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IROC - International Race of Champions (1974-2006)
IROC, the International Race of Champions was a concept of Les Richter, Roger
Penske and Mike Phelps in 1973. The idea was an auto racing competition, featuring
identically-prepared stock cars set up by a single team of mechanics, in an
effort to make the race purely a test of driver ability. 
It was run with a small field of invited drivers (6-12) from all the major
racing series including NASCAR, SCCA, FIA and USAC. Over the years CART and
the IRL drivers, among others also participated. 
The cars used in the first year were Porsche Carrera RSRs. Over the years the cars have included the Chevrolet Camaro (1975-89), Dodge Daytona (1990-93), Dodge Avenger (1994-95) and the Pontiac Trans Am (1996-2006). The series was not run in 1981, 1982, 1983 or 2007.
In 2007, IROC could not find a sponsor and closed down operations after almost 30 years of competition.
^ topIROC - International Race of Champions Year by Year
To see a list of race winners and race results for the IROC Series, select a year from the listing below.
Year |
Champion |
|---|---|
XXX
(2006) |
Tony Stewart |
| XXIX (2005) | Mark Martin |
| XXVIII (2004) | Matt Kenseth |
| XXVII (2003) | Kurt Busch |
| XXVI (2002) | Kevin Harvick |
| XXV (2001) | Bobby Labonte |
| XXIV (2000) | Dale Earnhardt |
| XXIII (1999) | Dale Earnhardt |
| XXII (1998) | Mark Martin |
| XXI (1997) | Mark Martin |
| XX (1996) | Mark Martin |
| XIX (1995) | Dale Earnhardt |
| XVIII (1994) | Mark Martin |
| XVII (1993) | Davey Allison |
| XVI (1992) | Ricky Rudd |
| XV (1991) | Rusty Wallace |
| XIV (1990) | Dale Earnhardt |
| XIII (1989) | Terry Labonte |
| XII (1988) | Al Unser, Jr. |
| XI (1987) | Geoffrey Bodine |
| X (1986) | Al Unser, Jr. |
| IX (1985) | Harry Gant |
| VIII (1984) | Cale Yarborough |
| VII (1980) | Bobby Allison |
| VI (1979) | Mario Andretti |
| V (1978) | Al Unser |
| IV (1977) | A.J. Foyt |
| III (1976) | A.J. Foyt |
| II (1975) | Bobby Unser |
| I (1974) | Mark Donohue |
IROC - International Race of Champions Sponsors
 |
Crown Royal - 2004-2006 True Value - 1999-2003 |
IROC - International Race of Champions Organization
Prior to its disbanding and auction of its assets, the IROC organization was:
International Race of Champions, Inc.
45 Park Road Tinton Falls, NJ, 07724
Les Richter, Chairman of the Board
Jay Signore, President and GM
David S. Atlas, Board Member
Walter P. Czarnecki, Board Member
IROC - International Race of Champions - Series Rules (from IROC website)
Series
Rules:
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 move from car to car with him.
DRIVER
SELECTION
Drivers are selected and invited to compete in the International Race of Champions
by the IROC organizers. Drivers who have won major championships or major
races at major tracks are given primary consideration by IROC.
CAR
ASSIGNMENTS
At each of the four events the cars will be assigned by a blind draw. Once
cars are assigned, colors and numbers will be applied.
STARTING
POSITIONS
There are no qualifying
sessions or time trials in IROC. At the first race, drivers draw for their
starting positions. For race two will line up in the reverse order of the
race one finish. Race three and race four will line up by inverting the point
standings.
CAR
NUMBERS AND COLORS
The car numbers and colors, when possible, will simulate the main color and
number from the driver’s native series team car, or a color, and or number,
that is significant to the drivers career.
RACE FORMAT COMPETITION YELLOW SCHEDULED
PIT STOP
The length of each of the four events is typically 100- miles in distance.
This holds for all race tracks that are 1.5 miles in length or larger, up
to 2.5 miles. Race officials will determine the distance for events held at
other sized venues.A competition Yellow will be built in to each of the four
events for the purpose of heightening the level of competition. The precise
lap at which the yellow will be displayed shall be determined during the week
of the event and announced to the drivers before the start of the race.
Bonus points of 3-2-1 respectively, will be awarded to the drivers in the
first three positions at the competition yellow. At the Competition Yellow,
the pits will be closed and the field will align according to the first segment
finish. Starting with the leader each driver, in order of finish, will have
lane choice and one-by-one will realign in double-file rows for the restart.If
the race is under caution at the elapsed time of the competition yellow, instructions
will be communicated by race control as to the rescheduled lap for the competition
yellow. If the race includes a routine pit stop, this will be performed at
the time of the competition yellow. You will be given specific instructions
during the driver meeting.
UNSCHEDULED
PIT STOPS
Barring any scheduled pit stops in IROC events, if a driver must stop at the
pits for any reason, a crew of IROC mechanics will service his car.Under
normal circumstances, a driver who pits under the green flag receives no penalty,
except for the time lost on the track. A
driver who pits under a yellow caution flag, however, is subject to a one-lap
penalty, as assessed by the IROC organizers.
YELLOW
FLAG LAPS
Under normal circumstances,
yellow-flag caution laps do not count in IROC competition. If the yellow flag
is waved, we revert back to the last completed lap for the restart line-up.
If the restart occurs on the last lap, the white/green flag will be displayed
and it will be a one-lap shootout.
SERIES
CHAMPION
The IROC champion is the driver (or driver team for road racers) who has earned
the most points in the four races.
TIEBREAKER
RULE
In the event that
two or more drivers are tied for bonus points, the bonus points will be awarded
according to the finishing positions of the race.In
the event that two or more drivers are tied at the finish line, the points
for finishing positions will be added together and divided among the tying
drivers.In the event
that two or more drivers are tied in points at the end of the series, the
tie will be broken by the driver who finished highest, on average, over all
four races.
POINTS: Drivers earn points in all four
IROC events, as follows:
| Finishing Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Points Earned | 21 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
BONUS POINTS
Competition Yellow/Scheduled Routine Pit Stop
3 bonus points are awarded
to the driver who is leading at the competition yellow.
2 bonus points are awarded to the driver who is second at the competition
yellow.
1 bonus point is awarded to the driver who is third at the competition yellow.
If the race is under caution at the time of the scheduled competition yellow, the bonus points above will be awarded at the completion of the fifth (5th) consecutive lap of green flag racing after the restart. This ruling allows the drivers to be under racing conditions at the time the bonus points are awarded.
BONUS POINTS - Overall laps led
5 bonus points are awarded
to the driver who leads the most laps.
3 bonus points are awarded to the driver who leads the second most laps.
2 bonus points are awarded to the driver who leads the third most laps.
PURSE DISTRIBUTION
A total of $1,888,000.00
to be distributed at the conclusion of the series bases on point standings
as follows:
| Finishing Position | Money Earned |
| 1 | $1,000,000 |
| 2 | $80,000 |
| 3 | $80,000 |
| 4 | $80,000 |
| 5 | $80,000 |
| 6 | $80,000 |
| 7 | $80,000 |
| 8 | $80,000 |
| 9 | $80,000 |
| 10 | $80,000 |
| 11 | $80,000 |
| 12 | $80,000 |
SANCTION: All races have full international status and were sanctioned
by NASCAR.