The Marines have a saying…”once in, never out”. The same could often be said about NASCAR and auto racing. Even after they have announced their retirement, many drivers will run a few races, own teams, and even take on various broadcasting duties in order to stay close to the action.
NASCAR Hall of Famers Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham have created SRX – Superstar Racing Experience – a short-track racing series comprised of drivers from a variety of racing formats.
Two time Daytona 500 winners and FOX broadcasting member Michael Waltrip has joined Stewart – who has continued racing even after his retirement from NASCAR and a current Cup Series owner – and former crew chief Ray Evernham in the new series.
Waltrip spoke on joining SRX saying, “this is an awesome opportunity and I’m genuinely excited to get back in a race car. I still love racing and I still want to compete. SRX is a great platform and all of us want to win. We might have gray hair and maybe even no hair, but when we put that helmet on and go race, the desire and talent is still there. You want to see a show? We’re gonna put on a show.”
He added, “we all come from a short-track background. I mean, that’s where it all starts. Aero doesn’t matter. You’ve got more horsepower than you can put to the ground. It’s all about what you do behind the wheel. As a driver, that’s all you want.”
Other drivers expected to participate in SRX are Helio Castroneves, Bobby Labonte, Paul Tracy, Tony Kanaan, Willy T. Ribbs, Mark Webber, Bill Elliott, Ernie Francis Jr, and Marco Andretti.
Stewart and Evernham have fashioned the new series on the IROC – International Race of Champions – that had drivers from a number of racing formats competing in the same car with the same set ups.
Currently SRX has six races scheduled and is set to begin on June 12 at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. Nashville Fairgrounds, Knoxville Raceway, Slinger Speedway, Lucas Oil Raceway,and Eldora Speedway are also on the schedule.
feature photo credit: SRX Facebook page