The return of NASCAR on Sunday at Darlington Raceway was exactly what the country needed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (NASCAR Photo)
NASCAR led the way in returning to action amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (NASCAR Photo)

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Tony Stewart will climb back behind the wheel of a stock car for the first time since 2016 later this week at Circuit of the Americas. (HHP/Tom Copeland Photo)
The Superstar Racing Experience, led by Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham, will debut in 2021. (HHP/Tom Copeland Photo)

SUPERSTARS AT SHORT TRACKS

A new IROC-style series known as the Superstar Racing Experience will bring some of the biggest names in auto racing to six of America’s premier short tracks beginning next season.

“When you look at where people are with cars and motorsports, drivers have become more available and retirements have come younger and younger,” said former NASCAR crew chief and car owner Ray Evernham, who is spearheading the design and construction of the series’ cars. “We’re going to use drivers who love to race, but maybe they don’t want to race 30 times a year anymore.”

CBS Sports will televise the races and the roster of 12 drivers will include Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Mark Webber.

“We’ve set this up to bring the focus back to the drivers and their ability to compete head-to-head as opposed to the car deciding who wins,” Evernham noted.