Legends Clash at Ten Tenths Motor Club: Busch Edges Gordon in Thrilling IROC Event at the 2026 Heritage Invitational

By IROC, April 16, 2026 //

Although Friday’s IROC Presented by Chevrolet event at the Heritage Invitational was described as an exhibition, the atmosphere at the sold-out Ten Tenths Motor Club made it feel more like a championship showdown. NASCAR Hall of Famers Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon showcased their enduring competitive spirit on Concord, North Carolina’s 1.7-mile road course, delivering impressive performances that thrilled fans and had them cheering enthusiastically.

The 12-lap sprint race delivered a classic showdown, as two motorsport icons traded the lead several times in a thrilling, strategic battle. Busch steered his vivid purple IROC Pontiac Firebird to victory, narrowly ahead of Gordon's silver Firebird, which remained right on his tail as they crossed the finish line.

Busch was clearly moved by the atmosphere during the award ceremony, illustrating just how much the day's importance resonated with him. "It's amazing. Just the camaraderie and the fun that we all got to have. Just seeing all the cars on the track, all the colors, and the teamwork," Busch said. "Everyone, from IROC, Ray Evernham -- round of applause for Ray. He told me to get my car out from under a cover that it had been under for 20 years, and it's cool. It made us feel like kids again."

The battle wasn't just for show; it required every bit of veteran savvy Busch could muster. He noted that both he and Gordon found specific areas of the track where their respective cars had the upper hand. "And like Jeff was saying, Jeff was strong on the fast rights and into the braking zone, and it was like old school, like who is quick and where? And then the track did grease over, so, it was like that old school fun of I've got to figure this out to bring home the [win]," Busch explained.

While the duel between the lead pair was the highlight, they weren't the only ones showing winning speed. Bobby Labonte looked like a genuine threat early on, even muscling his way past Gordon to take the lead. However, the bid for victory ended prematurely when Labonte went for a spin shortly after moving to the front. Though he showcased the pace to win, he was forced to settle for an eighth-place finish in the 18-car field.

The event also highlighted the diverse history of the series by dividing the field into two distinct classes: the iconic IROC Firebird era and the Banjo chassis cars that preceded them. While Busch took the overall honors, sports car legend Scott Pruett secured the win for the Banjo class with an impressive third-place overall finish, followed by Tommy Kendall and Max Papis rounding out the front-runners.

Despite the narrow defeat, Gordon was all smiles after the race, acknowledging the parity between the legendary machines. "I think we put it all out there," Gordon admitted. "I mean, it was a great battle. I think our cars are pretty evenly matched. There were some places where he was stronger, other places where I was stronger. So, we were able to make some passes and just couldn't hold it. But Kurt drove a great race, and all in all, what a spectacular day out here at Ten Tenths. Thank you all for coming out."

For Gordon, the day was less about the trophy and more about the celebration of the sport’s lineage and the fans who grew up watching it. "I think all of us as drivers are having a blast out here, driving these IROC cars, seeing all of our heroes out here on the track. But most of all, just seeing all of the crowd come out and the great weather. So, yeah, I couldn't be happier than to be on the podium, but [Kurt] right here deserved to win," he added.