IROC IV - 1977

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 IV - 1977

For the second year in a row, A. J. Foyt won the IROC championship without scoring a race victory. There were 25 lead changes in Race 1, with Foyt dominating early, until an accident with Bobby Unser slowed him. Buddy Baker, making his IROC debut, took the victory. In Race 2, Bobby Unser led all the way to win. James Hunt, who had been on the pole for Race 1 but then crashed, quit the series to concentrate on his Formula One commitments. Cale Yarborough led from start-to-finish in Race 3 as all the action was behind him. Jody Scheckter, Johnny Rutherford and Baker spent much of the race negotiating the Riverside esses in the dirt instead of on the asphalt. Foyt tried to challenge for the lead but Gordon Johncock "closed the door" on him, and Foyt went off-course. Meanwhile, Bobby Unser charged from the last row to finish fourth. Almost everyone led in Race 4. David Pearson, in the finals because Scheckter passed to fulfill a Formula One commitment, led briefly after starting last. Rutherford, Yarborough, Baker, Foyt and Bobby Unser also led at one time or another. However, Yarborough took the lead on the last lap and got the win, with Foyt second. (from IROC Website)

Final Points
	IROC 4 Champion AJ Foyt
Position	Driver/Residence/Sanction	Money Earned
1	A. J. Foyt/Houston, TX/USAC	$50,000
2	Cale Yarborough/Timmonsville, SC/NASCAR	25,000
3	Bobby Unser/Albuquerque, NM/USAC	23,000
4	Johnny Rutherford/Ft. Worth, TX/USAC	20,000
5	Buddy Baker/Charlotte, NC/NASCAR	18,000
6	Richard Petty/Randleman, NC/NASCAR	15,000
7	Al Holbert/Warrington, PA/IMSA	13,000
8	Al Unser/Albuquerque, NM/USAC	10,500
*9	David Pearson/Spartanburg, SC/NASCAR	10,500
10	Jody Scheckter/South Africa/FIA	5,000
11	Gordon Johncock/Phoenix, AZ/USAC	5,000
12	James Hunt/England/FIA	5,000
*Replaced Scheckter in final race.

 

Race One

September 18, 1976

Michigan International Speedway

Brooklyn, Michigan

Two-mile high-banked oval, 50 laps, 100 miles

 

Finish	Start	Driver	Laps	Status
1	3	Buddy Baker	50	Running
2	9	Johnny Rutherford	50	Running
3	4	A. J. Foyt	50	Running
4	8	Jody Scheckter	50	Running
5	6	Al Unser	50	Running
6	10	Richard Petty	50	Running
7	5	Gordon Johncock	49	Running
8	7	Al Holbert	49	Running
9	1	Cale Yarborough	49	Running
10	12	David Pearson	48	Running
11	2	Bobby Unser	38	Accident
12	1	James Hunt	8	Accident

 

Race Three

October 17, 1976

Riverside International Raceway

Riverside, California

2.54-mile road course, 30 laps, 76.2 miles

 

Finish	Start	Driver	Laps	Status
1	9	Cale Yarborough	30	Running
2	1	A. J. Foyt	30	Running
3	10	Jody Scheckter	30	Running
4	11	Bobby Unser	30	Running
5	5	Al Unser	30	Running
6	3	Al Holbert	30	Running
7	7	Johnny Rutherford	30	Running
8	8	Buddy Baker	30	Running
9	6	Richard Petty	29	Running
10	2	Gordon Johncock	29	Running
11	4	David Pearson	29	Running
12	DNS	James Hunt	0	Didn't start

 

Time of Race: 46 minutes, 52.050 seconds

Average Speed: 97.552 MPH

Margin of Victory: 2.530 seconds

Lap Leaders: Yarborough, 1-30

 

Race Four

February 18, 1977

Daytona International Raceway

Daytona Beach, Florida

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

 

Finish	Start	Driver	Laps	Status
1	5	Cale Yarborough	40	Running
2	1	A. J. Foyt	40	Running
3	2	Bobby Unser	40	Running
4	7	Richard Petty	40	Running
5	4	Johnny Rutherford	40	Running
6	9	David Pearson	36	Running
7	8	Al Holbert	28	Running
8	3	Buddy Baker	39	Running
9	6	Al Unser	32	Accident

 

Time of Race: 36 minutes, 12 seconds

Average Speed: 165.746 MPH

Margin of Victory: One car

Lead Changes: 25