Bill Elliott Revives Racing Career, Competes Against Jeff Gordon in IROC
Bill Elliott, now 70, will return to competitive racing for a special International Race of Champions event. The race is scheduled for April 10, 2026, during the Heritage Invitational at Ten Tenths Motor Club.
The Heritage Invitational runs April 9–11, 2026. Organizers present the IROC race as part of a weekend that celebrates motorsports history.
Historic driver, iconic achievements
Elliott is a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He last raced full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2003.
He won the 1988 NASCAR championship and recorded 44 Cup victories. His 1985 season produced 11 wins, including the Daytona 500, Southern 500, and Winston 500.
IROC format and competitors
The revived IROC field will bring top names together in identical machinery. That format removes team advantages and highlights driver skill.
- Jeff Gordon
- Kurt Busch
- Scott Pruett
Drivers will race in classic IROC Camaros and Firebirds used between 1974 and 2006. The event marks the East Coast debut of the revived series.
The announcement has been framed under themes such as Bill Elliott Revives Racing Career and Competes Against Jeff Gordon in IROC. The pairing renews interest in the equal-car concept.
Heritage Invitational activities and charity
The weekend will mix races with car culture exhibits and charity events. A Vintage Indy exhibition is scheduled during the festival.
Organizers also will host a Celebrity Pro-Am. Proceeds support Speedway Children’s Charities.
A concours d’elegance will display more than 115 collector cars. The show aims to connect fans with past and present motorsports moments.
Broadcast and leadership
The IROC race will be shown live by Racing America. Fans can watch drivers from multiple series compete on equal footing.
Ray Evernham will serve as executive director of the Heritage Invitational. Evernham, a former Cup Series crew chief, praised Elliott’s return and its appeal for fans.
Elliott was named the 2026 Heritage Invitational celebrant. He said he looks forward to meeting fans and celebrating car culture during the weekend.
This appearance puts a former NASCAR Cup Series champion back in a format built around equal competition and historic race cars. Filmogaz.com will follow developments and broadcast details as they emerge.
