There are few acronyms in American motorsports that carry the same instant recognition and gravitas as IROC. The International Race of Champions was once the battleground for the world’s best drivers – Formula 1 world champions, Indy 500 winners, NASCAR icons, and sportscar legends – all racing against each other in identical cars. For purists, it was as close to a true test of driver talent as the sport could offer. And now, nearly two decades since the final IROC checkered flag waved, the series is roaring back – at least for one weekend.
From August 13-16, 2025, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will welcome an unprecedented gathering of 24 historic IROC cars. In a first for the event, all seven generations of IROC machinery will be displayed and run together, capturing over 30 years of the series’ unique all-star competition.
Founded in 1973 by racing pioneer Roger Penske, IROC was designed to pit the world’s top drivers to determine the “best of the best.” Spearheaded by IROC co-owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham, this ‘resurrection’ grid will include everything from the original 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR to the final Pontiac Firebird that saw Tony Stewart claim the series’ last title in 2006 (pictured above).
A Field Stacked with Icons – Cars and Drivers Alike
This is no ordinary historic display. These cars aren’t just preserved; they will be driven in period-correct liveries by racing royalty. Al Unser Jr., a two-time IROC champion, will serve as Grand Marshal for the IROC class, while fan favorites like Bill Elliott, Scott Pruett, Danny Sullivan, and Zak Brown are expected to take part.
The entry list reads like a Hall of Fame induction roster. The 1974 Mexico Blue Porsche 911 (pictured above) that raced under F1 world champion Denny Hulme, NASCAR star David Pearson, and the incredible all-rounder Roger McCluskey returns with collector Chip Connor at the wheel.
The 1975 Camaro that brought four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt within inches of victory at Daytona is back, now shared between Shaun and Alex Lynn. Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO and vintage racing enthusiast, will drive a 1978 Camaro once piloted by F1 world champion Alan Jones and NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough (pictured below).
Even more compelling are the stories etched into these cars’ roll cages. The 1990 Dodge Daytona, which began life as a Camaro before winning two IROC races, once belonged to Roger Penske himself. It will now be driven by Scott Pruett, whose name is also inked into the car’s history. There’s also Bruce Canepa’s 1995 Dodge Avenger, a machine touched by greatness – racing idols Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mark Martin, and Jeff Gordon all drove it in their IROC heydays.
The Machines That Made the Series
What made IROC so distinctive wasn’t just the talent behind the wheel, it was the philosophy that everyone should race on a level playing field. Each car, whether it was the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Daytona, or Pontiac Firebird, was identically prepared, turning every race into a study in driver ability rather than engineering advantage.
IROC’s legacy isn’t just nostalgia. It influenced how racing series approach parity and spec components today, and this showcase offers a rare look at the evolution of American race car design across three decades.
Notably, Tony Stewart’s 2006 Firebird – the last IROC car to win a championship – will also be featured. It represents the series’ final chapter, capping a run that began in 1974 and included 30 seasons of cross-discipline excellence.
IROC Comes Full Circle at Laguna Seca
Laguna Seca is no stranger to IROC. The circuit only hosted the series twice in the late 1970s, before it took more of a focus on America’s oval tracks, with Al Unser and Mario Andretti taking victories. But never before has such a varied and curated field returned to the famous 2.238-mile layout.
With more than 400 historic race cars expected across 14 competition groups, the 2025 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is once again proving why it’s the must-attend event for fans of American vintage racing and automotive history.
Whether you’re drawn by the Porsche RSR’s timeless livery, the brute Americana of the Camaro, Daytona, and Firebird, or the once-in-a-lifetime gathering of legends both human and mechanical, this IROC reunion isn’t just a celebration – it’s a rolling statement to U.S. racing’s storied legacy.
