Ken de la Bastide: Superstar Racing Experience expires after 3 years
Jan. 16—Just days after it was announced the International Race of Champions format might be returning, the Superstar Racing Experience closed its doors.
Last week it was announced the IROC series, closed since 2006, was being revived by Ray Evernham and Rob Kauffman.
Within 48 hours, it was announced the SRX series founded by Evernham and Tony Stewart was shuttering its doors after three years.
The timing of the SRX announcement has to be considered suspect since Evernham was a huge proponent of the concept.
No dates for an IROC race have been announced, although in the announcement it said there would be an event this year.
It had to be disappointing for the tracks that were anticipating an SRX series race in 2024, and tickets for some events have already been made available.
When it first started, the SRX races were broadcast in prime time by CBS on Saturday, and it was moved last year to Thursday night on ESPN.
Very little information was provided on the termination of the SRX series.
Was it a lack of sponsorship dollars? Did ESPN not want to continue to broadcast the events?
Those are questions that will probably not be answered in the near future.
Will IROC return to the larger NASCAR ovals for events or continue to try and use the nation's short tracks.
Those are announcements the racing world is awaiting.
IN OTHER RACING NEWS
Anderson's Greg VanAlst is returning to Daytona International Speedway to compete in the ARCA race in February.
VanAlst shocked the racing world by winning at Daytona last year.
Unfortunately, during a practice session this past week, VanAlst's car suffered some damage in an incident with a team car driven by Issac Johnson.
The good news is there is plenty of time to make the repairs.
USAC driver Logan Seavey made it two consecutive wins at the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Oklahoma, over the weekend.
He took advantage of a restart for the 55-lap feature and led the entire distance while being chased by Buddy Kofoid.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
