IROC V - 1978

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 V - 1978

Al Unser won the first two races and survived a huge accident in the finale to capture the IROC 5 title. In Race 1 at Michigan, Al Holbert crashed on the first lap, sliding on the roof of his Camaro the length of the backstretch. Tom Sneva and Jacky Ickx also were involved, and all three were eliminated from the race. After a rain delay, Unser took control to win, with Cale Yarborough close behind. In Race 2 at Riverside, Unser led all the way. In Race 3, Yarborough got the win after Holbert lost the lead and spun midway through the event. Race 4 at Daytona was one of the most famous in IROC history. Richard Petty, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Gordon Johncock, Darrell Waltrip, Benny Parsons and Unser were involved in an accident coming off the second turn just past the halfway point. Petty was knocked unconscious and spent the night in a local hospital for observation. Unser rocketed over a dirt embankment in the infield, almost knocking over a television tower. After the restart, Andretti went ahead to take the win, just ahead of Waltrip. (from IROC Website)

Final Points
	IROC 5 Champion Al Unser
Position	Driver/Residence/Sanction	Money Earned
1	Al Unser/Albuquerque, NM/USAC	$50,000
2	Mario Andretti/Nazareth, PA/FIA	26,000
3	Darrell Waltrip/Owensboro, KY/NASCAR	23,000
4	Cale Yarborough/Timmonsville, SC/NASCAR	23,000
5	Richard Petty/Randleman, NC/NASCAR	20,000
6	Gordon Johncock/Phoenix, AZ/USAC	17,500
7	*Benny Parsons/Ellerbe, NC/NASCAR	16,000
8	Jacky Ickx/Belgium/FIA	15,000
9	Johnny Rutherford/Ft. Worth, TX/USAC	12,000
10	**Gunnar Nilsson/Sweden/FIA	7,500
11	Tom Sneva/Spokane, WA/USAC	7,500
12	Al Holbert/Warrington, PA/IMSA	7,500
*Replaced Nilsson in finals **Withdrew because of illness

 

Race One

September 17, 1977

Michigan International Speedway

Brooklyn, Michigan

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

 

Finish	Start	Driver	Laps	Status
1	4	Al Unser	50	Running
2	2	Cale Yarborough	50	Running
3	1	Darrell Waltrip	50	Running
4	3	Richard Petty	50	Running
5	7	Gunnar Nilsson	50	Running
6	12	Gordon Johncock	50	Running
7	6	Mario Andretti	50	Running
8	10	Johnny Rutherford	50	Running
9	5	Benny Parsons	49	Running
10	8	Al Holbert	1	Accident
11	9	Tom Sneva	1	Accident
12	11	Jacky Ickx	1	Accident

 

Race Three

October 16, 1977

Riverside International Raceway

Riverside, California

2.54-mile road course, 30 laps, 76.2 miles

 

Finish	Start	Driver	Laps	Status
1	3	Cale Yarborough	30	Running
2	9	Mario Andretti	30	Running
3	12	Al Unser	30	Running
4	8	Darrell Waltrip	30	Running
5	11	Richard Petty	30	Running
6	7	Gunnar Nilsson	30	Running
7	5	Jacky Ickx	30	Running
8	4	Benny Parsons	30	Running
9	6	Johnny Rutherford	30	Running
10	10	Gordon Johncock	30	Running
11	1	Tom Sneva	30	Running
12	2	Al Holbert	15	Engine

 

Time of Race: 45 minutes, 37.468 seconds

Average Speed: 100.603 MPH

Margin of Victory: 1.510 seconds

Lead Changes: 2

 

Race Four

February 17, 1978

Daytona International Raceway

Daytona Beach, Florida

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

 

Finish	Start	Driver	Laps	Status
1	5	Mario Andretti	40	Running
2	1	Darrell Waltrip	40	Running
3	2	Gordon Johncock	40	Running
4	7	Cale Yarborough	40	Running
5	4	Benny Parsons	40	Running
6	9	Jacky Ickx	40	Running
7	8	Al Unser	23	Accident
8	3	Richard Petty	23	Accident
9	6	Johnny Rutherford	23	Accident

 

Time of Race: 36 minutes, 13 seconds

Average Speed: 167.442 MPH

Margin of Victory: One car

Lead Changes: 11

Red Flag: Lap 23, Accident