1974 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Race Car

The International Race of Champions (IROC) was an automobile racing competition designed to test the world's greatest drivers' abilities. Twelve invited drivers raced in identically prepared stock cars set up by a single team of mechanics.

The best drivers from several racing series, including NASCAR, sports car racing, and Indy cars, were invited to compete. The drivers selected were often those who had recently won at big events, including the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Daytona. Most of the IROC races were contested on ovals.

The IROC series was created and developed in 1972 by David Lockton, the developer of the Ontario Motor Speedway. The first season began in 1973, and Mark Donohue became the first driver to win the championship in 1974. The series was often dominated by drivers with a background in NASCAR competition, and they eventually became the majority of racers, initially with three drivers in the first season to seven in the final season.

Porsche Carrera RSR 3-liter cars were used during the first season, with Chevrolet Camaros being used through 1989 (the IROC Championship took a break from 1980 through 1984). Dodge Daytonas were raced from 1990 to 1995, and Pontiac Trans Ams from 1996 to 2006.

The IROC series spanned four decades and consisted of 240 events at 16 different race tracks across the United States. Bobby Unser won the second season, and A.J. Foyt won the third and fourth seasons.

The first race was held on October 27, 1973, contested by twelve entrants driving the Porsche RSR, and the average speed was 101 mph. The first season consisted of four races; three of the races were at Riverside, and one was at Daytona. Mark Donohue led all 30 laps of the first race and went on to take the checkered flag. Mark won three of the four races during the inaugural IROC season.

The Chevrolet Camaro was used during the second season and continued through 1980.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2025