there will be an announcement at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday, Jan. 19th to announce the 2005 IROC [International Race of Champions – www.irocracing.com] drivers and new paint schemes for the four race 2005 season. Expect 5-6 Nextel Cup drivers, the Busch Champ [Truex Jr.], Truck Series champ [Hamilton] a few IRL, WoO drivers nad maybe a surprise or two. The 2005 Crown Royal IROC Series will feature 12 drivers from different forms of auto racing in equally prepared cars. The 2005 driver field will consist of seven drivers who captured their respective series championship in 2004 [Busch, Truex Jr., Hamilton, Kanan, Kinser, Kenseth (IROC) and ?]. This year’s Crown Royal IROC Series champion will take home a $1 million first-place purse. Also for info on 2004, see my 2004 IROC page.(1-17-2005)
UPDATE the drivers: the following drivers will run the 2005 IROC Series:
Matt Kenseth – NASCAR Nextel Cup (2004 Crown Royal IROC champion)
Kurt Busch – NASCAR Nextel Cup (2004 Series champion)
Mark Martin – NASCAR Nextel Cup (4-time Crown Royal IROC champion)
Sebastien Bourdais – CHAMP CAR (2004 Series champion)
Bobby Hamilton NASCAR – Craftsman Truck (2004 Series champion)
Steve Kinser – World of Outlaws (2004 Series champion)
Max Papis – Grand American Road Racing (2004 Series co-champion)
Scott Pruett – Grand American Road Racing (2004 Series co-champion)
Martin Truex Jr. – NASCAR Busch Series (2004 Series champion)
Helio Castroneves – IRL IndyCar Series (2-time Indianapolis 500 champion)
Buddy Rice – IRL IndyCar Series (2004 Indianapolis 500 champion)
Danny Lasoski – World of Outlaws (2001 Series champion)(1-18-2005)
UPDATE 2: Crown Royal International Race of Champions (IROC) officials have announced the driver field for the 2005 Crown Royal IROC Series. The invitational series will feature 12 champion drivers from different forms of auto racing, including seven drivers who won their respective series titles in 2004. The Crown Royal IROC Series will kick off its 29th season on Friday, February 18 at Daytona International Speedway. Following the season opener, the series will shift to Texas Motor Speedway (April 15), followed by Richmond International Raceway (September 8) and conclude at the Atlanta Motor Speedway (October 29).(Alan Taylor Communications PR)(1-19-2005)
IMAGE: see an image of the 2005 IROC car on my 2005 Paint Schemes page.(1-20-2005)
