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NASCAR WCUP: Former Champion Rudd Returns to True Value IROC Series

8 December 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

MOORESVILLE, N.C. - Ricky Rudd has accepted an invitation to race in the 25th anniversary edition of the True Value International Race of Champions (IROC) Series in 2001. Rudd, driver of the No. 28 Texaco/Havoline NASCAR Winston Cup Series Ford, is the 1992 IROC series champion.

"I really enjoyed the IROC Series in the years I raced in it," Rudd said. "It gives me another chance to race, but also a chance to compete against drivers from other series. The 1992 championship is something I have always been very proud of, and it's a real honor to be part of the 2001 True Value IROC Series."

Rudd was an IROC contender in 1992, 1993 and 1995. In the 12 races he competed in, Rudd finished in the top-five eight times. He also has the distinction of finishing in the only tie in IROC history - a tie for second place with Harry Gant in the 1992 Daytona race.

The True Value IROC began in 1973 with a simple premise: Take 12 of the world's top drivers from different forms of motorsports, put them in identically prepared cars, give them a set of rules which virtually eliminates variables usually associated with motorsports (pit stops, qualifying, control over setups), and wave the green flag at them.

Rudd is part of an impressive list of IROC champions: Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Mark Donahue, Davey Allison, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt and Mark Martin.

The four-race schedule includes races at Daytona International Speedway (Feb. 16), Talladega Superspeedway (April 21), Michigan International Speedway (June 9) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Aug. 4). ABC Sports and ESPN will broadcast the events in 2001.

Text Provided By Steve Post

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