but the 10 p.m. Thursday slot during the summer race weekend at Daytona was not a good fit. "That Thursday night at 10 o'clock was tough on everybody," Signore said. "We're going to try to get a road course in. We have to look at it. We wanted to keep a spot open for the sponsor that it would like to help support the series."(SceneDaily.com), more on the series at irocracing.com.(11-19-2006)
| THE 2007 IROC LINEUP |
| Driver |
Car # |
Series From |
Appearance
(including 2007) |
IROC
Wins
(thru 2006) |
IROC
Champs |
| POSTPONED....NO SPONSOR |
| THE 2007 IROC SCHEDULE |
| # |
Track |
Date & Time |
TV |
Date & Time |
Laps/Miles |
| POSTPONED....NO SPONSOR |
ALL TIME IROC RACE WINNERS
Mark Martin, 13
Al Unser Jr., 11
Dale Earnhardt, 11
Cale Yarborough, 5
Tony Stewart, 4
Bobby Allison, 4
Neil Bonnett , 4
Bobby Unser, 4
Rusty Wallace, 4
49 drivers have won an IROC race [thru race 4, 2006]
131 drivers have ran the series [including 2006].(10-31-2006)
