International Race of Champions Prepares Ahead of Heritage Invitational

Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch and Bobby Labonte were among the drivers who took part in an International Race of Champions test at the Ten Tenths Motor Club on Monday, building anticipation for the Heritage Invitational.

The test was part of IROC's preparations ahead of the Heritage Invitational on April 9-11, also at the Ten Tenths Motor Club. Announced drivers for the IROC festivities at the Heritage Invitational include Gordon, Busch, Labonte, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, Scott Pruett, Max Papis, Tommy Kendall and Tomy Drissi.

For Gordon, it has always been an honor to compete on the IROC stage. Now, the NASCAR Hall of Famer can still appreciate the prestige of the International Race of Champions.

“For me, it makes me go back to when I first came into NASCAR and the Cup Series, even before the Cup Series, and watching these legends from stock cars, from all different forms of motorsports, names that you knew all racing on a track at the same time.

“Exciting racing, big names, I mean, it doesn’t get much better than that. As a kid looking at that, you kind of strive for that. It would be an amazing thing to accomplish. I got fortunate to get that invite and be a part of IROC, you know, with my own career. It’s just amazing, every time we’d line up and take the green. You just can’t believe the names that you’re seeing on the cars and who you’re racing against.

Labonte claimed the 2001 IROC championship, along with the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series title and wins in the Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500 and Brickyard 400 in his career. He says the IROC championship is still one of the most cherished prizes from his career.

“I have that trophy in my house," said Labonte. "There’s not a lot of trophies in my house, but my IROC trophy’s in there.”

Busch grew up watching some of the early IROC battles, and was honored to be part of the series during his racing career, winning the series championship in 2003.

“As a kid, it’s like, wow, it’s the coolest looking car, you know, back in the 80s. Growing up watching it and racing with my dad, it was the Allisons and watching the Unsers and you see the family aspect of it, and just the cool factor of different guys from different disciplines, whethere it’s IndyCar, Sports Car, NASCAR guys.

“Even when I was running for a few years in IROC, we had World of Outlaws guys, dirt track guys. It’s a melting pot of the who’s who. When you really get down to it, the credentials and the championships that you see take the green flag at IROC events, it can really blow your mind.”

For many of the competitors in the Heritage Invitational, they are former IROC drivers competing in the cars they previously drove in the series. While other cars will have different drivers, the names adorned on the side still read as a who's who of racing lore.

“What makes it unique now is the heritage that it has in these cars that kind of are historical," said Gordon. "You see names that you’re familiar with. I think fans are seeing names that they’re familiar with coming back and from so many different disciplines of motorsports all coming together and converging into equal cars and all on the racetrack together, and having a lot of fun doing it as well.”

IROC returned at Lime Rock Park in 2024, and also took part in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2025. Busch believes the Heritage Invitational will build on the momentum of IROC's resurgence in front of the NASCAR audience in the Charlotte area.

“I think it’s a unique event to showcase our cars again," said Busch. "The way that these cars were appreciated last year at Laguna Seca. I didn’t make the Lime Rock event, I didn’t have my car ready in time, but just to hear the reception from the generation has passed of who used to watch these cars. It’s easy to show the kids who did race in these and who were the champions that were out there racing.

“And just the liveliness of it, too, with the colors. The sound is very unique. To be here in Charlotte, the Ten Tenths Motor Club, it’s in the backyard where most NASCAR guys are and where everyone is going to want to be on that April weekend."

Labonte hopes the Heritage Invitational will entertain fans who vividly remember the exciting battles and marquee names from IROC over the years.

“Really, this is a lot for the fans that love IROC racing. There’s a lot of them, especially in this area. I’ve had a lot of people say, hey, remind me when the date is.

“It’s good to see that Ray’s got all the cars here and we’re able to go out there and make some laps. Everybody will have a better idea when they come back here in a few weeks, and we’ll be able to hopefully put on a great show.”

Along with the IROC competition, the three-day event includes Vintage Indy exhibitions, a celebrity Pro-Am race, and the Heritage Invitational Concours featuring significant cars that highlight the history, artistry and innovation of the automobile and the community around the machines.

Fans can purchase tickets for the Heritage Invitational today at heritageinvitational.com/tickets.

-Photo credit: Zach Evans