IROC at Indy

Last updated
IROC at Indy
Ims02.svg
International Race of Champions
Venue Indianapolis 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.

Contents

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

YearDateDayWinning DriverRace DistanceTime of RaceWinning SpeedStarting
Cars
Lead
Changes
Ref
MilesLaps
1998 July 31Friday Flag of the United States.svg Mark Martin 1004000:38:21156.386 mph121 [1]
1999 Aug 6Friday Flag of the United States.svg Mark Martin 1004000:38:52157.374 mph122 [2]
2000 Aug 4Friday Flag of the United States.svg Mark Martin 1004000:38:41155.106 mph122 [3]
2001 Aug 4Saturday Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Labonte 1004000:38:39155.239 mph113 [4]
2002 Aug 3Saturday Flag of the United States.svg Dale Jarrett 1004000:37:57158.137 mph110 [5]
2003 Aug 2Saturday Flag of the United States.svg Jimmie Johnson 1004000:44:21135.287 mph121 [6]

Event records

YearDriver
Fastest Race2002 Flag of the United States.svg Dale Jarrett Time: 32:29.3233Speed: 158.137 mph100 Miles40 Laps
Most Wins by a Driver98–00 Flag of the United States.svg Mark Martin 3 Wins
Most Starts by a Driver98–02 Flag of the United States.svg Dale Jarrett 5 Starts

Drivers

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

DriverStartsBest Finish:Laps Led
NumberYearsPositionYear
Greg Biffle 12003720030
Mike Bliss 120031020030
Kenny Brack 21999, 2001320010
Jeff Burton 41998–20017199919
Kurt Busch 12003420030
Hélio Castroneves 22002–20032200220
Eddie Cheever Jr. 31999–2001319994
Mark Dismore 22000–2001920016
Dale Earnhardt 31998–2000220000
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 21999–2000920000
Jeff Gordon 31998–2000219992
Jeff Green 12001820010
Kevin Harvick 22002–2003220030
Sam Hornish Jr. 22002–20031020020
Dale Jarrett 51998–20021200240
Jimmie Johnson 120031200320
Tommy Kendall 119981019980
Steve Kinser 12003920030
Bobby Labonte 41999–20021200117
Terry Labonte 11998519980
Randy LaJoie 11998419980
Danny Lasoski 120031220030
Buddy Lazier 22001–200240020
Arie Luyendyk 119981119980
Dave Marcis 11999919990
Sterling Marlin 12002720020
Mark Martin 41998–2000, 200311998, 1999, 200068
Greg Moore 119991219990
Ryan Newman 12003320030
Greg Ray 120001020000
Ricky Rudd 12001620010
Ken Schrader 12002320020
Scott Sharp 22002–2003620030
Jack Sprague 12002620020
Tony Stewart 41998, 2000–2002220018
Al Unser Jr. 21998, 2001219980
Jimmy Vasser 119983199836
Rusty Wallace 21999–200051999, 20000

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References

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  2. "1999 Race 4". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
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