IROC Holding LLC and General Motors announced Wednesday that Chevrolet will become the presenting sponsor of IROC.
The renewed relationship builds on the established history between the two brands, as Chevrolet played an integral role in the history of the original International Race of Champions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chevrolet as our presenting sponsor for IROC,” said Ray Evernham, Co-Principal of IROC Holdings. “Chevrolet has not only played a key role in my own personal career, but they’ve been a vital part of IROC’s history, too. Rob [Kauffman, co-principal] and I have had a lot of fun bringing the IROC brand back to life, and to now have our friends at Chevrolet and General Motors involved makes it even more exciting.”
The partnership debuted during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on August 13-16. At that event, IROC Presented by Chevrolet featured 27 authentic IROC cars competing for the Unser Family Cup. Drivers such as Mark Marin, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Scott Pruett, Danny Sullivan and Ken Schrader all took part in the event.
READ MORE: IROC History Celebrated at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
“Chevrolet is proud of our long and rich history with IROC, which dates back more than half a century, and honored to be the presenting sponsor,” said Todd Christensen, Director of Chevrolet Motorsports Marketing. “We look forward to seeing the stars and cars back on track in a revitalized IROC.”
General Motors’ involvement in IROC dates back to 1974, when the field utilized 12 identically-prepared Chevrolet Camaros with drivers such as Richard Petty, A.J. Foyt, Emerson Fittipaldi and Graham Hill.
Camaros were the designated cars for the IROC Series from 1974 until 1989. General Motors returned to the series in 1996 with the Pontiac Firebird, which remained the signature car of the series until its final year of competition in 2006.
“The excitement from fans and drivers around the revival of the IROC brand has been incredible, and Chevrolet’s commitment only reinforces that we’re building something truly special,” said Evernham.
In 2024, NASCAR Hall of Fame member Ray Evernham and former NASCAR Cup Series team owner Rob Kauffman founded IROC Holdings LLC and acquired the rights to the IROC brand. The series returned for its first reunion event in 2024 at Lime Rock Park, followed by this year’s involvement in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
-Photo credit: IROC Presented by Chevrolet
