For the second consecutive season, the reigning Winston Cup champion [Tony Stewart in 2002] has declined an invitation to participate in the International Race of Champions series. Jeff Gordon, who won the 2001 champion, elected not to participate in last season’s IROC series, which features 12 drivers from various forms of motorsports competing in four 100-mile races in equally prepared Pontiac Firebirds. Stewart won the season opening IROC race last season and Winston Cup driver Kevin Harvick won the series title. “With all that goes on during any given Winston Cup weekend, the time to focus on the main job – driving (for my team) – becomes more and more valuable as our sport continues to grow. I’ve never been a Winston Cup champion before and I want to do it right – for my team, for my fellow competitors and for my fans. When you win one championship it makes you want to win a second that much more.”( ThatsRacin.com ), so far only two drivers have been named to run IROC 2003, WoO drivers Danny Lasoski and Steve Kinser. Usually it is the top five from Cup, the top drivers from the IRL, CART (is schedules match) and the BGN and sometimes CTS champ.(1-8-2003)
