McLaren F1 team’s CEO Zak Brown is “pumped”, and stock car racing fans “can’t wait”. Well, the occasion is truly humongous. Several NASCAR legends are set to assemble at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in August with an International Race of Champions (IROC) reboot on the cards at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Legendary IROC machinery from history — the ones driven by immortals Cale Yarborough and Dale Earnhardt too — will be showcased. It also offers a chance to watch some living legends light up the famed road course once again.
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The racing world would know “who was the best of the best” at the event, feels Brown. Well, there is no exaggeration there. After all, Jeff Gordon, Bill Elliott, and Mark Martin are the prominent NASCAR legends slated to race, alongside a group of former IROC champions including Brown. Two-time CART champion Al Unser Jr. will pilot the pace car during the event.
The constellation of race car drivers from across different motorsport genres would make it a true festival for fans across generations. And judging from their reactions on X, the fans are ready for the ride.
“We’ll be there,” commented one fan. Another wrote: “Finally Jeff Gordon back in a race car. Hopefully.”
I can't see @markmartin getting back into a race car. Everything I've seen he's happy being retired and has moved on from driving cars. Maybe I'm wrong.
— Steve 🇺🇸 (@LS3_SS) January 31, 2025
The participants too are aware of how big it is going to be. Brown gave an insight into what the event means for him and the racing world.
“I’m so pumped that they’re bringing back the iconic IROC series when we used to be able to answer the question of who was the best of the best,” wrote Brown on X.
He then went on to give a sneak preview of his car. “I recently acquired this Cale Yarborough/Darrell Waltrip IROC car that won at Riverside, the racetrack I grew up going to. Can’t wait to get it out on the track at the Monterey Historics,” added Brown.
So pumped that they're bringing back the iconic IROC series, when we used to be able to answer the question of who was the best of the best! I recently acquired this Cale Yarborough/Darrell Waltrip IROC car that won at Riverside, the racetrack I grew up going to. Can’t wait to… pic.twitter.com/hx5G0fgdbc
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) December 20, 2024
At the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, the IROC will be part of 14 different groups at the venue, one of which will be dedicated to the history of F1, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the series.
“Wow! That will be awesome,” commented one fan. Just the news itself took many on a nostalgic trip into the 1990s.
“Did 1990s call? This’ crazy cool,” reiterated one fan.
The IROC organizers are equally thrilled and are confident of conjuring a grand and memorable spectacle.
“I’m also excited to give fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with our drivers and the incredible group of IROC cars that will be on display,” said IROC co-owner Ray Evernham.
The event is surely going to bring back memories for several die-hard fans of NASCAR and motorsport in general. It would be a melting pot of different disciplines in one place.
