Tony Stewart Bringing Back IROC Kinda

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https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2020/07/13/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/SRX.aspx

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wo of the biggest names in auto racing — NASCAR hall of famers Ray Evernham and Tony Stewart — will launch an auto racing circuit that has the potential to be the biggest disrupter to the auto racing business in decades.

With top agent Sandy Montag and former NASCAR COO George Pyne rounding out the four-person board, Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) will feature six short-track races starting next summer.

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SRX already has a TV deal in place with CBS, which has committed to carry the Saturday night races in prime time next year. The CBS deal runs for multiple years.

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During interviews last week, SRX’s board members took pains to say the new group had no plans on competing with NASCAR. But it’s clear that they see openings where they believe NASCAR has fallen short. That includes:

• ■ A television strategy that will fit races into two-hour prime-time windows, presenting a contrast to NASCAR’s races that can run twice that long.
• ■ A focus on driver performance, rather than auto technology. Evernham will design the cars so that everyone races with the same equipment.
• ■ It will include racers and crew chiefs who are well known. Each race will have 12 drivers randomly matched with a crew chief.
• ■ It will feature racing under the lights at short tracks in the American heartland.
• ■ It is being positioned as an easier sale for sponsors that want to buy time on TV and at the event. “They make one phone call to be integrated in all aspects of the broadcast and the event,” Pyne said.

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CBS is not just licensing the media rights. As part of the deal, McManus said the broadcast network “has a vested interest in this working not just from a television standpoint, but from a sponsorship standpoint and a revenue standpoint and a live gates standpoint; we’re partners in all that.”

McManus also jumped at the chance to fill six of CBS’s summer nights with live sports programming. 

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SRX could not identify the drivers or crew chiefs it expects to compete next summer. But with just 12 drivers per race, it expects to have its pick of well-known crew chiefs and drivers, both active and retired. The series will randomly pair teams, grouping an up-and-comer with veterans. As for active drivers, the startup would have to work around other series schedules and any rules that could prevent those drivers from competing.

The races are designed to keep viewers interested throughout, with two 45-minute heats and no pit stops. 

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Executives also feel that the tracks that SRX is targeting — dirt, paved ovals, road courses — will give the group advantages. The group is identifying historic, smaller tracks, like the one at the Nashville Fairgrounds or dirt tracks such as Ohio’s Eldora Speedway or Knoxville Raceway in Iowa. SRX has not settled on any specific tracks, but Stewart does own Eldora.

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Evernham said he’s looking for historic, shorter tracks.

“We’d like to be on shorter tracks in grassroots America, for a couple of reasons,” he said. “It keeps the cars close, it keeps the speeds down, it’s going to let the guys play and bounce around and use each other up a little for some exciting racing.” 

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2020/07/13/tony-stewart-ray-evernham-plan-six-race-superstar-racing-experience-srx-all-stars-iroc-series/5427206002/

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SRX envisions fields of 12 drivers competing on famed short tracks across the country in cars prepared by Evernham, the architect of Jeff Gordon’s early career and a noted car designer. Stewart plans to be one of the participants and already has a wish list of drivers he’ll pursue, and he’ll likely offer up Eldora Speedway, his short track in Ohio, as one of the venues.

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Evernham doesn’t expect speeds to exceed 150 mph on half-mile tracks, and he listed Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut, Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, Eldora, Knoxville Raceway in Iowa and Terre Haute Action Track in Indiana as possible venues. Evernham would also like a road course and a modified oval on the schedule.

“You know, drivers retiring and being out of the sport so young, we think there are guys who still want to race, still can race, but just don’t want to run 200 mph,” Evernham said.

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Evernham’s dream list includes Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Jimmie Johnson, Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya, Paul Tracy and short track racers and up-and-comers who have proven their skills but can’t get a break.

“I always liked the IROC Series back in the day and even before I was old enough to be a professional race car driver, I looked at that as the cream of the crop,” Stewart told the AP. “When I got invited to run IROC, it was a huge honor. You were part of an elite group of drivers that got the opportunity to race each other. I always took that really seriously.

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SRX is planning for 90-minute races without pit stops — but a “halftime” for adjustments — in a 2-hour television window. Evernham believes drivers will arrive and draw for both their car and crew chief — which Evernham hopes comes from a pool of noted industry veterans. A short practice is planned and Evernham’s team will be responsible for building and maintaining the cars.

 

 

 

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Come to Texas.  Please, Please, Please.  Come to Texas.

[Jshep34 2385]

Always enjoyed the iroc races. Hope this is a success

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[Prepuce of Doom 21123]

This could be outstanding. 

[Lidig8r 1880]

America ... Fuck yeah!

Bring A J Foyt back. Hell, he's only 85 years old. When he loses, he can punch one of the whippersnappers in Victory Path. (small track, small Lane)

[Pato del Muerto 52900]

1 hour ago, Lidig8r said:

America ... Fuck yeah!

Bring A J Foyt back. Hell, he's only 85 years old. When he loses, he can punch one of the whippersnappers in Victory Path. (small track, small Lane)

Why would he lose?

[atomheartbevo 90110]

Daytona 500, 1979.  Broadcast by CBS.

This is being broadcast by CBS.

Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough are still alive.

Just sayin'

[Napoleon 8710]

20 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

Come to Texas.  Please, Please, Please.  Come to Texas.

"It will feature racing under the lights at short tracks in the American heartland."

Give me your address and I'll send you a map of the US of A.

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2 hours ago, Napoleon said:

"It will feature racing under the lights at short tracks in the American heartland."

Give me your address and I'll send you a map of the US of A.

A man can dream.

[Pato del Muerto 52900]

The question isn’t if Stewart will get in a wreck and start a fight/feud during race 1, the question is which other driver will agree to participate. 

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I wish Dick Trickle were still around.  This was made for him.

[Fuck Tim Beck 3855]

11 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

I wish Dick Trickle were still around.  This was made for him.

Best option at this point is a Dick Trickle expert. South Austin's mom.