DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Jan. 26, 2021) – After a historic debut season that set the high watermark in viewership for televised esports programming, the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series is set to return in 2021. (more…)
iRacing
Stewart-Haas eSports Announces Drivers for 2021 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series
| KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Jan. 12, 2021) – Stewart-Haas eSports, the simracing extension of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), has named its two drivers for the 2021 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series – Dylan Duval and Graham Bowlin.
Duval returns to Stewart-Haas eSports for a second straight season. The 25-year-old from Halifax, Nova Scotia, is the first Canadian iRacing winner in series history, taking the checkered flag at virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2016. Duval has made 93 starts in his eight-year career, scoring nine top-five and 25 top-10 finishes while earning a best points result of fifth in 2016. “I’m extremely proud to be back with Stewart-Haas eSports,” said Duval, who is a graphic designer when not competing in iRacing events. “It meant the world when they picked me last year and it’s really encouraging to know that this team has my back. They believe in my ability to run up front and I’m ready to show they made the right decision in having me return for a second season.” New to Stewart-Haas eSports is Bowlin, a Texas native who was a rookie in the 2020 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series. The 18-year-old from Houston finished 11th in the championship standings for Joe Gibbs Racing. He earned two poles and notched two top-fives and six top-10s with 90 laps led. Bowlin also scored a non-points victory in the All-Star Race at virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway. “I’m genuinely excited to join Stewart-Haas eSports,” said Bowlin, a senior in high school. “I have high expectations for this season and I think that being paired with Dylan makes our team really strong.” Bowlin will race Stewart-Haas eSports’ No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang and Duval will pilot the team’s No. 41 Ford Mustang. Smithfield has increased its involvement with Stewart-Haas eSports in 2021. The American food company with a global reach will be prominently featured on Bowlin’s No. 10 Ford Mustang for every race and will be the presenting sponsor of Stewart-Haas eSports LIVE, the team’s exclusive, in-race onboard stream. Smithfield will also present a weekly track overview that will be shared across the Stewart-Haas Racing and Stewart-Haas eSports social media accounts. “To amplify our 10th consecutive year of sponsorship within the sport, Smithfield is expanding its involvement by becoming more active in the esports space through our overall partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing,” said Tim Zimmer, Chief Marketing Officer, Smithfield. “We’re proud to support the emerging esports initiative within the industry and are thrilled to take this next step with Stewart-Haas eSports and Graham Bowlin.” The 2021 season marks the 12th year of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series and it is the only officially sanctioned esports series of NASCAR. The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series features the top-40 paved oval simracers in the world competing in racecar replicas engineered from the ground up in cooperation with real-world race teams, applying accurate mechanical and dynamic models on exact copies of NASCAR’s greatest venues. The schedule for the 2021 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series will be released at a later date. |
Track Talk – Thompson Speedway Has Three Upcoming Virtual iRaces / Strong List of Modifieds Already Entered for New Smyrna
THOMPSON, Conn. — Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park will come to virtual life three times during the winter months, as a new iRacing series will give drivers and fans a chance to prepare for the 2021 season. In a series promoted by Souza Media, full-time Modified, Late Model & Super Late Model drivers from across New England will compete in three different races — including the virtual historic Thompson 300 — with one-race in January, another in February and a final in March.
The series will help preview the real-life season at Thompson for 2021 — which is slated to begin with the annual Icebreaker weekend from April 9-11, and hold six oval events, promoted by the American Canadian Tour and Pro All Star Series. All three iRacing events will take place on Saturday’s — January 23, February 20 and March 20 — and will all begin with the drop of the green flag at 2PM. The feature races will air live, in full, on Extreme Sim TV, via Facebook and YouTube. Qualifying heat races, consolation races and a B-Main will be conducted prior to the broadcast start.
The three iRacing events will include an opener with iRacing’s SK Modified, previewing the Sunoco Modified season at Thompson, on January 23, for a 100-lap event. The second will put some of New England’s best Late Model stars together in ACT-style Late Models for their own 100-lapper on February 20. The final will help promote and preview the return of the historic Thompson 300, as Tour-Type Modifieds are used for a virtual 300-lapper on March 20. In real-life, officials are bringing back the Thompson 300 as part of the Sunoco World Series of Racing at Thompson in October of 2021.
“This iRacing series will give drivers and fans of Thompson Speedway a chance to come together during the cold winter months for some virtual racing,” Kyle Souza, owner of Souza Media, said. “We’re looking forward to watching the Thompson 300 in real-life, but we think this virtual experience will showcase some of what it will take to win the real-life event and get fans energized for the October 2021 race.”
- A maximum of 29 drivers will start each race, in order to keep the car count reasonable on a tight, banked track, and produce green flag racing. Out of the 29 competitors, 28 drivers will qualify through the heats, consi’s and B-Main sessions, while one provisional is available for a most recent Thompson track champion or Modified, Late Model or Super Late Model champion, if needed. If no champions fail to qualify, the provisional may be used for a promoters option. Qualifying will begin at 10 AM on each of the race days, while there will also be multiple practice sessions prior to race day.
In order to be eligible for the events, drivers must fit one of the requirements put in place by officials. Race officials have the final determination on eligibility and may elect to refund participants who register but don’t fit qualifications. For all three events, drivers must be:
A current or past full-time weekly competitor in Late Models, Super Late Models or Modifieds
A current or past touring series competitor in Late Models, Super Late Models or Modifieds
Immediate crew member of one of the above drivers — defined as either a car owner, crew chief or spotter.
*If all spots are not filled for the event five days prior to event start, fans of Thompson Speedway, Modifieds, Super Late Models or Late Models will be able to register to fill the spots*
The first 60 entered drivers will be registered for the event. Anyone who registers past that 60 number will be placed on a waitlist. Registration fees are $15 per event, or $45 for the entire series. Registration can be completed at kylesouza.com/thompson-
A payout is guaranteed for the top-five at the end of each race, with a minimum of $50 to win the feature. The virtual Thompson 300 will pay at least $125 to win. Sponsorship opportunities for the series are available by emailing kylesouzamedia@gmail.com. Sponsorships will include full race deals and contingency awards.
VIRTUAL THOMPSON iRACING SERIES SCHEDULE:
January 23 — SK Modified — 100 laps
February 20 — Late Models — 100 laps
March 20 — Tour-Type Modified — 300 laps
Source: SOUZA MEDIA
Source: Speed51
The year 2020 is still not over, but Tour-type Modified fans already have reason to smile in 2021, as the entry list for the 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing is already packed with talent. With 19 drivers entered so far for the five nights in February at New Smyrna Speedway, the anticipation in the Northeast is high heading into Florida Speedweeks.
Three-time New Smyrna World Series Tour-type champion Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT is expected to do a part-time schedule in the No. 6 while the ‘Mighty Modifieds’ are in town from February 8 to 12, as he begins his third NASCAR Cup Series season with JTG-Daugherty Racing just up I-95 at Daytona International Speedway.
As for those going for the championship, two-time and defending New Smyrna champion Matt Hirschman is entered in the No. 60, while 2014 Tour-type & two-time World Series SK Modified champion Ron Silk of Norwalk, CT. is slated to make his return to New Smyrna for the first time since 2018, driving in the No. 16 Modified he fielded on multiple occasions in 2020.
Rounding the list of former champions is another two-time champion, Chuck Hossfeld, who is also returning to New Smyrna after a year away. Hossfeld will field the No. 2 for Gershow Motorsports; the family team also has both J.R. and Joe Bertuccio also on the provisional entry list.
The Catalano family is once again expected to be heading south in full force this coming February. Tommy Catalano is entered in the PSR No. 17 for the second-straight year. Meanwhile, the family operation has Timmy, Tyler, and Amy Catalano all entered for the week as well.
The ‘Long Island Gang’ is so far represented by two of its toughest customers, both also from the racing town of Riverhead. Former Turkey Derby winner Dave Sapienza is heading back, looking to put his No. 36 in New Smyrna victory lane for the first time. Meanwhile, Eric Goodale will look to add to his win total, and take the No. 58 to its first World Series championship.
While Preece and Silk currently form the veteran arm of Connecticut entrants, it’s Ronnie Williams who heads up the list of young guns in the No. 50, with the former Tri-Track Open Modified Series and Stafford Speedway SK Modified champion expected to make his first start at New Smyrna since 2018.
Entered for their New Smyrna debuts, 2018 Stafford SK Light champ Marcello Rufrano caught the attention of the Modified world with his first Tour-type win at Stafford in 2020. Stafford SK race winning driver and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour winning crew chief Stephen Kopcik will make his first appearance as a driver in the No. 179, previously attending New Smyrna as a crew member.
Veteran Upstate New York short tracker Chris Finocchario is entered to make his World Series debut in his No. 8 Modified.
New Jersey’s Eddie McCarthy is heading back with his No. 20 after using the 2020 World Series as learning experience for the future.
Brian Robie of New Hampshire is heading back to New Smyrna with redemption on his mind, after destroying his engine early in the week in 2020. Robie and the No. 25 camp are looking for their first World Series race win after sweeping Modified track titles at Claremont Motorsports Park, Monadnock Speedway and Hudson International Speedway back home in 2020.
Perhaps most excited is the lone southern driver entered thus far, Florida’s own Jeremy Gerstner. The former Southern Modified Racing Series champion is eager to pit his new No. 55 Modified against the competition over the five nights of action.
The 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing will run for nine straight nights once again 2021, February 5 through 13. The David Rogers Super Late Models, Florida Modifieds, and Pro Late Models will each run for seven of the nine nights.
The Tour-type Modifieds will begin their first of five-straight nights on Monday, February 8 with a 50-lap feature alongside the season opener for the ARCA Menards Series East. Following at 35-lap sprint race on Tuesday, the John Blewett III Memorial 76 takes center stage on Wednesday, February 10. Another 35-lap feature is on for Thursday, with the Tour Mod schedule wrapping on Friday, February 12 with the Richie Evans Memorial 100.
The World Series itself concludes on Saturday, February 13 with the Orange Blossom 100 for Super Late Models headlining the ninth night.
Stay with Speed51 for more news as Speedweeks 2021 draws ever closer.
-Story by: Connor Sullivan, Speed51 Northeast Editor – Twitter: @Connor51CT
-Photo credit: Speed51
FIREDISC® Cookers Partners With IceBox Pickup Throwdown iRacing Truck Series
HOUSTON, TEXAS, May 12, 2020 — FIREDISC® Cookers is excited to announce its partnership with the IceBox Pickup Throwdown iRacing Truck Series. On May 7th, FIREDISC® presented Round 3 of the eSports streaming series – FIREDISC 100 at Michigan International Speedway.
“We are thrilled to be an official partner of the IceBox Pickup Throwdown iRacing Truck Series,” said Griff Jaggard, President and Co-Founder of FIREDISC®. “The popularity of eSports is on the rise, especially in a time where traditional sports leagues are postponed or even canceled. We are excited to sponsor such an awesome eSports streaming series and look forward to this continued partnership.”
The IceBox Pickup Throwdown iRacing Truck Series is a five race eSports streaming series that culminates with a championship finale. The series is an invite-only event created exclusively for NASCAR Truck Series and Xfinity Drivers who will accumulate points throughout the series and compete for the championship bundle of cash and prizes. Each event is 100 laps and is broadcasted live on Thursday nights via YouTube and Twitch.
- April 23, 8pm EST – Texas Motor Speedway Gen-Y Hitch 100
- April 30, 8 pm EST – Kansas Speedway Rich Mar Florist 100
- May 7, 8pm EST – Michigan International Speedway FIREDISC 100
- May 14, 8pm EST – World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway Bommarito.com 100
- May 21, 8pm EST – The Championship Homestead Miami Speedway IceBox 100
For more information about FIREDISC® Cookers, visit www.firedisccookers.com or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.
FIREDISC® Cookers
Texas-based FIREDISC® Cookers specializes in the design and manufacturing of the world’s most innovative, high-quality and versatile outdoor grills and accessories. The company was founded by two entrepreneurial brothers, Griff and Hunter Jaggard, who, armed with a makeshift tractor plow disc, set out on a mission to build a cooker worthy of everyone from the world’s top chefs to hunters, backyard family grill masters, tailgaters and campers. FIREDISC® Cookers products are currently sold nationally via online and through national retailers. Heavy-duty carbon steel construction renders the cookers indestructible, while meticulous designs yield convenient portability and ease of use. For more information, visit http://www.firedisccookers.com
eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series Coverage Resources and News & Notes – Virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway
eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series
Next Race: North Wilkesboro 160
The Place: Virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway
The Date: Saturday, May 9
The Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: FOX (where available and subject to change), FS1 and FOX Sports App
Distance: 160 laps
Wrapping up the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series at North Wilkesboro
With one more weekend until NASCAR returns to the real track, drivers and fans are continuing to turn to the virtual world of iRacing to see some of the best racing competition around.
This weekend’s race at the historic virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway wraps up the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series as the NASCAR Cup Series returns to action on May 17 at Darlington Raceway.
NASCAR, iRacing and FOX Sports teamed up to deliver the first-ever eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series event, the Dixie Vodka 150, at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway after all national pro sports were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic several weeks back. The event produced a wild finish that saw Denny Hamlin just barely beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the line. Fans responded with an overwhelming reaction setting records in eSports viewership, and as a result FOX Sports committed to covering the remainder of the eNASCAR iRacing season.
The second eNASCAR iRacing event took place at virtual Texas Motor Speedway and again was a success with the fans. Longtime iRacing veteran and rising NASCAR star Timmy Hill won the race with an aggressive move on William Byron to take the win.
The third race of the Pro Invitational Series was at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway, where iRacing veteran William Byron showed off his talents dominating the event and taking the checkered flag. Next, the series went to virtual Richmond Raceway, where Byron once again took the checkered flag and won back-to-back races. The virtual race at Talladega Superspeedway was won by Alex Bowman and last weekend’s race at virtual Dover International Speedway was won by Byron. In total Byron leads the series with three wins.
This Saturday, May 9, the series heads to virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway for the series finale the North Wilkesboro 160 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX (where available and subject to change), FS1 and the FOX Sports app.
History of North Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro Speedway in Wilkes County, North Carolina, has a wide and renowned history in NASCAR dating back to 1949. The last time the venue hosted a NASCAR national series race was in 1996 when NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon won the NASCAR Cup Series event before the track closed.
The .625-mile short track was built in 1946 and became a North Carolina racing staple while hosting 93 NASCAR Cup Series races. The inaugural race, the 1949 Wilkes 200 on October 16, was won by Bob Flock. The track was known for being one of the fastest short-tracks in racing and in the 1950’s speeds reached up to 73 mph.
The track’s unique layout featured an uphill backstretch and downhill frontstretch with 14 degrees of banking in the turns and three degrees of banking on the straightaways.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty led the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 15 victories. NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip led the series in poles at North Wilkesboro Speedway with nine.
Last December, Dale Earnhardt Jr. led a group of drivers and NASCAR broadcasters in an effort to clean the track surface at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The cleaning allowed iRacing to scan and map the historic venue.
Among those that helped Earnhardt clean the speedway were Speedway Motorsports Inc. president Marcus Smith, iRacing executive vice president and executive producer Steve Myers, NASCAR Cup Series driver Chris Buescher, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Myatt Snider, NBC Sports’ Rick Allen and Marty Snider, William Byron’s spotter Tab Boyd, and Austin Dillon’s spotter Andy Houston.
This weekend will mark the debut of North Wilkesboro Speedway virtually and will feature 28 drivers, including Earnhardt.
Aric Almirola’s Mother’s Day iRacing paint scheme
In honor of Mother’s Day weekend, Aric Almirola will run a paint scheme that his wife Janice colored using the Stewart-Haas Racing coloring sheets. Janice was coloring with their children a few weeks ago when she told Aric that her coloring page would be a cool paint scheme. So as a surprise, Aric requested that Smithfield and his team run her paint scheme on Mother’s Day weekend. When the No. 10 Ford hits the track on Saturday for the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series North Wilkesboro 160 at virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway (3 p.m. ET on FOX, FS1, FOX Sports App), Janice’s blue and pink paint scheme with “Happy Mother’s Day” on the front will be seen by everyone watching. You can check out Aric’s video here.
Saturday’s run of show and race format
Saturday’s North Wilkesboro 160 will wrap up the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series as NASCAR is set to resume racing next weekend at Darlington Raceway. This weekend’s iRacing event will feature a two-lap, single-car qualifying session with the top 10 inverted to set the grid for the main feature event.
The main race will be a total of 160 laps with double-file restarts and lapped cars will go to the rear. There will be three attempts at a green-white-checkered finish, if necessary. The field will consist of a 28-driver entry list. The top-three finishers from Dover (William Byron, Christopher Bell and Timmy Hill) will be relegated to the back of the starting lineup and will not make a qualifying attempt.
Drivers will be allowed one reset this week at virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway with manual cautions. If a car is damaged, drivers must drive back to their pit stall and come to a complete stop. This will automatically apply the fast repair and give the driver a new car.
The below times are approximate and subject to change:
2 p.m. – Practice session goes live
2:50 p.m. – Qualifying (Two laps, single-car with top 10 inverted)
3:00 p.m. – FOX, FS1, FOX Sports App broadcast begins
3:13 p.m. – Green flag (160 laps)
Statistical Notes
A wide range of drivers with various experience at North Wilkesboro Speedway and in iRacing will be contending in this Saturday’s North Wilkesboro 160 in the seventh race of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series (3 p.m. ET on FOX – where available and subject to change, FS1 and the FOX Sports app).
Below is a list of anticipated participants (listed numerically), their statistics, and career highlights. Please note, the participant list is subject to change.
Note on iRacing stats below:
The stats are cumulative lifetime stats for each driver in public oval events in stock car disciplines (ranging from top-level Cup cars to Legends) on iRacing. It doesn’t include stats from private leagues. Statistics for drivers who have starts in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series include those races run.
Entered Drivers (Listed in numerical order):
Austin Dillon – iRacing #3
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Won the 2018 Daytona 500
- 2013 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion
- 2012 NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year
- 2011 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series champion
- 2010 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year
Overall iRacing Stats
- 6 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 27th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 29th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 15th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 28th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 24th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 23rd at virtual Dover International Speedway
Kevin Harvick – iRacing #4
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and 2007 Daytona 500 winner
- Qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 five-times in the last six seasons.
- Has made 13 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff appearances, tied for second-most all-time
- 2001 and 2006 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion
- 2007, 2009 and 2011 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series champion owner with wife DeLana Harvick
- 2001 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year
- 1998 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion
Overall iRacing Stats
- 3 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 29th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 12th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 18th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Ross Chastain – iRacing #6
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Xfinity Series – No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- This year, he has filled in for Ryan Newman in the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series for three races
- In 2019, he completed 19 races in the Xfinity Series and posted a win at Daytona with Kaulig Racing
- In 2018, he made the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs and won his first career race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway; driving for Chip Ganassi Racing
- In 2011, he made his NASCAR national series debut in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series debut at Lucas Oil Raceway
Overall iRacing Stats
- 543 starts, 67 wins, 196 top fives and 64 poles
- Finished 14th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 22nd at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 16th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 13th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 29th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 17th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – iRacing #8
Current Series/Occupation: Retired NASCAR Cup Series driver, NBC Sports Analyst
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Made his debut as an NBC broadcaster in 2018
- Retired from full-time racing at the end of 2017
- Won the NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver Award for 15 straight years (2003-2017)
- Won the 1998 and 1999 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship
- 1999 NASCAR Xfinity Series Most Popular Driver of the Year
- Team owner of Xfinity Series team JR Motorsports, collecting 47 wins since 2005
Overall iRacing Stats
- 420 starts, 194 wins, 334 top fives, 188 poles
- Finished 2nd at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 6th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 22nd at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 8th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 30th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 26th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Aric Almirola – iRacing #10
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Had a career best fifth place finish in the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series championship
- In 2014, won first career NASCAR Cup Series race (Daytona-2) on the 30th anniversary weekend of team owner Richard Petty’s 200th career win.
- Made first career NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2014, ultimately finishing 16th in the standings.
- Has won at least one race in all three NASCAR national series.
Overall iRacing Stats
- 2 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 18th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 10th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Denny Hamlin – iRacing #11
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Won the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Three-time Daytona 500 champion (2016, 2019, 2020)
- 2006 NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year
- Has 38 NASCAR Cup Series career wins
- Finished runner-up in the 2010 NASCAR Cup Series championship standings
- Has 17 NASCAR Xfinity Series career wins
Overall iRacing Stats
- 169 starts, 31 wins, 76 top fives, 31 poles
- Won the race at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 24th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 4th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 6th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 39th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 6th at Dover International Speedway
Ty Dillon – iRacing #13
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 13 Germain Racing Chevrolet
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Has made 130 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series posting one top five and five top 10s
- Finished runner-up in 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship standings
- Won the 2013 Most Popular Driver Award for the Gander Trucks
- 2012 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year
Overall iRacing Stats
- 6 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 19th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 16th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 25th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 15th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 23rd at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 32nd at virtual Dover International Speedway
Clint Bowyer – iRacing #14
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- In 2019, he qualified for the Playoffs on points and finished ninth in the series standings
- Finished a career-best runner-up in the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series championship
- 2008 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion
- Multiple winner in all three NASCAR national series
Overall iRacing Stats
- 5 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 16th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 11th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 11th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 30th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 33rd at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Did not compete at virtual Dover International Speedway
Brennan Poole – iRacing #15
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 15 Premium Motorsports Chevrolet
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Made his Xfinity Series track debut in 2015 and finished 12th
- Best finish of fifth at the track in 2017 in the Xfinity Series
- 2020 marked his first full season in the Cup Series, making his debut at the Daytona 500
- He finished runner-up at Charlotte Motor Speedway last season in the Gander Trucks, a career-best finish
Overall iRacing Stats
- 2 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 poles
- Finished 7th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 11th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Chris Buescher – iRacing #17
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Buescher joined Roush-Fenway Racing for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season
- In 2016, he won first NASCAR Cup Series race (Pocono-2) in his rookie season; first driver since Joey Logano (2009) to accomplish the feat
- One of three drivers in NASCAR Cup Series history to make the Playoffs in their rookie season, joining Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin
- Won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 2015
- Was the 2012 ARCA Menards Series champion
Overall iRacing Stats
- 6 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 28th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 18th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 23rd at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 21st at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 27th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 25th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Kyle Busch – iRacing #18
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion also won championship in 2015. One of two (Jimmie Johnson) active drivers with multiple Cup championships
- Has made the Championship 4 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs the last five consecutive seasons
- Won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 2009
- In 2010, set all-time single-season record with 24 victories across NASCAR’s three national series
- Currently has most all-time NASCAR national series wins with 208 (56 Cup, 96 Xfinity, 57 Gander Trucks)
- Record seven-time NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series owner champion (2010, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17 and ‘19) and one driver championship (2015)
Overall iRacing Stats
- 6 starts, 0 wins, 1 top five and 0 poles
- Finished 29th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 17th at Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 18th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 5th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 8th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 15th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Bobby Labonte – iRacing #18
Current Series/Occupation: 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee
Highlights:
- Has eight starts at North Wilkesboro Speedway with a best finish of 10th in 1996
- Labonte was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020. He joins his brother, Terry, with the prestigious honor
- He won the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series championship
- Labonte has 21 NASCAR Cup Series wins, 10 Xfinity Series and one Gander Trucks win
- He is one of 27 drivers to have a win in all three of NASCAR’s national series
Overall iRacing Stats
- 81 starts, 7 wins, 31 top fives, 5 poles
- Finished 18th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 13th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 13th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 14th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 31st at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 13th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Martin Truex Jr. – iRacing #19
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion
- Won the Xfinity Series championship in 2004 and 2005
- Named Most Popular Driver in the Xfinity Series in 2004 and 2005
- Got his first Cup Series win at Dover International Speedway in 2007
Overall iRacing Stats
- 10 starts, 5 wins, 7 top fives, 5 poles
- Making eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series debut this weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway
Erik Jones – iRacing #20
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Won his first NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona in July of 2018
- 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year – becoming the first driver to earn the award in all three of NASCAR’s national series
- 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year
- 2015 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Champion and Sunoco Rookie of the Year – the youngest champion in series history
Overall iRacing Stats
- 6 starts, 0 wins, 1 top five, 0 poles
- Finished 10th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 21st at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 31st at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 7th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 37th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 4th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Jon Wood – iRacing #21
Current Series/Occupation: Senior Vice President, Co-Owner of Wood Brothers Racing
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Made four NASCAR Cup Series career starts in 2007 and 2008
- Has made 85 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts with a best finish of runner-up in 2005 at Talladega
- Has two Gander Trucks wins from 2003 at Kansas Speedway and Martinsville Speedway
Overall iRacing Stats
- 22 starts, 3 wins, 11 top fives, 5 poles
- Making eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series debut this weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway
Jeff Gordon – iRacing #24
Current Series/Occupation: 2019 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee; FOX Sports NASCAR analyst
Highlights:
- Has made eight NASCAR Cup Series starts at North Wilkesboro Speedway posting one win (1996), one pole (1995), four top fives and five top 10s
- Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (1995, 1997-1998, 2001)
- Three-time Daytona 500 winner (1997, ’99, 2005)
- Five-time Brickyard 400 winner (1994, ’98, 2001, ’04, ’14)
- Third on all-time NASCAR Cup Series win list with 92
Overall iRacing Stats
- 1 start, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 38th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
Tyler Reddick – iRacing #31
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Back-to-back NASCAR Xfinity Series champion (2018-2019), and first driver to do it with two different organizations (JR Motorsports 2018, Richard Childress Racing 2019).
- 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year; just third driver in series history to win the title in his rookie season joining Chase Elliott (2014) and William Byron (2017).
- In 2017, captured his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, at Kentucky, while running a partial schedule.
- In 2015, he competed full-time in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, winning his first race and finishing runner-up in the championship standings.
Overall iRacing Stats
- 5 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 poles
- Finished 28th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 8th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 12th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 22nd at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 25th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Corey LaJoie – iRacing #32
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 32 GoFas Racing Ford
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- In 2019, LaJoie posted career-bests in starting position (16th, Kansas), finishing position (sixth, Daytona) and final points position (29th in points).
- In 2014, he made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at New Hampshire Motorsports Speedway.
Overall iRacing Stats
- 1 start, 0 wins, 1 top five, 1 pole
- Started from the pole at virtual Talladega Superspeedway in his eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series debut and finished second
- Finished 20th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Michael McDowell – iRacing #34
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Xfinity Series debut was in 2009, finishing 11th for JTG Daugherty Racing
- McDowell is currently in his 13th season in the NASCAR Cup Series
- Finished a career-best 26th in the 2017 and 2018 NASCAR Cup Series standings
- Earned his lone NASCAR Xfinity Series win in 2016 at Road America
Overall iRacing Stats
- 105 starts, 25 wins, 46 top fives and 25 poles
- Finished 23rd at virtual Homestead Miami Speedway
- Finished 12th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 10th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 34th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 5th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Ryan Preece – iRacing #37
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 37 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Finished runner-up in 2019 Sunoco Rookie of the Year battle in the NASCAR Cup Series
- Won first career NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Iowa in 2017
- In 2013, he was the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, youngest champion in series history
Overall iRacing Stats
- 257 starts, 42 wins, 104 top fives and 15 poles
- Finished 33rd at virtual Homestead Miami Speedway
- Finished 2nd at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 6th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 19th at virtual Richmond Raceway and won the pole award
- Finished 3rd at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 29th at virtual Dover International Speedway
John Hunter Nemechek – iRacing #38
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- 2020 is Nemechek’s first fulltime season in the NASCAR Cup Series
- Earned his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win in 2018 at Kansas while driving for Chip Ganassi Racing
- Won his first NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in 2015, driving for NEMCO Motorsports
- Has tallied six career Gander Trucks wins
Overall iRacing Stats
- 294 starts, 29 wins, 98 top fives and 37 poles
- Finished 30th at virtual Homestead Miami Speedway
- Finished 8th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 2nd at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 16th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 25th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 27th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Cole Custer – iRacing #41
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Currently in his rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing
- In 2018, he made his NASCAR Cup Series debut for Rick Ware Racing. He made three starts for the team posting a best finish of 25th at Las Vegas
- Has made 104 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts posting nine career wins
- In 2014, he became the youngest driver in NASCAR national series history to win a race at the age of 16 years, seven months, 28 days (NGROTS, New Hampshire)
- In 2014, he became the youngest driver in NASCAR national series history to win a pole at the age of 16 years, four months, 22 days (NGROTS, Gateway)
Overall iRacing Stats
- 2 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 26th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 12th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Chad Finchum – iRacing #49
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Xfinity Series – No. 13 Motorsports Business Management Toyota
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- In 2019, competed in his second full season for MBM finishing the year a career-best 26th in the standings
Overall iRacing Stats
- 2 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles.
- Finished 21st at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 22nd at virtual Dover International Speedway
Garrett Smithley – iRacing #51
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 51 Petty Ware Racing Chevrolet
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Finished a career-best 18th in the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series standings
- Has a NASCAR national series career-best finish of fifth at Daytona in the NASCAR Xfinity Series
Overall iRacing Stats
- 1,231 starts, 146 wins, 538 top fives and 131 poles
- Finished 5th at virtual Homestead Miami Speedway
- Finished 3rd at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 9th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 16th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 4th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 9th at virtual Dover International Speedway
JJ Yeley – iRacing #52
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 52 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Yeley has competed for various teams throughout the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series
- 2003 United States Auto Club (USAC) Triple Crown (Silver Crown, sprint, midget) champion
- Won 2001 USAC sprint car championship, 2002 USAC Silver Crown championship
- In 1995 became youngest driver to win Sprint Car Racing Association (SCRA) feature
Overall iRacing Stats
- 2 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 15th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 19th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Joey Gase – iRacing #53
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 53 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Chicagoland Speedway in 2014 for GO FAS Racing
- Has over 200 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series
Overall iRacing Stats
- 2 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives and 0 poles
- Finished 20th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 24th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Timmy Hill – iRacing #66
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 66 Motorsports Business Management Toyota
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Won the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished third in the 2020 Xfinity Series season-opener at Daytona, his career-best NASCAR national series finish
- Owner of Hill Motorsports, fielding the No. 56 Chevrolet in the Gander Trucks
Overall iRacing Stats
- 1,681 starts, 674 wins, 1,208 top fives, 456 poles
- Finished 3rd at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Won the race at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 3rd at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 2nd at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 11th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 3rd at virtual Dover International Speedway
Parker Kligerman – iRacing #77
Current Series/Occupation: NBC Sports TV Analyst and part-time NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series driver
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Has made 28 NASCAR Cup Series starts since 2012
- Finished a career-best ninth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship standings in 2013
- Finished a career-best fifth in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series championship points in 2012
Overall iRacing Stats
- 420 starts, 57 wins, 190 top fives and 11 poles
- Finished 13th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 12th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 7th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 3rd at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 16th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 34th at virtual Dover International Speedway
Landon Cassill – iRacing #89
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Xfinity Series – No. 89 Shepherd Racing Chevrolet
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- In 2014, he scored a NASCAR Cup Series career-best fourth-place finish at Talladega
- In 2010, he made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Michigan
- In 2008, he won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year award
Overall iRacing Stats
- 48 starts, 4 wins, 28 top fives and 2 poles
- Finished 12th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 4th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 20th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 4th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 5th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 21st at virtual Dover International Speedway
Christopher Bell – iRacing #95
Current Series/Occupation: NASCAR Cup Series – No. 96 Leavine Family Racing Toyota
Highlights:
- Has never competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Has posted a total of 16 NASCAR Xfinity Series wins
- Set the rookie single season Xfinity Series wins record with seven victories in 2018
- 2017 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series champion
- Has a total of seven career Gander Truck wins
Overall iRacing Stats
- 1,032 starts, 237 wins, 557 top fives and 132 poles
- Finished 27th at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Finished 34th at virtual Texas Motor Speedway
- Finished 12th at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
- Finished 24th at virtual Richmond Raceway
- Finished 13th at virtual Talladega Superspeedway
- Finished 2nd at virtual Dover International Speedway
Friday Night Thunder TONIGHT From Virtual Martinsville Speedway
Friday Night Thunder
The Place: Virtual Martinsville Speedway
The Date: Friday, May 8
The Time: 8 p.m. ET
Online: enascar.com/live, NASCAR’s YouTube Channel
Distance: Four heat races – 10 laps each; one LCQ – 15 laps; Main Event – 125 laps
Friday Night Thunder at virtual Martinsville Speedway
With such a big response from competitors to join the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, NASCAR and iRacing introduced Saturday Night Thunder in the beginning of April to allow drivers from all series to compete on the platform during the real-time racing postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This weekend the event returns, but this time the action will take place on Friday night, at virtual Martinsville Speedway.
The Friday Night Thunder entry list includes drivers from the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
There will be single-car qualifying to set the heat race grids. From there, the format will feature four 10-lap heat races to set the first 24 spots for the main feature.
Then, there will be one 15-lap last chance qualifier to fill out the six remaining spots in the 30-car field.
The event will be live streamed at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, May 8, on enascar.com/live, and on NASCAR’s YouTube channel.
The main event will be a 125-lap feature that will allow for one reset, with manual cautions and three attempts at a green-white-checkered finish.
The format will be as follows (all times ET):
7 p.m.: One-hour practice session
8 p.m.: Stream starts on eNASCAR.com/NASCAR YouTube Channel
8:05 p.m.: Three-minute, two-lap single-car qualifying session. Sets the starting grid for the heats.
8:08 p.m.:
- Heat 1 starts. All heats will be 10 laps with no cautions and one reset. There will be four heats and 26 cars will advance.
- Heats will set the starting grid for main race with a field of 26 cars.
- Heats will be followed by a 15-lap last chance qualifier with six drivers advancing to the main event (30-car field).
- Main event will be 125 laps with manual cautions and one reset. There will also be three attempts at a green-white-checkered finish.
eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational at Talladega | NASCAR ON FOX HIGHLIGHTS
Full highlight’s from Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational at Talladega SuperSpeedway #NASCARonFOX #NASCAR #iRacingSeries #TalladegaSuperspeedway #eNASCAR (more…)
RCR Event Preview – Virtual Talladega Superspeedway
Richard Childress Racing at Talladega Superspeedway … Richard Childress began his driving career at Talladega Superspeedway in 1969 and is in a tie for the most all-time car owner victories at the storied Alabama-based race track with 12 NASCAR Cup Series wins. He also owns two additional wins at the track as a car owner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the ARCA Racing Series. This weekend marks a new chapter for RCR at Talladega Superspeedway with the organization’s first attempt at the track in a virtual race. The Format … NASCAR, iRacing and FOX Sports are teaming up to deliver the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, a selection of simulation-style esports races that include NASCAR Cup Series drivers Austin Dillon (No. 3 Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Chevrolet) and Tyler Reddick (No. 31 Cat Realtree Chevrolet). The series heads to the virtual Talladega Superspeedway for a fixed set-up race this Sunday, April 26. Drivers will compete in a qualifying session to set the starting field for the 70-lap race. But Wait, There’s More … In addition to Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race, RCR will compete in a special Saturday night race at virtual Talladega Superspeedway with our roster of NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers, including Anthony Alfredo (No. 33 DUDE Wipes Chevrolet), Myatt Snider (No. 93 TaxSlayer Chevrolet) and Kaz Grala (No. 29 HotScream Chevrolet). The race features NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series drivers competing within the iRacing platform, complete with qualifying times to set heat races and a last chance qualifier race to round out starting lineup. Fans can watch all the action at eNASCAR.com. The Car Designs … Each RCR driver’s paint scheme was designed in-house by the RCR Graphics Center Powered by Roland, an in-house full-service design and production facility located on the Richard Childress Racing campus in Welcome, North Carolina. Local graphic artist John Dragonetti then rendered these designs for the iRacing platform. Learn more about Dragonetti’s designs at twitter.com/JohnRDragonetti. COVID-19 Relief … Own a piece of history by participating in a recently launched auction and sale of Richard Childress’ personal collection of memorabilia. All proceeds will assist COVID-19 relief efforts. Thousands of rare, hard-to-find and exclusive items from Richard Childress’ 50+ years in NASCAR are up for bid or sale, including an original No. 3 Chevrolet once raced by Dale Earnhardt, complete with engine. To bid or purchase items from Childress’ personal collection, visit https://www.ebay.com/str/ Did You Know … Talladega Superspeedway is the track where Richard Childress Racing claimed its 100th NASCAR Cup Series win when Clint Bowyer visited victory lane for the storied organization in October 2011. Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s corporate Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR eSports Twitter page – @RCR_eSports, the RCR NASCAR Cup Series team Twitter page – @RCRCup and the RCR NASCAR Xfinity Series team Twitter page – @RCRNXS. Information about the 16-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ Catch the Action … The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series at the virtual Talladega Superspeedway will be televised live Sunday, April 26 beginning at 1 p.m. ET on the FOX broadcast network (where available), FS1 and the FOX Sports app. Races will be available in Canada through FOX Sports Racing. Catch our Xfinity Series drivers Saturday night by visiting eNASCAR.com. |
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This Week’s Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at the virtual Talladega Superspeedway … In 13 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway, Dillon’s best finish at the track is third (April 2016). He is also a former pole winner at the track (April 2019). This weekend marks the Welcome, North Carolina driver’s first virtual start at Talladega Superspeedway. Welcome, Coca-Cola … The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Costa coffee, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. A Commitment to eSports … Dillon is a long-time iRacing team owner. For the past two years, he has fielded two cars in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, which is a $300,000 eSport World Championship series officially sanctioned by NASCAR featuring the world’s most elite oval simracers. Dillon’s two drivers, Blake Reynolds (No. 30) and Michael Guest (No. 33) compete on simulated versions of the actual real-world NASCAR tracks and Gen6 cars available on iRacing. The rounds run every other Tuesday night and is broadcast live on Twitch, Facebook and YouTube. The Crew … Dillon will be competing in a rig provided by Sim Seats and will have a talented support system on Sunday, including his eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series driver, Blake Reynolds (@breynolds_66). Reynolds was a Champ 4 contender in 2019. AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE: Do you look forward to superspeedway races like Talladega Superspeedway? “Yeah, I really enjoy superspeedway races like Talladega. I feel like as a whole at Richard Childress Racing, we’ve been really close to winning. It’s a very cool track so it will be interesting to experience it virtually. The key is going to be avoiding the melee. I’m looking forward to representing Coca-Cola Zero Sugar on the virtual track.” |
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This Week’s Realtree Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at the virtual Talladega Superspeedway … Tyler Reddick is a former race winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega Superspeedway. The two-time Xfinity Series champion will make his first virtual start at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series on Sunday. Realtree … Realtree is the world’s leading camouflage designer, marketer, and licensor with over 2,000 licensees utilizing the Realtree camouflage brand. Thousands of outdoor and lifestyle products are available in Realtree camouflage patterns. In addition, Realtree is committed to supporting individuals and groups that work to ensure our outdoor heritage, the conservation of natural places, and the wildlife that resides there. Realtree promotes its products and relationships widely on television, as well as through Realtree.com and many other outlets. The Crew … From his home in North Carolina, Reddick will be competing in Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro invitational Series race in a rig provided by Sim Seats. His spotter, Derek Kneeland, will be assisting Reddick during the race. Joey Stone, who competes under the RCR eSports banner in the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, will also be assisting Reddick during the race. TYLER REDDICK QUOTE: What are your thoughts on virtual racing at Talladega Superspeedway? “Talladega Superspeedway is wild, both in real life and virtually. It’s a big, wide track that lends itself to being a little bit more aggressive than you can be at Daytona International Speedway. I’m excited to race there for Realtree.” |
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This Week’s DUDE Wipes Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at the virtual Talladega Superspeedway … Anthony Alfredo has one real-world start at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Truck Series and is an experienced competitor at the track competing in virtual conditions. Welcome, DUDE Wipes …The DUDE Wipes revolution was born one fateful day in our Chicago apartment, when we switched from toilet paper to baby wipes and were forever changed. Today we make self-care products for DUDES that get the job done and leave you feeling refreshed, from our original flushable DUDE Wipes to face & shower wipes, and deodorant body powders & body sprays to DUDE performance underwear. The Crew … From his home in North Carolina, Alfredo will be competing in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series Saturday Night Thunder race in a rig provided by Sim Seats. Alfredo has a talented support system on Sunday, including Zack Novak and his teammate Jimmy Mullis, who will serve as crew chief and spotter, respectively. The duo race for Richmond Raceway eSports in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series and won the championship last year. Alfredo’s spotter, Derek Kneeland, will also be assisting this weekend. ANTHONY ALFREDO QUOTE: What are your thoughts on virtual racing at Talladega Superspeedway? “I love superspeedway racing on iRacing so I am very excited for this weekend. That being said, it should be interesting since there are a lot of drivers still new to iRacing, which could make it eventful since it is some of the most difficult type of racing on the sim, much like it is in real life. I will have Zack Novak and Jimmy Mullis helping me on the pit box again, but this time I will have my real life spotter, Derek Kneeland, on the spotter stand. That will definitely give me some extra confidence! I have been practicing in online races this week and am looking forward to focusing on parking my No. 33 DUDE Wipes Camaro in Victory Lane!” |
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This Week’s TaxSlayer Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at the virtual Talladega Superspeedway … Snider has never finished worse than third in two career starts at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Truck Series. This weekend marks his first attempt at the virtual version of the track. About TaxSlayer … TaxSlayer makes online tax filing accessible for millions of Americans, with an easy-to-use platform and unlimited support at a fraction of the cost of the competition. Trusted for over 50 years, the Augusta-based tech company successfully completed more than 10 million state and federal e-filed tax returns in 2019 and processed $12 billion in refunds. TaxSlayer achieved a 4.6/5 TrustScore on consumer review site Trustpilot, with 85% of its customers rating the tax filing platform Great or Excellent. For more information, visit www.TaxSlayer.com. Tax Day … The IRS has extended the federal tax filing deadline for 2020. Tax Day is now July 15, 2020. This extension is automatic and applies to all taxpayers. For up-to-date information and advice, check out TaxSlayer.com/blog. Save Now … When you file with TaxSlayer, the savings are around every turn. All the deductions, all the credits, and all the money you deserve comes back to you in your refund. Plus, when you enter promo code MYATT21 at checkout, you’ll save 21% off the cost of your federal return. Start for free at TaxSlayer.com MYATT SNIDER QUOTE: You’ve been very successful at Talladega Superspeedway in the past. How do you feel about transferring that success to the virtual version of the track? “Talladega Superspeedway is so much of a wildcard. You never truly know what’s going to happen one minute to the next. But that chaos is what makes it so much fun. I’ve always enjoyed Talladega and have run really well there so I’m hoping to continue that streak of slaying it in my TaxSlayer Chevy Camaro this weekend.” |
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This Week’s HotScream Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at the virtual Richmond Raceway … Grala has two starts at Talladega Superspeedway spread out among the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series. He will add the virtual version of the track to his resume this Saturday. HotScream … HotScream takes two concepts, dessert and spicy food, and combines them to form a product that can only be described as ‘HotScream The Spicy Ice Cream’. By taking ice cream with its cool creaminess and incorporating a spicy swirl, HotScream has created a new taste sensation, one that almost defies one’s own senses. At first, you taste the pureness of the vanilla, followed quickly by the sweetness of one of seven flavor swirls. As you continue to enjoy HotScream, things change: You feel a warming sensation that starts in the back of your mouth, creating a rush that only can come from spicy foods. The warming continues to linger but doesn’t engulf your mouth with fire. Taking another bite, you again taste the cool, creamy vanilla and the respective flavor profile while the heat dissipates, only to come back time and time again. HotScream is currently available at ACME Markets, Big Y, select ShopRites, Stop & Shop and 400 Walmart locations from Maine to Texas. For more information, visit HotScream.com. KAZ GRALA QUOTE: What are your thoughts on virtual racing at Talladega Superspeedway this Saturday? “Virtual Talladega this weekend should be a lot of fun. I have absolutely no idea what a plate race will be like on iRacing. I’ve never done one! But I know I love real plate races so I’m ready for it and looking forward to the opportunity. Some of my career highlights have come on superspeedway in the past, and I’m hoping some of my luck and experience will carry over into the virtual world. Let’s park the No. 29 HotScream Camaro ZL1 in Victory Lane on Saturday!” |
Talladega Invitational Advance – Daniel Suárez Taking CommScope Toyota to ‘Dega
| Details: |
| • Race: GEICO 70 (Round 5) • Series: eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series • Time/Date: 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 26 • Location: Virtual Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-mile oval) • Distance: 70 laps (186.2 miles)
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| Where to Watch: |
| • FOX network • Announcers: Jeff Gordon, Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds, with in-race commentary from Clint Bowyer. • FS1 (DIRECTV Channel 219 and Dish Channel 150) • FOX Sports Racing for fans in Canada
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| DYK?: |
| • We Need a Bigger Podium: Last Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race from virtual Richmond Raceway had 971,000 viewers tune in to the simulcast on FOX and FS1, making it the third-most watched esports event in U.S. television history. The March 29 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race from virtual Texas Motor Speedway remains on the podium’s top step with 1.34 million viewers. The April 5 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race from virtual Bristol Motor Speedway takes the second step with 1.179 million viewers. The first eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race March 22 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway earned 903,000 viewers on FS1 alone. And while the Texas race dwarfed that number by 47 percent, the Homestead race was, for at least one week, the most watched esports event in U.S. television history, having bested the previous record of 770,000 viewers when Mortal Kombat aired on The CW in 2016.
• iRacing’s Real-World Context: Last Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race from Richmond was the second-most watched sports event of the weekend. The most-watched sports event? Michael Jordan ‘The Last Dance’ documentary on ESPN.
• New Viewers Assimilate to Sim Racing: According to Nielsen, one million unique viewers who did not watch any of the four real-life NASCAR Cup Series races prior to the sports industry’s necessary hiatus to combat the spread of the coronavirus did tune in to one of the four eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series races held thus far.
• Kind of a Big Deal: A total of 5.4 million unique viewers have watched at least one eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race via FOX, FS1 and the FOX Sports app.
• Bet On It: The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series has been cleared and approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board for wagering. Two types of bets are allowed for the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series: winner of the race and head-to-head winner between drivers. Provisions for licensing the event includes a posting of the official rules for the tournament organizer and that all bets must cease once a race has started. Additionally, each bookmaker is allowed to create its own odds.
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| Daniel Suárez, Driver of the No. 96 CommScope Toyota Camry: |
| “It’s our first race on a superspeedway after racing on the short tracks the last two weeks. I have no idea what to expect, to be honest. I don’t know if there’s anything different we can do to prepare for this one. The real races on the superspeedways are already unpredictable. I think you can say, for sure, that this one will be even more unpredictable after some of the crazy things we have seen happen on the short tracks the last few weeks. The key to winning on the superspeedway is always about being smart and patient, so that will need to happen this week, for sure. It would be great to have a really good finish with our CommScope Toyota.”
• This is Suárez’s fourth eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race.
• Suárez started sixth and finished 18th in the previous eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race – the Toyota Owners 150 at Richmond.
• In actual NASCAR Cup Series racing at Talladega, Suárez has six career starts with a best finish of 10th (April 2018).
• Outside of the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Suárez has three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts (best finish is seventh in April 2016) and one NASCAR Gander Outdoors & RV Truck Series start (finished 15th in October 2014).
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| Background: |
| • The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series is an exhibition esports series featuring a collection of past and present racecar drivers from the NASCAR Cup Series.
• The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series is a multi-week series emulating the original 2020 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
• With the sports world on hiatus due to the coronavirus, the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series exists in place of actual NASCAR events.
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| About Gaunt Brothers Racing: |
| Gaunt Brothers Racing (GBR) fields the No. 96 Toyota Camry for driver Daniel Suárez in the NASCAR Cup Series. The Mooresville, North Carolina-based team is owned by Marty Gaunt, the CEO of Triad Racing Technologies. Gaunt founded GBR in 2010, with his eponymous team starting out in the Canada-based NASCAR Pinty’s Series and the U.S.-based NASCAR K&N Pro Series. Its first driver, Jason Bowles, scored GBR’s maiden victory in the 2011 Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway in California, with the precursor to that win being the pole position in track-record time at the 2011 Streets of Toronto 100. After seven years competing in NASCAR’s development divisions, Gaunt stepped up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2017, entering the Daytona 500 with driver D.J. Kennington. After running a part-time NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2018 and 2019 where GBR made a total of 37 starts with a handful of drivers, GBR committed to a full schedule in 2020. For more information, please visit us online at www.GauntBrothersRacing.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ |
KYLE BUSCH eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Talladega Advance
| Details: |
| • Event: GEICO 70 (Round 5) • Series: eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series
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| Where to Watch: |
| • FOX network • Announcers: Jeff Gordon, Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds, with in-race commentary from Clint Bowyer. • FS1 (DIRECTV Channel 219 and Dish Channel 150) • FOX Sports Racing for fans in Canada
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| DYK?: |
| • We Need a Bigger Podium: Last Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race from virtual Richmond Raceway had 971,000 viewers tune in to the simulcast on FOX and FS1, making it the third-most watched esports event in U.S. television history. The March 29 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race from virtual Texas Motor Speedway remains on the podium’s top step with 1.34 million viewers. The April 5 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race from virtual Bristol Motor Speedway takes the second step with 1.179 million viewers. The first eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race March 22 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway earned 903,000 viewers on FS1 alone. And while the Texas race dwarfed that number by 47 percent, the Homestead race was, for at least one week, the most watched esports event in U.S. television history, having bested the previous record of 770,000 viewers when Mortal Kombat aired on The CW in 2016.
• iRacing’s Real-World Context: Last Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race from Richmond was the second-most watched sports event of the weekend. The most-watched sports event? Michael Jordan ‘The Last Dance’ documentary on ESPN.
• New Viewers Assimilate to Sim Racing: According to Nielsen, one million unique viewers who did not watch any of the four real-life NASCAR Cup Series races prior to the sports industry’s necessary hiatus to combat the spread of the coronavirus did tune in to one of the four eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series races held thus far.
• Kind of a Big Deal: A total of 5.4 million unique viewers have watched at least one eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race via FOX, FS1 and the FOX Sports app.
• Bet On It: The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series has been cleared and approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board for wagering. Two types of bets are allowed for the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series: winner of the race and head-to-head winner between drivers. Provisions for licensing the event includes a posting of the official rules for the tournament organizer and that all bets must cease once a race has started. Additionally, each bookmaker is allowed to create its own odds.
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| KYLE BUSCH, Driver of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry: |
| What are you expecting at virtual Talladega this weekend?
“I got a chance to run in the Replacements race on Tuesday night, so that was my first taste of Talladega in iRacing. It had a lot of the same factors that you deal with running the real thing. You just have to try and stay out of trouble and put yourself in a position to have a shot toward the end of the race. The biggest difference is, obviously, there’s a lot less consequences and no torn-up equipment like the real thing. Looking forward to running our green Lightning Interstate Batteries scheme this weekend. Also want to give a shout out to everyone in the Interstate Batteries family who are keeping vehicles moving with everything going on right now in the world.”
Is there anything you’ve picked up on that may help you when you get back to the track for the regular races?
“Anything is a tool. You can use a tool any way you want. It’s no different than running in the sim rig that Toyota and TRD and the other manufacturers have to simulate the real thing. This can be used in the same respect. You just have to know how to use it and how that tool can work for you. Trying to figure out and remember what I am used to doing on the real racetrack and then coming to the iRacing sim and vice versa. It’s all about reps and doing something repetitive to get better. Someone told me recently that one of the racers for the Pro League for NASCAR spent 2,000 laps of practice at a particular track and getting better lap by lap and figuring it out. That’s unheard of. Even when we go do a test in our real life racecar – let’s use Bristol as an example as a short track: I might have run 300 to 350 laps – that’s all you do in real life. So when you hear someone talk about 2,000, that’s just an astronomical number in real life.”
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| Busch Talladega Notes: |
| • This will be Busch’s fifth-ever iRacing start in a virtual NASCAR Cup Series race.
• This is not Interstate Batteries first foray into the world of eNASCAR, as the company was the founding partner of Gibbs Gaming, in addition to being a founding partner of Joe Gibbs Racing back in 1992. For 2020, Interstate Batteries is a weekly sponsor on the No. 18 Toyota driven by Graham Bolin in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series.
• In addition to Interstate’s extensive involvement in iRacing, Busch’s Rowdy Energy Drink is a sponsor on the No. 51 Toyota driven by Malik Ray in the weekly eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series for JGR.
• William Hartman, Busch’s engineer on his regular No. 18 Toyota Camry Cup Series car, has been serving as crew chief for Busch each week. In addition to Hartman, Busch’s real-life spotter, Tony Hirschman, is spotting from his from his home in Pennsylvania.
• In actual NASCAR Cup Series racing at Talladega, Busch has one win, six top-five and eight top-10 finishes in 29 career starts.
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| Pro Invitational Background |
| • The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series is an exhibition esports series featuring a collection of past and present racecar drivers from the NASCAR Cup Series.
• The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series is a multi-week series emulating the original 2020 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
• With the sports world on a necessary hiatus to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series exists in place of actual NASCAR events. |