I do dig those ’70s IROC Camaros....
Photography by Tom Suddard
Ray Evernham has been around the block when it comes to motorsports–and his shop offers a bit of his history in the sport.
Curiously, much of his collection consists of cars from IROC rather than NASCAR. Evernham got his big break in professional motorsports when IROC hired him on as chassis specialist. That led to the legendary career in NASCAR as a championship-winning crew chief that he’s best known for. Now he spearheads the effort behind today’s IROC, which aims to preserve the history of a series that pitted the best of the best in all of motorsport against each other.
Notably, NASCAR modifieds fill an entire row. Evernham started as a racer in this form of racing at local ovals in his native New Jersey. The orange modified of Richie Evans pops out. Evans was an innovative car builder and incredible racer who won nine NASCAR modified national championships, with eight coming in a row. After he tragically died in his race car during a practice session in 1985, IROC ran his No. 61 on the rear fender of its orange cars in remembrance of him. (There’s that IROC connection again.)
Yes, there are trophies, too, of course, and some more common cars, such as a Volkswagen Beetle, a Porsche 911 and a Chevrolet Corvette, but there’s also a few rarer ones, such as a Ferret. Evernham had restored a Crosley-powered Ferret that won its class at The Amelia. While no connection to IROC, it does demonstrate how successful people find success no matter where they go, even if it’s a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of a NASCAR pit road.
I do dig those ’70s IROC Camaros....
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Growing up at Riverhead Raceway, the X3 modified of Gentleman Jim Hendrickson stands out. Tony Ferrante owned the car and his son Tony Jr. raced with similar colors to the X3 for many years. The Ferrantes lived in the town next to me. The gas man for Tony Jr.'s Modified Tour team was in his 70s during the 2000s. He also was our spotter on the late model that I worked on and mentored me as I got into the sport. Small world.
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