This August, the world of motorsports turns its attention to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon lines up against McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown in an eagerly awaited IROC revival during the Monterey Historics. The event, which sets the stage for Jeff Gordon racing IROC revival at Laguna Seca, reawakens the spirit of inter-series rivalry and classic racing drama not seen since the legendary days of the International Race of Champions (IROC).
A Legendary Duel Returns to Center Stage
In 1999, Michigan International Speedway hosted what many consider the most dramatic finish in IROC history. The iconic battle between Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. exemplified the cross-generational intensity that made IROC a motorsport tradition, drawing in fans beyond regular NASCAR circles and sparking conversations about family legacy and competition. Such narrative-rich encounters cemented IROC’s place in racing folklore, keeping its legend alive for decades.
Now, as anticipation rises for the series‘ 2025 revival, a new generation of racing fans and legends stand poised to add their chapter. This time, the event brings together two highly respected names from different corners of the racing world: Zak Brown, renowned for his executive leadership at McLaren and his on-track history, and Jeff Gordon, one of NASCAR’s most celebrated champions. Their faceoff exemplifies the heart of IROC—uniting the best, regardless of discipline or background.

Zak Brown’s Unexpected Challenge to Jeff Gordon
The announcement dropped with a burst of excitement when Zak Brown, who has steered McLaren Racing toward a new era of success, revealed on social media that he would return to the driver’s seat for the IROC revival. His post showed his hands on the wheel of a classic 1977 IROC Camaro—once piloted by racing legends like Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip—at Riverside International Raceway, his home circuit.
Brown wrote,
“First drive in this legendary IROC winner raced by Cale Yarborough & Darrell Waltrip at my home track, Riverside International Raceway. Prepping for the Monterey Historics this August… and just found out I’ll be racing Jeff Gordon and other legends. Shoutout to Ray Evernham for reviving the series,”
— Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing.
This reveal confirmed long-standing rumors and sent a wave of enthusiasm through the motorsports community. Not only will Brown compete in the event from August 13–16 at the celebrated Laguna Seca track—the setting famous for its Corkscrew turn and challenging layout—but he will do so in a car rich with history. The IROC Camaro he’ll drive has roots stretching back to both motorsport icons like Paul Newman and stars of the classic IROC days.
Elite Roster Assembles for IROC’s Comeback
The 2025 IROC revival isn’t solely about Brown and Gordon. Racing legends such as Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader, and Bobby Labonte will also return to the fold, promising a lineup that blends vintage star power with competitive spirit. The series‘ return in Monterey, after its absence since 2006, idealizes the mission of IROC founders: to pit champions on equal equipment and let driver skill shine.
Orchestrating this ambitious restart is none other than Ray Evernham, longtime NASCAR Hall of Famer and Jeff Gordon’s legendary former crew chief. Alongside Rob Kauffman, Evernham is motivated to relaunch IROC with a modern twist—focusing initially on vintage events before aiming for full-fledged racing competition in formats that unite NASCAR, Formula 1, and IndyCar stars without sponsor pressures. The 2024 Lime Rock exhibition laid the groundwork; now, Monterey’s event will showcase a full-throttle return.
Ray Evernham’s Vision for IROC’s Future
Ray Evernham’s direction for the new IROC era emphasizes neutrality in car branding and open competition among drivers from various top-level series. His goal is to create a field where the vehicles stand equal and races are decided purely by talent, echoing IROC’s original goal. For racing stars like Jeff Gordon and Zak Brown, this format offers a true test—where both veterans and fresh faces can stake their claim against peers on famous circuits like Laguna Seca.
Evernham’s co-ownership with Rob Kauffman is crucial in this robust effort, as they carefully plan not just the logistics but also the spirit of the racing events. The upcoming Monterey showcase will act as both a celebration of motorsport history and a proving ground for drivers eager to revisit their roots—and possibly inspire new fans.
Zak Brown: From Boardroom to Cockpit
While today’s fans often see Zak Brown as an executive shaping Formula 1 and McLaren Racing’s global business, his first love was racing itself. Brown’s driving career took off in the 1980s with an impressive record in karting, gathering 22 victories and three International Kart Federation (IKF) championships before moving to Europe’s open-wheel circuits. A GT win at Donington Park in 2012 stands out among his competitive highlights. Brown retired from professional racing in 2013, but his return for the IROC event marks a heartfelt revival of his competitive passions.
His recent comments convey the nostalgia and anticipation surrounding this comeback,
“First drive in this legendary IROC winner raced by Cale Yarborough & Darrell Waltrip at my home track, Riverside Int’l Raceway! Prepping for Monterey Historics in August… just found out I’m racing @JeffGordonWeb & other legends 😅🤦♂️ Shoutout to @rayevernham for reviving the…”
— Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing.
This blend of business savvy and racer’s spirit stands at the heart of IROC’s new chapter, offering a compelling narrative going into Monterey.
Memorable Moments and Behind-the-Scenes Stories
Zak Brown’s approach to motorsport leadership often involves bold moves. His time at McLaren has been marked by decisions that changed the racing landscape—none more so than his proposal that set Fernando Alonso on his course to race the Indy 500 while skipping Monaco in 2017. The story, rooted in a serendipitous dinner in China while McLaren struggled in Formula 1, began almost as a joke:
“Why don’t we pull Fernando out of Monaco and put him in the Indy 500?”
— Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing.
Initially dismissed as far-fetched—
“Everyone thought I was nuts. I kind of thought I was a bit nuts.”
— Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing—the idea turned transformative. Alonso was eager, responding the next morning with a simple, “Let’s do it.” What followed was a whirlwind, with deals made and plans set into motion for Alonso’s Indianapolis debut, which captured imaginations worldwide and signaled McLaren’s strategic reinvention.
Reflecting on that period, Brown said,
“It was huge news… Then he came up the next morning and went, ‘Let’s do it.’ I was like, ‘Oh man, I’ve gotta figure out how to put this together,’”
— Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing. The result was not only Alonso’s memorable performance at the Indy 500 but also the expansion of McLaren into new series, including a return to full-time American open-wheel racing and fresh participation in off-road and Formula E events. Brown’s risk-taking and vision form a clear parallel to IROC’s renewal—both driven by a willingness to challenge expectations.
Anticipating Laguna Seca’s Showdown
As the IROC revival draws nearer, speculation mounts over whether Jeff Gordon’s proven NASCAR expertise will prevail, or if Zak Brown’s experience and fresh competitive fire will yield a surprise. Both are joined by a formidable field: Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader, and Bobby Labonte, all aiming for glory at Laguna Seca’s storied Monterey Historics. Their participation elevates the event’s prestige, reminding fans that IROC’s philosophy is alive and well—pitting champions against each other on equal ground.
The return of the IROC concept—unfiltered, unsponsored racing at a challenging venue—rekindles memories of storied races involving legends like Dale Sr., Dale Jr., Cale Yarborough, and Darrell Waltrip. With Ray Evernham working behind the scenes and drivers eager to write the next legendary moment, Laguna Seca promises not just competition, but the revival of racing’s purest rivalries and stories.
For motorsport enthusiasts, the 2025 IROC race at the Monterey Historics signals more than a nostalgic nod to the past. It is a testament to the enduring allure of head-to-head competition, and a chance for both veterans and new fans to witness the drama that only all-star, cross-discipline racing can deliver.