Superstar Racing Experience

Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) is an upcoming stock car racing series founded by Tony Stewart, Ray Evernham, Sandy Montag and George Pyne.[1] The formation of the series was announced on July 13, 2020, in advance of a planned 2021 debut and corresponding television contract with CBS Sports.

Superstar Racing Experience
CategoryStock cars
CountryUnited States
Inaugural season2021
Drivers12
Official websitehttp://srxracing.com/

History

On July 13, 2020, it was reported that SRX was in preparation for a 2021 debut season. The series' founders included former NASCAR driver and current team owner Tony Stewart, former NASCAR team owner and crew chief Ray Evernham as well as former NASCAR executive George Pyne and sports agent Sandy Montag.[1] Initially, series management was split between New York City and Charlotte, North Carolina.[1]

Championship

SRX is said to be aiming for a six-race debut season. It drew direct contrast from NASCAR when aiming for shorter races at shorter tracks, and also with the random pairing of driver and crew chief for each race.[2] Founder Tony Stewart compared it to IROC by comparing the aspects of identical cars and an all-star cast of drivers.[3] It was also later confirmed that the series would also be made up of younger up and coming drivers looking for exposure in addition to older and retired racing talent.[4]

Cars

SRX cars will be completely designed by founder Ray Evernham and were in concept stage when the series was founded in July 2020.[5] Teaser photos of the car show it has a high rear spoiler and is said to have high horsepower and low downforce.[6] Fury Race Cars will serve as the cars' chassis designer and builder.[7]

Drivers
Driver Primary series Accomplishments Announcement date Ref
Tony Stewart NASCAR Cup Series 1996–97 IndyCar Series Champion, 2002, 2005, and 2011 NASCAR Cup Series Champion July 13, 2020
Tony Kanaan IndyCar Series 2004 IndyCar Series Champion, 2013 Indianapolis 500 Winner July 22, 2020 [8]
Paul Tracy IndyCar Series 2003 CART season Champion July 29, 2020 [9]
Bobby Labonte NASCAR Cup Series 2000 NASCAR Cup Series Champion August 14, 2020 [10]
Hélio Castroneves IndyCar Series 2001, 2002, and 2009 Indianapolis 500 Winner August 19, 2020 [11]
Willy T. Ribbs Trans-Am Series 1976 Formula Ford Champion September 2, 2020 [12]
Mark Webber Formula One 2015 FIA World Endurance Champion September 9, 2020 [13]
Bill Elliott NASCAR Cup Series 1988 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, 1985 and 1987 Daytona 500 Winner October 1, 2020 [14]
Ernie Francis Jr. Trans-Am Series Seven-time Trans-Am Series Champion December 7, 2020 [15]
Marco Andretti IndyCar Series Two-time Indy Car Race Winner February 3, 2021 [16]

Tracks

Races will primarily be held on half-mile dirt and asphalt short tracks and may feature a road course on the schedule as well.[17] Stewart's track Eldora Speedway was the first venue to be revealed, on November 13.[18] Two more tracks were announced in December 2020, with Lucas Oil Raceway in suburban Indianapolis on December 9[19] and Stafford Speedway in Connecticut on December 19.[20] The full schedule was released on January 4, 2021.[21]

No. Track Date
1 Stafford Motor Speedway June 12
2 Knoxville Raceway June 19
3 Eldora Speedway June 26
4 Lucas Oil Raceway July 3
5 Slinger Speedway July 10
6 Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway July 17

Race format

Races are planned to last 90 minutes without pit stops, though there is also planned to be a "halftime" for adjustments to be made to the car.[22]

Media

CBS Sports will air the 2021 six-race season in two-hour primetime Saturday night television windows.[23]

See also

References
  1. Ourand, John (July 13, 2020). "Off To The Races: Powerful group launching new auto racing circuit to debut next year on CBS". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  2. Martinelli, Michelle (July 13, 2020). "What we know so far about Tony Stewart's new 'Superstar' short-track racing circuit". For The Win. USA Today. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  3. Fenwick, Adam (July 13, 2020). "Stewart & Evernham Launching Superstar Racing Experience". Speed Sport. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  4. Smith, Steve Cole. "Update: The New IROC Series Is Still On for 2021". The Drive. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  5. Wolkin, Joseph (July 19, 2020). "Superstar Racing Experience Is Creating A Fresh Take On IROC". Forbes. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  6. "Tony Stewart comments on SRX tracks". Racing News. 2020-08-30. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  7. "FURY to design, build SRX race cars". Racer. October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  8. Tomlinson, Joy (July 22, 2020). "Tony Kanaan Will Compete in Tony Stewart & Ray Evernham's SRX". Frontstretch. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  9. Ryan, Nate (July 29, 2020). "Paul Tracy latest driver to join Tony Stewart/Ray Evernham SRX series". NBC Sports. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  10. Albino, Dustin (August 14, 2020). "Bobby Labonte Wants Bragging Rights in SRX Series". Frontstretch. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  11. Mayer, Matthew (August 19, 2020). "Helio Castroneves three-time Indy 500 winner, to join SRX series". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  12. "Willy T. Ribbs added to Superstar Racing Experience lineup". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  13. Mayer, Matthew (September 9, 2016). "Mark Webber, nine-time Formula One Grand Prix winner, joins SRX Series". CBSSports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  14. "Let's officially welcome Bill Elliott to the SRXRacing family". twitter.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  15. Ryan, Nate (December 7, 2020). "Ernie Francis Jr. joins Tony Stewart/Ray Evernham SRX series for 2021". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  16. "IndyCar veteran Marco Andretti joining Superstar Racing Experience series". MotorSportsTalk | NBC Sports. 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  17. "INSIGHT: Why Evernham feels the time is right for a modern reimagining of IROC". RACER. 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  18. Gillispie, Zach (2020-11-13). "SRX Announces First Track for 2021 Schedule: Eldora". Frontstretch. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  19. Brown, Nathan (December 9, 2020). "Tony Stewart's Superstar Racing Experience series to run at Lucas Oil Raceway in 2021". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  20. "Superstar Racing Experience at Stafford". MotorSportsTalk | NBC Sports. 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  21. Ryan, Nate (January 4, 2021). "Tony Stewart/Ray Evernham SRX series announces full schedule, tracks for 2021". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  22. "Stewart, Evernham to re-create IROC as SRX". ESPN.com. 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  23. Mayer, Ryan (July 13, 2020). "'Shorter Races, More Exciting Formats, Bring To Life Driver Personalities': CBS To Air Superstar Racing Experience In 2021". CBS Boston. CBS. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
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