Vintage IROC Dodge Avenger Track Day with Ray Evernham: Legendary Driver List and Still Run Hard!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ส.ค. 2023
- In our last video with Ray he showed us his IROC collection at Big Iron Garage... Today he brought the 1994 Dodge Avenger out to the road course at Virginia International Raceway for some track time! This Dodge Avenger bodied car started life as a 1984 Camaro IROC-Z and was used for ten years by a laundry list of legendary drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Petty, Wallace, Martin, Labonte, both Unsers, and many more. When we showed up we did not know which car he would have there, or that we would be able to go out and ride in it no less. Thats why we always bring our fire suits and helmets to any racetrack. (I have a Stilo ST5 helmet and Logans is a Carbon Simpson Bandit)
Official Merchandise! stapletonautoworks.com
/ stapleton42_
Instagram
Mitchell: @stapleton42_
Logan: @Logann42_
Join the Real G club to get access to behind the scenes stuff!
/ @stapleton42
Holley Performance Parts Link! holley-social.com/Stapleton42
Facebook Page: / stapleton42
Business Inquiries: mdstapleton42@gmail.com - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Something worth pointing out here. Just being around Ray all day you’d never know of his own accomplishments in racing. He really puts the importance of those who came before him first…especially with his passion for IROC history.
He is a true steward of motorsports and future generations will benefit greatly from his work. It’s an example I do my best to follow.
Many take from motorsports, but few give back. No matter how big or small we are…we can all give back to motorsports and help keep it thriving for generations to come. Share this video with a friend and help us keep it alive 🏁
Amen!
I have run across a 2004 Monte Carlo last ran in Busch North but appears to be a former Cup car. It’s painted up as Dale Jr’s 2004 Bristol Menards Busch car.
I have a few small blocks, a Rankin road race T10, a few rare Hurst Speedway shifters…
Thanks to you two I can’t get the want out of my head!
I pass my knowledge of building race cars onto the next generation of young people that show the interest in it, I’ve learned over my 40+ year career in racing, that I don’t waste my time on people that don’t put the work into it. That’s not to say that I don’t share my passion of racing with everyone but I don’t pass along the knowledge to everyone but the few that have the desire to learn and they are out there and you can tell who they are!
Absolutely, as a lifelong JG Fan I grew up with Ray. @ 29:39 I am a F-Body fanatic so I am with you there. Owned a 99 WS6 as well as an 01 WS6. I credit a lot of my love to 90’s IROC.
You can add the Steward title to your name young man. Documenting this history is important and you two are doing an awesome job.
Ray is a legend. Any interview with him always turns out fantastic. His enthusiasm comes through the screen to me. I’m an old Nascar / motor sports geek. I ❤ Ray Evernham!!!
It really does. Reminds me of the saying “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”
Preach! I was a Gordon fan my entire childhood to his retiring, Ray will always be a legend to me!!
Ray is a very down to earth guy I have had the privilege of getting to talk to him and Erin a few times and they are great people
Man, Ray makes me feel old by saying 40 years ago. I watched these racing in person back then. Another great video
I’m not 40 but it makes me feel old because in the timeline of my head the 80s was not that long ago and I’m 27 😂
LOL I'm sitting here thinking wow that cars 10 years younger than I am
I remember watching the gen3 Camaro IROCs run at Watkins Glen. I'm 46 now and things like this are finally making me start to feel old. Glad I got to witness things like that though, for sure
@@Stapleton42At 53 years old the 80’s were not that long ago. 😂
People like Ray and Dale Jr, are great for what they do to keep racing alive nascar and iroc were so cool back in the day
Man that was such a dream come true, bucket list type of day. We are so grateful Ray invited us to come out, so much fun.
Ray Evernham is my favorite crew chief, so to see him having fun is absolutely amazing.
My computer desktop background is the Earnhardt IROC Dodge car like on your thumbnail. Looks so cool and because I work for Chrysler,,, or the “Stellantis” flavor at this time.
Thank you Ray for Saving these gems! And thank you both for making these vids. The shop tours, boat stuff, hydrogen hot rods, all interesting.
That’s awesome! See if someone at Stellantis can get us access to the warehouse with prototype race car stuff 😂
If I could I definitely would, might be able to email someone though? I’m a blue collar die maker apprentice, can’t get very far for access but… wish you could see the building, it’s the stamping plant built in 1948 (Dodge City). Old wood block floor, rivets in the I beams instead of welded.
I can just imagine what old classic car panels were stamped there, also what trunk lid and hoods in NASCAR went through that plant.
We just had a guy with 56 years retire at the end of June, lots of stories.
Thanks again Mitch!
The contacts you've made in the past 12-18 months or so is life changing lol. Like the stuff you 2 get to see and who you've gotten to talk with now is bucket list type stuff lol
Absolutely a dream come true, we are so grateful!
I know man it’s crazy. Just waking up like oh this is what we’re doing today is pretty wild to think about 😂
Way kewl to see Ray putting so much deliberate effort into the history and lineage of the IROC series. Also, think Mitchell and Logan should Pat themselves on the back, to acknowledge to themselves, the recognition Ray is giving them for the part they are playing in this. Y’all’s stuff matters…
Thanks man. It is a great feeling knowing what we do ACTUALLY does something good.
I really like the the IROC series it sets up for the biggest names In every racing division to push there limits and just go all out with no spotters and just go with there gut feeling.
Absolutely!
What an amazing opportunity to ride along with Ray!
Absolutely!
Getting to ride in THAT car with THAT driver is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Awesome!
Absolutely!! Thanks man
Ray is a genius at racing. I know a family of good people up here in southeast Pennsylvania that visit Ray once a year at his place. Her husband does the legend car decals. The Serwell’s are great people and have told me Ray is incredibly gracious.
He’s a great guy
I always had great respect for Ray Evernham. Especially for what he did with Jeff Gordon and IROC. Jeff Gordon's T-Rex was a work of genius
Not meant for a second seat. Nor a person of Mitchell's height in it. And Ray don't sell yourself short. You sir are also a Legend! Though we all can appreciate your admiration of those whose driving ability is legendary.
I am absolutely envious of your opportunities to not just breathe the same air as these legends, but to pick their brains and develop friendships with them so easily and seemingly effortlessly is such a gift and honor and privilege!!!!!! I would give up my left arm and be willing to be called stumpy for the rest of my life to work with you and be a fly on the wall when you have these incredible meetings with these gods of motorsports
😂 thanks man. No one came down with a magic wand. I had no family connections and was a total outsider 5 years ago
How frikking cool is that. You and Logan are living the dream. Love your videos and the effort you guys are putting into preserving the history of Nascar and the IROC Series. Ray Evernham is a Legend that has probably forgotten more than most of us will ever know. I could listen to him for hours. Seems like a genuinely nice guy. You guys keep up the great work. Y'all are killin it!
Thanks man!!
What he said!
Stapleton I admire you for being young and so into the history of NASCAR hope to hear from you soon ,andy
I like Ray cause he just acts like a simple man but he has so much knowledge in NASCAR it's unbelievable he still could be a crew chief today and have more champions under his belt but doesn't need to prove nothing no more he's one of the greatest with the wood brothers,the pettys , junior Johnson,give him his props he deserves it
Well said
The Avenger and the Firebird are easily the two best looking IROC cars ever. I may not have seen the Avengers running on TV, but I do have some fond memories of the Firebirds running at Daytona and Talladega
And this IROC RACING dose need to come back ! Truly was worth watching !
Thanks man we agree!
I bought an IROC Firebird in January of 2022. I got it on the track last fall and this spring at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA. I plan on running it at the Historic 24 Hour race at Daytona in November. These cars are so much fun to drive! Everyone is welcome to come and see and hear my car at Daytona in November! I am so glad that Ray will be developing a "registry!" Put my name on the list Ray!
That’s awesome I would love to hear that car run at Daytona. You need another driver for your rotation? 😂
The IROC shop was 40 minutes away from my home. Watched Ray race at Wall Stadium. Hell of a nice guy. Thanks for sharing.
I will be so happy just to get a hello from you Ray.
The legends that drove this car and YOU rode in it. I’m blown away!! 🎉
Wow what a cool video concept. A lot of your guy's stuff is something that otherwise would have been on like the speed channel or a special on TBS in the 90s. It really fills an otherwise missing gap in good racing video content.
Thanks man! That is a great compliment
I couldn't agree more!
I was born in '82 so you're covering and hanging out with a bunch of guys I looked up to.
I'm 62 and I think its great what you two are doing to preserve racing history through your channel. Those bearings made in 1979 was the year I graduated HighSchool like your dad.
Ray is the man. Such a wealth of knowledge, and still making an impact with what he's doing here, big iron garage, and SRX, just to name a few. Thanks again to you and Logan for bringing this content to us all!
Thank you Steve!
Those were the days! It's great what you do,,, hearing the stories is awesome!
Thanks man!
Riding with The Crewchief. ❤ Great job guys!
I like the running commentary during Logan's run. Ray did look mad. Lol.
Good to know! We will do future racing videos the same way with my short track car. Ray was in the zone 😂
I used to have the coolest Iroc n Roll Chevy T-shirt. Held onto it for a long time, but eventually at some point in my adolescent party days I lost it.
Now I need to find me another, a reprint or whatever. I want to rock that shirt again
Its always a pleasure too listen to Ray Everham😊
I wish I would have spelled his last name right 🙃
Oh man! Another amazing video coming!
Absolutely! Thanks man!
@@Stapleton42 👍
Well, modern racecars had to come from somewhere. It's cool to see all the old racecars being preserved and made fit again for their purpose: going hard around the racetrack! 😎😎🤘🤘
Ray's enthusiasm is infectious. I am happy that you guys were given the opportunity to do an on-track ridealong , you definitely put in the leg work to earn it.
Thanks again for your dedication & devotion towards keeping American racing history alive.
Thank you Kurt we appreciate you!
It would be so damn cool if you and Ray could get some of the names on that list together, and just have a BS session about running these cars.. especially interested in hearing guys like the Unser,Rahal, and Steve ( the freaking GOAT!) Kinser from their backgrounds… great video!
There may be an opportunity to do that…stay tuned
I love seeing those old cars back on the track.
Us too. It’s just amazing
Those cars put on the best show at the plate tracks and mile and a halfs 🤟
That was the era of IROC I loved watching when I was a kid. I love how you are showing the history of the cars and the legends of the sport. Keep up the great work the both of you.
Thanks man!! We appreciate you
Another banger. Awesome that you got to go and experience this with a ride along and all. You could see Logan smiling thru the ride along for sure. I saw you respond to another commenter about her hand - hope it heals up soon. All a part of the process of building cars, got more wounds than I can remember lol.
"We don't wany this kind of stuff to get lost." Yes, 100% right. Thanks for being a part of helping to keep it alive.
Thanks man 💪🏻
I seen the IROC firebirds race at Richmond and they had an awesome sound!!! You guys are living the life, thanks for bringing us along!!!!
I was @VIR the day this video was recorded, roughly 5 garages from Ray. Good stuff. And yes, Ghost passed me on the backstretch. Twice.
That’s awesome 😂
Me being from New Jersey makes me have a special place in my heart for IROC race cars. A few years ago I drove by the old shop in Tinton Falls NJ
I’ve said it before but will say it again. I’m living vicariously through you two b/c you’re meeting & talking to a whole bunch of my childhood heroes. And now you took me/us on a ride in a 40 year old IROC car driven by the Rainbow Warrior Wizard. Thanks for this channel and the historical journey you’re taking us on. Take care & stay safe. Cheers
I've said this is another video, Ray is just so passionate. So down to earth. Appreciates all racing history. Could listen to him for days.
These teasers with your car in the back ground is gold for building the hype, but agonizing to wait for! LOL
I’m glad it’s working 💪🏻😂
Ray Evernham is another one of the greats of Motorsports. Thank you again Sir.
Thanks man!
I hope to hear from u Stapleton or Ray you will make my day.
Sup
You can see Logan's grin in her helmet! Thanks for the video!
We appreciate you Dave 💪🏻
So cool that Ray is developing a registry for the IROC cars. It was a fun series to watch.
I have cold chills watching yall, I couldn't imagine being there.
You two have really been getting around. Very proud!!
Thank you Greg! I was very excited to get the call from these guys. Tons of fun and great to know we were able to help Ray find more cars
So envious of you both, getting to run around in a legend of a car, a legend crew chief and one if the best race tracks….
Ray was hauling ass, he really wanted to catch that ZL1.
Busch car looks like it's coming along nicely.
Very cool...! Thanks, keep up your awesomeness and go enjoy some nature today...! Don't forget to compliment someone today...
Ray started out driving big block modifieds and tour type modifieds at Flemington NJ... If you ever get to go to Ray's shop again, make it a point to have him tell you in depth about that DiRT on Asphalt modified... those cars were absolutely insane. To my eye, the Avenger IROC cars were the best era of the series. They looked like rocketships.
Ray has a lot to do with SRX now... the man know cars... and can build them... amazing man!
Guaranteed quality, willing to wait. Good on ya and keep doing, this stuff matters!
You got it man! Thank you
@@Stapleton42
🏁That turned out nice🏁
It's kind of fun watching the race shops "need" to explain why they aren't building a "race motor"; those that don't understand "endurance engine" have some more learning to do before trashing someone's engine build.
Running a dedicated competition race car is fun, driving one on the street is very often a ummmmm, an intense experience that requires a learned mindset in order to be completely comfortable (IF it can even be registered/tagged/insurred in "your" location).
Funny to hear Ray say that he's not any of those drivers, but guess what Ray, those drivers ain't you either, your a HALL OF FAMER in your own right buddy.
The colors of the Iroc cars. Always remembered me of Bumpercars. They should be brought back.
😂 I see what you mean
Mitchell ,Logan, yall are making 🔥videos all the time, nobody is going to these old guys and Hall of Famers and getting all this info, it's truly amazing.
Awesome that you get to hang out with Ray especially a ride along!!!
Absolutely!
It was nice of Ray doing all that. I would love for y'all to do a video on the evaluation and differences of the NASCAR chassis going from the Banjo rear steer type chassis to the Laughlin front steer type chassis. I've always been a racing chassis buff and how they all work.
That’s a good idea!
What a thrill I know you guys had a rush, I know I would Ray is so cool preserving history and you guys never disappoint fantastic stuff
Thanks man!
Wow Mitch, this is way beyond epic! You are blessed to infinity. Proud of you!
VIR is a very fun place. Technical, fast, and easy to make small mistakes.
Very hilly.
I remember an IROC race and they were trying out a V-6 engine and Dale Earnhardt was pissed and he wasn't going to race a gutless V-6, around the third lap he intentionally blew his motor up and I don't blame him because of the gas shortage they were trying to change fuel consumption, that was when I was street racing a 70 road runner we would drive on the airport tarmac and fill up with aviation fuel, you should interview Larry Clement who owns the Iowa Speedway a lot of history how he bought a almost bankrupt Feather lite trailer manufacturing co and introduced the official NASCAR trailer and ARCA race team owner and driver Frank Kimmel.
In addition to the names listed, a definite legend in his own right, Mr Wing tips himself, Dave Marcis was utilized by iroc to shake down and practice the cars, so theres a good chance he has also ran this car.
Man I work on those when I was with REI way back in the day. That is where Ray got this from.
That’s what I was thinking that it was a Banjo chassis, the 65 Galaxie front end. My 65 Galaxie, I’ve had it over 150 on a country asphalt road with a 394 ci FE. Those chassis are so smooth and they just feel right.
Thats awesome they raced on the Burke Lake Front Air Port. I go there all the time for the Cleveland air show
I hope they bring back the IROC series
I loved the iroc cars ….that had to have been awesome to hang out with ray all day pretty badass
Yes it was!
Very cool stuff. I love IROC and VIR, so it was great to see one of these cars back on track.
Congrats Logan for ‘fun’ ride along (nothing like a ride along with DeNofa or Vonn) ahhh, the smell of clutch and tires in the morning…
I got to ride in those IROC Dodge Avengers @ Marlboro Hotlaps around Kentucky Speedway. Trust me... they have plenty of power! Scared the crap out of me going around those corners every lap! It's amazing how they stick to the road like they do! Good times!! Great video!
Thanks man it could have been this exact car!
we drove detuned Iroc series cars at Marlboro racing school. Won the trip in 1999. It was an awesome experience. Also ran open wheel Van Diemon cars.
That’s awesome!
This is so cool!! I went to MIS for the Marlboro ride along day. It was awesome! Rode in the @IROC car on the big track, a GT 500 style Mustang drift car and a Pagani sports car around a road course that was created for this program in the infield of the big track! This brings back so many memories! Huge fan of Ray Evernham also! He was crew chief for my favorite driver as a kid....
Still pinching myself! The people you meet!!!
I always enjoy Ray Evernham. He was a legend in racing
This was 2003/4 I believe but I used to smoke Marlboro and I was selected to go to my local track which is Dover and they had a track day with iroc cars and Mustang drift cars painted all painted the exact same as the iroc cars which was the Marlboro red white colors like this Iroc car. They had food and drinks for us, safety classes. It was a blast.
That’s awesome. This car would have been there!
Nice looking car, great to see Ray having so much fun.
I used to watch Ray race street stocks at wall stadium in the early-mid 80s.
The IROC series was my favorite racing to watch. It really showed off who had the most talent behind the wheel because the cars where all the same. I would love to get my hands on one of the firebird IROC cars. It’s cool to see Mr. Evernhams enthusiasm for these old IROC cars and glad he is saving them for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
Thanks for sharing!!! Glad Logan got to experience the ride.
Thanks for watching!
Ray is such a treasure. Such a great interview every time. The immaculate work he does restoring and preserving history is right up there. You can tell he has a passion for the cars and their stories. As a Jeff Gordon fan I’ve always had a special place in my heart for him. He used to follow my old Instagram when he seen a photo of my great uncle Kenny’s restored dirt modified and it was pretty special to me! I could listen to him tell stories for hours. Keep up the great work both of you guys! And thank you.
Thanks man we appreciate you!
It`s great that people can save this history instead of cutting it up for scrap.
“We don’t want this kind of stuff to get lost” amen brother
If you guys haven’t done a driving school yet I highly recommend it! It was a check on my bucket list.
We would love to
My T-10 came out of gear like that too in my late model. Interestingly, it came out of gear during qualifying one time but I was still able to put down a quick lap. The crew installed a bungee strap for the race whereby I could strap it down once in 4th gear. Then we rebuilt the tranny and it was good to go afterwards.
Yinz are truly livin the dream!! Ray is quite the master on makin things happen,,,and Yinz get a ride with Him!!!!!
That’s awesome you guys got a ride . Race car sounds are the best
Absolutely 💪🏻
I think Ray gave Logan the better ride. Sounded like that Camaro really did light a fire under him. Very cool experience for both of you though.
He absolutely did 😂
That was awesome. I love how he wants to start a registrars of all the cars from the IROC series.
You two need to go to Richard Petty NASCAR experience. My wife bought me a drive for my 51st birthday. I still remember it like it was yesterday.
That old modified Ray has is wild. He got an old coupe but the front is set up like a modern mod. Love it
Ray's IROC history is phenomenal I stand in awe and thanks for the video work !!!
Thanks man!
The Iroc series when they were 3rd gen Camaros played a huge roll in making it my favorite car, along with learning to drive in a road iroc z28
They were amazing looking cars
LOVING the IROC content!!! It was one of the most under rated series ever and I wish they had a series like it today! Growing up around the Unser’s it was always a series I had a closer connection to seeing the Unsers’s run and BEAT the “real oval driver” and outrun the “ringers” on the road courses! ❤
You guys know I’ve been with you for awhile now with that said; the nascar driver I rooted for(as they say “my driver”)was Jeff Gordon even in the #1 Baby Ruth Ford 🤣 so you being able to hangout with Ray is be on awesome what a opportunity you had. It must have been a great experience. You should if you didn’t already ask him his advice about the setup in your car. Great video!! Oh sorry Mitchell but Logan got the better ride 🤣 you could see Ray started to hustle the car a little more. Again super video guys keep it up!!!
😂 thanks man
Seeing that car and the other ones on track bring back some great memories!
Awesome!