The True Value International Race of Champions [IROC] held a two-day test session Monday and Tuesday in preparation for the July 12th IROC event at Chicagoland Speedway. Drivers testing were current IROC drivers Danny Lasoski (Word of Outlaws) and Felipe Giaffone (IRL IndyCar Series), as well as IROC test drivers Dave Marcis and Jim Sauter. Current NHRA Funny Car driver Ron Capps and NHRA Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta also stopped by to try their hand at turning left in an IROC car. According to IROC president, Jay Signore, the focus of this week’s test session is to continue on improving the set-up for race day. “Right now we are trying to get a chassis underneath us that will perform great for each of the drivers.” “Today,” Signore continued, “we are working on springs, shocks, aerodynamics and getting balance into the cars. We are always trying to improve and make the cars more drivable for these guys.” Fresh off competing in last weekends’ Lucas Oil Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Chicagoland Speedway’s sister track, Route 66 Raceway (1/4-mile drag strip), NHRA Funny Car driver Ron Capps and NHRA Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta, both took the track in the colored IROC machines. Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, owner of Ron Capps car, was also on hand at Chicagoland Speedway checking out the 18-degree banked speedway. Marcis liked what he saw during the test with Capps and Kalitta. “I think them coming here to the speedway is great. They are true racers, have the interest and are willing to come here and try this out. They are doing really good in these cars. Their lap times are coming down each time after we talk to them,” said Marcis about their progression today. NHRA drivers joining IROC is something Marcis sees as a positive. “It would be great for NHRA drivers to join the IROC series. It will be that much more interesting to the spectator having them there.”( IROC PR )(6-4-2003)
