(Photo: CBS)
By Aaron Bearden
The International Race of Champions has been gone since 2006, but a new all-star circuit will come to life beginning in 2021.
Tony Stewart, the final champion of IROC in 2006, has teamed up with NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham, The Montag Group and investor George Pyne to create a new six-race, short-track series that will air on CBS beginning in 2021.
The Superstar Racing Experience was officially announced on Monday, with a multi-year partnership planning to air races on CBS Television Network and CBS All-Access starting next summer.
The series plans to feature groups of 12 competing in short, sprint-length races at notable short tracks across the United States in cars designed by Evernham. Stewart himself will participate in the tour, with races geared toward an emphasis on head-to-head competition among elite drivers from diverse racing backgrounds.
“SRX is a series where the cars will be so evenly matched that talent instead of equipment will win the race,” said Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who also won the 1997 INDYCAR Series title. “The competition will be intense, and thanks to the vision of such strong leaders in the sports and entertainment industry, millions will be able to watch live and in primetime on CBS.”
Short tracks have been planned as the host of the series in an effort to minimize aerodynamic dependence. Races will fit into a two-hour television window that are expected to contain roughly 90 minutes of racing time. There will be no pit stops, with a “halftime” break allowing for drivers and crew chiefs to make adjustments and strategy decisions planned in their place.
CBS intends to air the races on primetime during Saturday nights.
“We are looking forward to teaming with Superstar Racing Experience to bring this exciting new auto racing series to CBS in primetime,” Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports, said in a release. “This innovative racing series will feature great drivers competing on short tracks and will provide viewers with unique, behind-the-scenes access, bringing fans closer to the action. With the backing from legends in the racing industry, the quality of the drivers and competition, and the atmosphere that short tracks will help to create, the Superstar Racing Experience is a great addition to our live summer sports programming that racing fans will embrace.”
The tour intends to field a mixture of drivers from varied backgrounds, experience and levels of stardom. Both full-time entrants and partial or one-off opportunities may exist, with races possible on dirt, asphalt and even potentially modified road courses.
“We’ve set this up to bring the focus back to the drivers and their ability to compete head-to-head as opposed to the car deciding who wins,” Evernham said. “That’s going to create a unique dynamic for fans at the track and everywhere else. Adding superstar-caliber drivers and our unique racing features, you’re going to see all kinds of emotions playing out live. It’s going to be quite exciting and rekindle why a lot of people love short-track racing.”
