Settling in for a sub-zero Friday night, I’m surfing through the channels and notice legendary World of Outlaws Champion Steve Kinser’s IROC car is sliding on its roof down a long stretch of Daytona International Speedway. The race is halted as the tube steel frame is sawed open allowing Kinser to climb out and walk to the ambulance. After the extended clean up, Matt Kenseth leads the surviving half of the field to the restart. A few laps later after a couple full speed contacts he emerges the winner.
Kenseth Wins Wild IROC Race: Two-time defending Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr., a Nextel Cup rookie this season made the first move. … "The last lap was definitely exciting," said Kenseth, the 2004 IROC champion who scored his third career win in the series. "Martin knew his only chance to win was to get down in front of me. He just hung a left to try to get to the bottom, which is the same thing I would have done. And neither one of us lifted."The International Race of Champions is an annual four race event where 12 drivers are selected from various types of motor racing and placed into identically prepared cars. The IROC Rules attempt to produce pure driver vs. driver racing, or as Cristy Corle explains: “No spotters and crew, just mirrors and skill required.”
Any win in competitive motor sports is a difficult accomplishment and I am taking this as a very good sign that the 2003 Cup Champ is ready to be competitive. The edge of control skirmishing earns comments on the Matt Kenseth message boards.
That was, w/out question, the craziest IROC race I have EVER seen! Glad to see all involved are OK, especially Kinser, what a ride he took. Matt being unusually agressive out there, it was great! I honestly thought they were going to wreck each other and one of the other 4 remaining cars would end up winning!Topping off the evening Mark Martin wins the NASCAR Truck series race. All in all a pretty awesome day of work at the track for those Roush Racing boys.
