1977 Chevrolet Camaro IROC

The International Race of Champions (IROC) was a racing competition, primarily associated with North America, and initially fielded by twelve of the top drivers from the four main branches of racing. Formula 1 drivers included Denis Peter Revson, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Denis Hulme; from SCCA were Mark Donohue and George Follmer; from NASCAR were Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, and David Pearson; and from USAC were Bobby Unser, A.J. Foyt, Gordon Johncock, and Roger McCluskey.

The IROC series was created by Roger Penske, Les Richter, and Mike Phelps with all drivers competing in an identically-prepared stock car maintained by a single team of mechanics. Thus, it was a test of driver skill and ability to determine the most talented and capable driver.

The original IROC series debuted to a huge audience on ABC Television's Wide World of Sports on October 27, 1973. The drivers raced in identically prepared Porsche Carrera RSRs and the first series was won by Mark Donohue. From 1974 through 1976, the drivers raced with modified production-type Chevrolet Camaros and purpose-built Camaro 'silhouette' cars for seasons four through seven (1977–1980). After a brief pause, the series resumed in 1984, again using Chevy Camaros through 1989. From 1990 to 1993, they raced with Dodge Daytonas before switching to Dodge Avengers in 1993 through 1995. From 1996 through 2006, the racing series used Pontiac Trans Ams. The series was not run in 1981, 1982, or 1983.

The second-generation IROC cars were prepared by NASCAR legend 'Banjo' Matthews in Arden, North Carolina. 15 'body-in-white' Camaro chassis sourced from Chevrolet were sent to Matthews where they were fitted with racing engines from Traco Engineering of Culver City, California. The engines displaced 350 cubic inches and were rated at 450 horsepower. The suspension was designed and created by Holman-Moody in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jay Signore maintained the cars. If the cars survived, they were raced for five years.

Among the list of drivers included Peter Gregg (SCCA/IMSA), Johnny Rutherford (USAC/CART), Al and Bobby Unser, Tom Sneva, and Wally Dallenbach, NASCAR legends Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison, and two-time Formula 1 Grand Prix World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

The 1975 season was won by Bobby Unser, A.J. Foyt won the 1976 and 1977 seasons, and Al Unser won in 1978. Mario Andretti won in 1979, and Bobby Allison the following year.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2022