IROC XXVII - 2003

The International Race of Champions was an auto racing competition, featuring identically-prepared stock cars set up by a single team of mechanics, in an effort to make the race purely a test of driver ability. It was run with a small field of invited drivers (6-12) from all the major racing series including NASCAR, SCCA, FIA and USAC. Over the years CART and the IRL drivers, among others also participated.   IROC - (1974-2006) Main Page IROC - (1974-2006) Champions

IROC XXVII - 2003

Kurt Busch, representing the NASCAR Winston Cup series, became the seventh driver in IROC history to win the championship in his rookie year of competition. Busch was strong throughout the four-race season posting a win at Talladega in race two, finishing second in the Daytona opener, third at Chicagoland and fourth in the finale at Indianapolis.

The Daytona International Speedway opener resulted in four-time IROC Champion, Mark Martin winning his 11th career IROC race, placing him in a tie with the late Dale Earnhardt and Al Unser, Jr., for all-time series race wins. Kurt Busch followed his mentor Martin across the stripe finishing second in his first outing, while World of Outlaws Champion, Danny Lasoski turned out an impressive third place finish in his second year of IROC competition.

The series continued on the high-banks for race-two at Talladega Superspeedway with Kurt Busch upping his Daytona finish a notch to take the win his second IROC appearance. NASCAR Truck Series Champion, Mike Bliss finished second with Busch Series Champion, Greg Biffle placing third.

Race-three brought the series to Chicagoland Speedway where it was Mike Bliss upping his second place finish at Talladega to take the victory. Bliss became the first driver representing the NASCAR Truck Series to win an IROC race. NASCAR driver Ryan Newman finished second followed by Kurt Busch in third.

Consistency placed race winners Martin, Busch and Bliss in a league of their own for the championship as the entered the race-four finale at the Brickyard. Busch was leading the way followed by Bliss and Martin. Per the IROC rules, they would grid in reverse order of points for the final event, starting Mark Martin in 10th just ahead of Bliss and Busch respectively. Martin's IROC at Indy record was stellar. Martin had won all three previous IROC races he competed in, and won them from the rear of the field. To take a record fifth IROC crown, Martin would have to win the race, collect bonus points for leading laps and hope Busch placed no better than third. Like Martin, Bliss would also have to win the race and collect bonus point to take the title. Busch was able to lead the rivalry and clinched the title with a four-place finish over Martin in fifth and Bliss 10th.

Jimmie Johnson won the final round, taking his first IROC win and victory at the Brickyard. Johnson's win and bonus points placed him third over all, with Martin second and Mike Bliss fourth. 2002 IROC Champion, Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-five. (from IROC Website)

Final Points
IROC 27 Champion Kurt Busch
Position	Driver/Residence/Sanction	Points	Money Earned
1	Kurt Busch - NASCAR Winston Cup	69	$250,000
2	Mark Martin - NASCAR Winston Cup	58	$125,000
3	JImmie Johnson - NASCAR Winston Cup	56	$  95,000
4	Mike Bliss - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series	54	$ 90,000
5	Kevin Harvick - NASCAR Winston Cup	48*	$  85,000
6	Ryan Newman - NASCAR Winston Cup	48*	$  80,000
7	Greg Biffle - NASCAR Busch Series	41	$  80,000
8	Sam Hornish - IRL Indy Car Series	30	$  80,000
9	Danny Lasoski - O'Reilly World of Outlaws	27	$  80,000
10	Felipe Giaffone/Scott Sharp - IRL Indy Car Series	24*	$  80,000
11	Steve Kinser - O'Reilly World of Outlaws	24*	$  80,000
12	Helio Castroneves - IRL Indy Car Series	23	$ 80,000

 

Race One

February 14, 2003

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach, Florida

2.5-mile high-banked oval, 40 laps, 100 miles

 

Finish	Start	Car	Name/Color	Laps	Status
1	8	8	Mark Martin/Green	40	Running
2	9	9	Kurt Busch/Orange	40	Running
3	2	2	Danny Lasoski/Silver	40	Running
4	4	4	Jimmie Johnson/Rose	40	Running
5	12	12	Greg Biffle/Light Blue	40	Running
6	1	1	Steve Kinser/Black	40	Running
7	11	11	Kevin Harvick/Gold	40	Running
8	3	3	Sam Hornish/Purple	40	Running
9	6	6	Mike Bliss/Red	40	Running
10	5	5	Felipe Giaffone/Aqua	40	Running
11	10	10	Helio Castroneves/Med Blue	40	Running
12	7	7	Ryan Newman/Cream	40	Running

Race Three

July 12, 2003

Chicagoland Speedway

Joliet, IL

1.5-mile speedway, 67 laps, 100.5 miles.

 

Finish	Start	Car	Name/Color	Laps	Status
1	9	4	Mike Bliss/Violet	67	Running
2	3	10	Ryan Newman/White	67	Running
3	12	1	Kurt Busch/Lime	67	Running
4	6	7	Kevin Harvick/Gold	67	Running
5	11	2	Mark Martin/Rose	67	Running
6	10	3	Greg Biffle/Dark Blue	67	Running
7	8	5	Jimmie Johnson/Powder Blue	67	Running
8	7	6	Sam Hornish Jr./Med Blue	67	Running
9	2	11	Scott Sharp*/Red	67	Running
10	5	8	Danny Lasoski/Dark Orange	67	Running
11	1	12	Helio Castroneves/Green	39	Mechanical
12	4	9	Steve Kinser/Cream	38	Mechanical
			* Substitute for Felipe Giaffone

 

Time of Race: 43 min. 54 sec.

Average Speed: 137.384 MPH

Margin of Victory: 3.252 sec

Caution Flags: 0

Lead Changes: 3 among 3

Lap Leaders: Castroneves 1-5, Newman 6-18, Bliss 19-67

Race Four

August 2, 2003

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis, IN

2.5-mile oval, 40 laps, 100 miles

 

Finish	Start	Car	Name/Color	Laps	Status
1	6	7	JImmie Johnson/Rose	40	Running
2	7	6	Kevin Harvick/Gold	40	Running
3	9	4	Ryan Newman/Red	40	Running
4	12	1	Kurt Busch/Violet	40	Running
5	10	3	Mark Martin/White	40	Running
6	2	11	Scott Sharp*/Cream	40	Running
7	8	5	Greg Biffle/Black	40	Running
8	1	12	Helio Castroneves/Lime	40	Running
9	3	10	Steve Kinser/Lt Blue	40	Running
10	5	8	Sam Hornish Jr./Med Blue	40	Running
11	4	9	Danny Lasoski/Green	40	Running
			*Substitute for Felipe Giaffone

Time of Race: 44min 21sec

Average Speed: 135.287mph

Margin of Victory: .697

Caution Flags: 1

Lead Changes: 1 among 2

Lap Leaders: Castroneves 1-20, Johnson 21-40