IROC at Indy

IROC at Indy
International Race of Champions
VenueIndianapolis Motor Speedway
First race1998
Last race2003
Distance100 miles (160 km)
Laps40
Most wins (driver)Mark Martin (3)

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 1998–2000, 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

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Year Date Day Winning Driver Race Distance Time of Race Winning Speed Starting
Cars
Lead
Changes
Ref
Miles Laps
1998 July 31 Friday United States Mark Martin 100 40 00:38:21 156.386 mph 12 1 [1]
1999 Aug 6 Friday United States Mark Martin 100 40 00:38:52 157.374 mph 12 2 [2]
2000 Aug 4 Friday United States Mark Martin 100 40 00:38:41 155.106 mph 12 2 [3]
2001 Aug 4 Saturday United States Bobby Labonte 100 40 00:38:39 155.239 mph 11 3 [4]
2002 Aug 3 Saturday United States Dale Jarrett 100 40 00:37:57 158.137 mph 11 0 [5]
2003 Aug 2 Saturday United States Jimmie Johnson 100 40 00:44:21 135.287 mph 12 1 [6]

Event records

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Year Driver
Fastest Race 2002 United States Dale Jarrett Time: 32:29.3233 Speed: 158.137 mph 100 Miles 40 Laps
Most Wins by a Driver 98–00 United States Mark Martin 3 Wins
Most Starts by a Driver 98–02 United States Dale Jarrett 5 Starts

Drivers

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In the six years that this race was contested, 38 drivers participated:[7]

Driver: Starts: Best Finish: Laps Led:
Number Years Position Year
Greg Biffle 1 2003 7 2003 0
Mike Bliss 1 2003 10 2003 0
Kenny Brack 2 1999; 2001 3 2001 0
Jeff Burton 4 1998 through 2001 7 1999 19
Kurt Busch 1 2003 4 2003 0
Hélio Castroneves 2 2002; 2003 2 2002 20
Eddie Cheever Jr. 3 1999; 2000; 2001 3 1999 4
Mark Dismore 2 2000; 2001 9 2001 6
Dale Earnhardt 3 1998; 1999; 2000 2 2000 0
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2 1999; 2000 9 2000 0
Jeff Gordon 3 1998; 1999; 2000 2 1999 2
Jeff Green 1 2001 8 2001 0
Kevin Harvick 2 2002; 2003 2 2003 0
Sam Hornish Jr. 2 2002; 2003 10 2002 0
Dale Jarrett 5 1998 through 2002 1 2002 40
Jimmie Johnson 1 2003 1 2003 20
Tommy Kendall 1 1998 10 1998 0
Steve Kinser 1 2003 9 2003 0
Bobby Labonte 4 1999 through 2002 1 2001 17
Terry Labonte 1 1998 5 1998 0
Randy LaJoie 1 1998 4 1998 0
Danny Lasoski 1 2003 12 2003 0
Buddy Lazier 2 2001; 2002 4 2002 0
Arie Luyendyk 1 1998 11 1998 0
Dave Marcis 1 1999 9 1999 0
Sterling Marlin 1 2002 7 2002 0
Mark Martin 4 1998; 1999; 2000; 2003 1 1998; 1999; 2000 68
Greg Moore 1 1999 12 1999 0
Ryan Newman 1 2003 3 2003 0
Greg Ray 1 2000 10 2000 0
Ricky Rudd 1 2001 6 2001 0
Ken Schrader 1 2002 3 2002 0
Scott Sharp 2 2002; 2003 6 2003 0
Jack Sprague 1 2002 6 2002 0
Tony Stewart 4 1998; 2000; 2001; 2002 2 2001 8
Al Unser Jr. 2 1998; 2001 2 1998 0
Jimmy Vasser 1 1998 3 1998 36
Rusty Wallace 2 1999; 2000 5 1999; 2000 0

References

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  1. ^ "1998 Race 4". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  2. ^ "1999 Race 4". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  3. ^ "2000 Race 4". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  4. ^ "2001 Race 4". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "2002 Race 4". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "2003 Race 4". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "2004 Brickyard 400 Official Program". Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 2004.