IROC: True Value IROC to run 'One Shy' in tribute to Earnhardt

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

April 8, 2001

Tinton Falls, NJ - True Value IROC officials announced today they will run an 11-car field for the remaining three races of the 2001 True Value IROC schedule. In tribute to four-time True Value IROC champion Dale Earnhardt, the 12th car will remained parked. Series President Jay Signore said, "Dale's career in the series is one to be revered. He accepted a record 17 invitations to represent his sport and went on to capture the title four times. The decision to start only 11 cars in honor of Dale is a first for us, but one we believe is well deserved. With the support of all the competitors and Dale's family, we will keep the 12th car parked as a tribute to honor and remember Dale as the champion's champion."

An 11-time winner in the True Value IROC series, Earnhardt won back-to-back championships in 1999 and 2000 adding to his previous triumphs in 1990 and 1995. He most recently added to his legend during the season opener in February at Daytona International Speedway. While battling for the lead, Earnhardt's Pontiac Firebird was sent into the infield grass where he never missed a beat. He returned to the track at full speed and finished the event in seventh place. Eventual winner of the race, Dale Jarrett cited the incident as, "proof that Dale Earnhardt was one of the best race car drivers in the world."

Race one from Daytona will be rebroadcast on ESPN2 Saturday, April 14, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The True Value IROC series will continue with race-two at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, April 21.

The True Value IROC series matches 12 championship-caliber drivers to compete in equalized Pontiac Firebird TransAm race cars. The cars are differentiated by their brilliant DuPont ChromaSystems TM colors and outfitted with Goodyear Eagle radial race tires. The four-race series awards points according to finishing positions. At the end of the fourth event, the points are tallied and champion is declared.

True Value is the world's largest hardware and home center retailer with more than 6,500 locations worldwide, representing annual retail sales of more than $18 billion. True Value's racing involvement includes a 16-year history with IROC, as well as involvement with NASCAR. Additional information on True Value and individual True Value locations is available at www.truevalue.com.

Text provided by George Signore

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