Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), a venture founded by NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham, Tony Stewart, Sandy Montag, and George Pyne, aimed to revolutionize motorsports entertainment by focusing on driver skills rather than mechanical competition. The series debuted in 2021 on CBS and was renewed for 2022, later moving to ESPN in 2023. However, in early 2024, SRX announced its closure due to insufficient TV ratings, despite the initial enthusiasm for the concept.
Evernham acknowledged the challenges of the TV industry, emphasizing the need for a substantial viewing audience to sustain such a program. While SRX may have ended, Evernham believes there is still a demand for motorsports entertainment akin to SRX. Drawing from his experience with the International Race of Champions (IROC), a series that ran from 1974 to 2006, Evernham sees potential in reviving IROC as a form of motorsports entertainment.
Recently, Evernham and Rob Kauffman acquired the naming rights to IROC, hinting at a potential IROC reunion featuring vintage cars and exhibitions. However, Evernham cautions that any revival of IROC would need to adapt to the current market dynamics and collaborate with major racing entities like NASCAR, IndyCar, or Formula One.
The focus for now is on organizing an IROC reunion to gauge interest among fans, drivers, and enthusiasts. Evernham envisions a modernized version of IROC that could serve as a valuable support program for top-tier racing series, catering to the evolving landscape of motorsports entertainment.
