Dodge Avenger IROC Race Car, 1994
Dodge Avenger I
Dodge Avenger I•
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Auction: Indy 2019
Auction date: May 19, 2019
Lot No.: T233
$80,000 | High bid
- Exterior: Tan
- Raced in 31 IROC series races from 1984-1996
- Log book and maintenance records included
- Wins by Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, Geoff Brabham and Neil Bonnett
- Mark Martin won at Darlington in 1994
- Dale Earnhardt Sr. won at Talladega in 1995
- Sold on a bill of sale
Built by Edwin Keith “Banjo” Matthews, this Dodge Avenger-bodied IROC race car has been driven by a proverbial Who’s Who of racing legends including A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr., Dale Earnhardt, Gordon Johncock, Bobby Rahal, Danny Sullivan, Derek Bell, Darrell Waltrip, Steve Kinser, Scott Pruett, Hurley Haywood, Geoff Brabham, Roberto Guerrero, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte, Rusty Wallace, Harry Grant, Jochen Mass, Neil Bonnett, Tommy Kendall, Ken Schrader, Bob Wollek and Juan Manuel Fangio II. The Avenger was driven to two victories in the International Race of Champions (IROC) series. The first victory was scored by Mark Martin in 1994 at the “track too tough to tame,” Darlington Raceway.
A year later, Dale Earnhardt took victory in the car on the high banks of Talladega Superspeedway. The 9.0:1 compression IROC Dodge 355 CI V-8 racing engine was rebuilt by Ilmor Engineering, and it has only had 45 hours of runtime put on the clock since. It also retains its original Richmond Super T10 4-speed transmission, Stock Car Products quick-change rear end and front and rear IROC suspension. Using a tube-steel chassis, the Avenger stretches out on a 105-inch wheelbase riding on Steel Aero wheels with Goodyear Eagle racing tires. Coleman brakes and power steering aid drivers in keeping things under control.
Sold on a bill of sale, it’s interesting to note that this car competed in seven of eight IROC races between 1994 and 1995, and it became one of just 12 IROC Avengers used as promotional school cars for the Penske-run Marlboro Racing Experience from 1999 to 2010, when the IROC series ended. Each of the 12 cars were rebuilt and repainted in Marlboro livery and fitted with a passenger seat. This car was restored in 2016 back to its 1995 IROC appearance, keeping the minor mechanical upgrades and the passenger seat. That’s appropriate, as this machine has been driven by some of the finest drivers in motorsports.
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