IROC at Indy was an auto race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, from 1998 through 2003, as a support race to the Brickyard 400. It was part of the International Race of Champions series, and served as the season finale each of the six years it was run.
In March 1992, IROC drivers Dave Marcis and Dick Trickle were invited to test at the Speedway. At the time, the Speedway was considering hosting an IROC event during the month of May, during activities leading up the Indianapolis 500. The test was considered successful, but several improvements would have to be made to the track before it was safe for modern stock cars to race there. After consideration, it was determined that it would not be economically feasible to hold an IROC race at the time, and plans for that event were put on hold. Instead, the Speedway moved forward on plans to host a NASCAR race, the Brickyard 400, which would debut in 1994.
After the Brickyard 400 was deemed to be a huge success, and since the sufficient track improvements had been made, the Speedway re-opened talks to bring an IROC to Indy. The event was held for the first time in 1998.
As with all IROC races, there were no qualification sessions held. Grid positions were determined on a handicap basis, with starting positions opposite to the current points standings. All cars were identically prepared stock cars, based upon the Pontiac Trans Am. The cars were prepared and serviced by the series, rather than by a team which employed the driver.
By winning the IROC event from 1998 to 2000, Mark Martin became the first driver to "three-peat" any single annual event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Due to dwindling interest, the IROC race was removed from the IMS schedule after 2003 and, following the 2006 season, the IROC series itself folded.
Race results
YearDateDayWinning DriverRace DistanceTime of RaceWinning SpeedStartingCarsLeadChangesRef Miles Laps 1998 July 31 Friday Mark Martin 100 40 00:38:21 156.386 mph 12 1 1999 Aug 6 Friday Mark Martin 100 40 00:38:52 157.374 mph 12 2 2000 Aug 4 Friday Mark Martin 100 40 00:38:41 155.106 mph 12 2 2001 Aug 4 Saturday Bobby Labonte 100 40 00:38:39 155.239 mph 11 3 2002 Aug 3 Saturday Dale Jarrett 100 40 00:37:57 158.137 mph 11 0 2003 Aug 2 Saturday Jimmie Johnson 100 40 00:44:21 135.287 mph 12 1
Event records
Year Driver Fastest Race 2002 Dale Jarrett Time: 32:29.3233 Speed: 158.137 mph 100 Miles 40 Laps Most Wins by a Driver 98–00 Mark Martin 3 Wins Most Starts by a Driver 98–02 Dale Jarrett 5 Starts
Drivers
In the six years that this race was contested, 38 drivers participated:
Driver Starts Best Finish: Laps LedNumberYearsPositionYear Greg Biffle12003720030 Mike Bliss120031020030 Kenny Brack21999, 2001320010 Jeff Burton41998–20017199919 Kurt Busch12003420030 Hélio Castroneves22002–20032200220 Eddie Cheever Jr.31999–2001319994 Mark Dismore22000–2001920016 Dale Earnhardt31998–2000220000 Dale Earnhardt Jr.21999–2000920000 Jeff Gordon31998–2000219992 Jeff Green 12001820010 Kevin Harvick22002–2003220030 Sam Hornish Jr.22002–20031020020 Dale Jarrett51998–20021200240 Jimmie Johnson120031200320 Tommy Kendall119981019980 Steve Kinser12003920030 Bobby Labonte41999–20021200117 Terry Labonte11998519980 Randy LaJoie11998419980 Danny Lasoski120031220030 Buddy Lazier22001–200240020 Arie Luyendyk119981119980 Dave Marcis11999919990 Sterling Marlin12002720020 Mark Martin41998–2000, 200311998, 1999, 200068 Greg Moore119991219990 Ryan Newman12003320030 Greg Ray120001020000 Ricky Rudd12001620010 Ken Schrader12002320020 Scott Sharp22002–2003620030 Jack Sprague12002620020 Tony Stewart41998, 2000–2002220018 Al Unser Jr.21998, 2001219980 Jimmy Vasser119983199836 Rusty Wallace21999–200051999, 20000
References