2005 schedule announced

Crown Royal International Race of Champions Schedule Announced Famed series to make 25th appearance at Daytona

Hampton, Ga. - (Oct. 29, 2004) - Officials of the Crown Royal International Race of Champions (IROC) series announced today that the legendary series, which matches 12 of the best drivers from different divisions of auto racing in equally prepared cars, will run a four-race schedule in 2005 with the champion earning a $1 million prize.

For the 25th consecutive year, the Crown Royal IROC Series will run at the famed Daytona International Speedway. In 2005, the Series will open at Daytona on Friday, Feb. 18, 2005.

For the second year in a row, the Series will return to Texas Motor Speedway, with the second event of the four-race series set for April 15, 2005.

The short track of Richmond International Raceway will once again host the Crown Royal IROC Series, when the IROC cars are featured on Thursday, Sept. 8.

The 2005 Crown Royal IROC finale will return to Atlanta Motor Speedway to award the $1 million top prize, with the 12-car field set to run Oct. 29, 2005.

"The IROC season opener at Daytona during Speedweek is like a homecoming every year - it'll be extra special going back next year and celebrating our 25th race at the Speedway," said Jay Signore, president of the IROC Series. "We've really enjoyed this season with the new racetracks -- Texas, Richmond and Atlanta - and going back in 2005 gives us an opportunity to take what we learned the first time around and improve on it."

For the second consecutive year, the 2005 Crown Royal IROC Series champion will be awarded one $1 million with second through 12th paying $80,000, for a total purse of $1.9 million. SPEED Channel will televise the 2005 Crown Royal IROC Series. The broadcast schedule will be announced in early 2005.

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