Company: Ford Motor

No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang: Cole Custer Coca-Cola 600 Race Advance

by Mike
No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang: Cole Custer Coca-Cola 600 Race Advance
KANNAPOLIS, North Carolina (May 22, 2020) – This Sunday, Cole Custer and the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) makes the short trek to Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway for Sunday’s 61st running of the iconic Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series race. Custer’s Mustang will once again highlight SHR co-owner Gene Haas’ newest holding, HaasTooling.com. Haas Tooling was launched just weeks ago as a way for CNC machinists to purchase high quality cutting tools at great prices. Haas’ cutting tools will be sold exclusively online at HaasTooling.com and shipped directly to end users.

 

While racing has returned, SHR’s contribution to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped. The race shop is serving dual purposes – race team and medical device manufacturer. SHR has partnered with healthcare provider Novant Health to produce intensive care unit mobile webcam carts. The carts allow a medical professional to monitor a patient electronically, ultimately limiting the professional’s possible exposure to COVID-19. Additionally, SHR helped transport and deliver 2 million facemasks to replenish Novant’s supplies during the pandemic.
In the first two Cup Series events since the onset of the pandemic, both at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Custer finished 22nd last Sunday and 31st Wednesday night. Sunday’s race was his first in the Cup Series at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval.
Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 is NASCAR’s longest event of the season, requiring the drivers, crew members and cars to be in excellent shape to go the extra distance. Most NASCAR races are 400 or 500 miles. Even though the Coca-Cola 600 is a grueling race, Custer’s goal is a solid finish. “We need to build consistency in these races and work up from there,” he said. “We’re definitely making gains with this package. It’s just figuring out how to improve every race.”
The traditional Memorial Day weekend event is bringing some normalcy during the COVID-19 outbreak. NASCAR is a longtime supporter of the United States military, and this weekend will be no different. For the past several years during the spring holiday weekend, NASCAR has worked

with the families of fallen soldiers to be recognized on each Cup Series racecar. Custer’s No. 41 Mustang will carry the name of Dillon Baldridge, who was an Army sergeant based in Fort

Campbell, Kentucky, and was part of 1-187 Rakassans, 101st Airborne Division. The 22-year-old was killed in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, when an Afghan soldier opened fire in an apparent inside attack. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Baldridge, a native of Youngsville, North Carolina, died on June 10, 2017.
“It’s definitely really cool how we honor the fallen military members on our cars,” Custer said. “NASCAR has always done a really good job saluting the military and everything they’ve done for our country to keep us safe. We wouldn’t be here without the military. Especially during these times, you really appreciate the people who risk their lives for us. I think it’s really cool that we do this and hopefully we can give them a good run.”
While Sunday marks Custer’s first Cup Series start on Charlotte’s 1.5-mile oval, the Ford driver has a good track record there in the Xfinity Series. Even though he hasn’t visited victory lane there, he’s finished inside the top-10 in all seven starts, the only exception being in May 2019.
The California native has one Charlotte appearance in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck series, starting 16th and finishing 13th in 2016.
SHR has 62 Cup Series starts at Charlotte with one victory earned by No. 4 Ford driver Kevin Harvick in 2014. In total, the Kannapolis-based team has seven top-fives, 22 top-10s, and five pole awards there.
Haas Automation, founded in 1983 by Haas, is America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools. The company manufactures a complete line of vertical and horizontal machining centers, turning centers and rotary tables and indexers. All Haas products are constructed in the company’s 1.1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Oxnard, California, and distributed through a worldwide network of Haas Factory Outlets.
Even though Custer had a trio of starts in the Cup Series in 2018, 2020 officially marks his Rookie of the Year campaign in NASCAR’s top series. He’s competing for rookie honors with notables Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick. The three have battled against each other in the Xfinity Series and are making the full-time transition to the Cup Series together.

Cole Custer: Driver of the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:
One of the biggest differences from the Xfinity Series to the Cup Series is the length of the races. Sunday’s Coke 600 is the longest of the season, how are you physically and mentally preparing for the lengthy race?  
“The 600 is definitely a lot longer than what we’ve done in the Xfinity cars and it’s definitely the longest race I’ve ever run. I think the biggest thing is staying hydrated and making sure you’re loose before the race and not sore. Just try and relax, especially in the first part of the race. At halfway you just need to try and settle in and get some laps done. The thing about it is you can’t really relax too much because you have to fight for the stage points, and fight for track position as much as you can. You have to stay hydrated. I guess I’ll probably need a snack in there somewhere, too, but it’s definitely going to be the longest, most grueling race that I’ve run.”
You’ve had two races since we’ve been back, including a rain delay. Do you feel like you’re starting to get into some sort of routine – on and off the track with competition meetings, etc.?
“I feel like we are getting in more of a routine. It seems like we were all kind of new at the start and didn’t know what to expect. Then, as it’s all kind of come together, we’ve been able to calm down and get in a rhythm. Now, I think it’s just trying to perfect things and get in a better rhythm. We’re trying to figure out how we can excel at every single part of the weekend. We’re just going to keep working at it and get better every race.”
Your Xfinity Series track record at Charlotte is pretty strong – all top-10 finishes with the exception of your oval finish last year. Why do you think you’ve excelled on both courses at Charlotte?
“Charlotte has always been a good track for me. I’ve always run pretty good there. It’s definitely one of the most difficult mile-and-a-half tracks that we go to because it’s so edgy. It’s starting to get bumpy and you have to move around a little bit. It’s definitely a challenging mile-and-a-half to race on. It’s worked out for me and been good to me in the past. It’s just a matter of trying to figure out how you can work traffic in these cars and work your way to the front.”

 

 
No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Team Report
Race 7 of 36 – Coca-Cola 600 – Charlotte
 
Car No. 41: HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Team Report

At Track PR Contact: Lauren Emling with True Speed Communication (Lauren.Emling@TrueSpeedCommunication.com)

Primary Team:

 

Driver: Cole Custer

Hometown: Ladera Ranch, California

Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett

Hometown: Amherst, Ohio

Engine Specialist: Evan Cupples

Hometown: Hudson, Illinois

Car Chief: Tony Cardamone

Hometown: Bristol, Virginia

Engine Builder: Roush Yates Engines

Headquarters: Mooresville, North Carolina

Spotter: Andy Houston

Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Crew:

Fuelman: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas
Carrier: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Jackman: Brett Morrell

Hometown: Windham, Maine

 

Front Changer: Josh Leslie

Hometown: Mount Clemens, Michigan

Rear Changer: Coleman Dollarhide
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Charlotte Motor Speedway Notes of Interest:
  • Cole Custer will make his first Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway NASCAR Cup Series start Sunday, bringing his total career Cup Series starts to 10.
  • The California native finished 22nd and 31st at the Darlington (S.C.) Raceway events last Sunday and Wednesday night, respectively, while piloting the HaasTooling.com Mustang.
  • 2020 marks Custer’s first fulltime season in the Cup Series and he will contend for Rookie of the Year honors along with four other Cup Series competitors.
  • The 22-year-old rookie driver has seven NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte. He has finished in the top-10 six times, which includes one runner-up finish. He’s led a total of 59 laps at the 1.5-mile track. He’s also made one NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series start at Charlotte, which ended with a 13th-place finish.
Views: 109

DiBenedetto Finishes 9th at Darlington

by Mike
DiBenedetto Finishes 9th at Darlington

Despite struggling to find the speed he hoped to have at Darlington Raceway, Matt DiBenedetto came away from two races in four days with two solid finishes, including his second top-10 finish of the season, a ninth-place effort in Wednesday night’s 500-kilometer race at the Lady in Black.

DiBenedetto and his No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang fired off fast in Wednesday’s race, the start of which was delayed by rain throughout the day.

He started seventh after the qualifying order was set through an inversion of the finishing order of Sunday’s Darlington race in which he finished 14th.

He had driven up to fifth place, but made an early pit stop because he and the team were worried that there might be an issue with his car.

The decision to pit cost DiBenedetto and the team track position and caused them to use up one of the eight sets of tires each team was allotted for the race.

DiBenedetto restarted 27th and passed 15 cars in just 10 laps.

“It was fun to fly through the field like that,” he said. “I was surprised how many cars I could just fly by.”

But as the track took on more rubber, the results weren’t as good.

“We were a lot better on the green track,” he said. “When the track rubbered up, we just weren’t where we needed to be.”

Still he was able to finish 10th in the second 60-lap stage, earning one stage point.

As the laps wound down, DiBenedetto and his team, led by crew chief Greg Erwin and spotter Doug Campbell, used strategy to move into the top 10 when it counted.

Sensing rains would arrive before the race reached the advertised distance, the decision was made to leave DiBenedetto on the track when the caution flag flew with 32 laps remaining.

DiBenedetto moved up to second for the restart and was hanging on to ninth place when the race was called for rain 20 laps shy of the planned 228 laps.

“We gambled at the end and got lucky, but we’ll take it,” he said of his second top-10 finish of the season, the first a runner-up run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the second race of the season. “All of the tracks except for Darlington we have had really good speed, so I know we will take a little luck from this one and moving forward we should be fast at a lot of places and be better at Charlotte.”

DiBenedetto and the team remain in ninth place in the Cup standings heading into this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
###

About Motorcraft:

Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln Dealers, independent distributors and automotive parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.

About Omnicraft:

Omnicraft is part of the Ford lineup of parts brands: Ford Parts, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts. With over a century of parts heritage to build upon, Omnicraft provides excellent quality and fit and is a preferred choice of professional automotive technicians. To find out more about Omnicraft, visitwww.omnicraftautoparts.com or contact your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership.
About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center

Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine vehicle maintenance including tire repair and replacement with a Low Tire Price Guarantee and a full menu of automotive services including oil and filter, brakes, alignments, batteries, and shocks and struts on all vehicle makes and models. Service is performed by certified technicians at more than 1,000 locations worldwide while you wait, and no appointment is necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Wood Brothers Racing

Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Matt DiBenedetto in the famous No. 21 racer.

Views: 132

eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series Coverage Resources and News & Notes – Virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway

by Mike
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
Views: 115

William Byron goes back-to-back in eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series

by Mike
William Byron goes back-to-back in eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series

By Holly Cain
NASCAR Wire Service

William Byron became the first multi-time winner of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series – holding off Timmy Hill by a mere .256-seconds at the virtual Richmond Raceway Sunday afternoon. It was Byron’s second consecutive win in the series – answering a victory at iRacing’s virtual Bristol Motor Speedway two weeks ago just before the Easter off-week. (more…)

Views: 127

Richmond Preview: Harvick and Bowyer Similarly Locked In for Sunday’s Invitational

by Mike
Richmond Preview: Harvick and Bowyer Similarly Locked In for Sunday’s Invitational
Details:
 

• Race:  Toyota Owners 150 (Round 4)

• Series:  eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series

• Time/Date:  1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 19

• Location:  Virtual Richmond Raceway (.75-mile oval)

• Distance:  150 laps (112.5 miles)

 

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 app

• FOX Sports Racing for fans in Canada

• Twitch.tv/StewartHaaseSports

 

DYK?:
 

• Trivia Question: What are the three most-watched esports events on TV in United States history? Answer: The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series and the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series. The March 29 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at the virtual Texas Motor Speedway was the most-watched esports event on TV in United States history. Simulcast on FOX and FS1, 1.34 million viewers tuned in, breaking the previous record set by the first eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race March 22 at the virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway by 47 percent. That broadcast earned 903,000 viewers on FS1 alone, which bested the previous record of 770,000 viewers when Mortal Kombat aired on The CW in 2016.

 

• But Wait, There’s More!: The last eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race April 5 at the virtual Bristol Motor Speedway averaged 1.179 million viewers across FOX and FS1, making it the second most-watched sports telecast of the weekend and the No. 1 sport among adults age 18-49.

 

• 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.

 

Overview:
 

• 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.

 

• The iRacing undercard event the day prior to Sunday’s headlining eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race is the Saturday Night Thunder race where 43 drivers will compete in virtual NASCAR Xfinity Series cars. The Thunder event complements the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, and NASCAR Cup Series drivers not competing in Sunday’s race are eligible for this race. Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe will compete in Saturday Night Thunder.

 

• The livestream of Saturday Night Thunder begins at 8 p.m. EDT on eNASCAR.com/live. Single-car qualifying begins at 8:05 p.m., which sets the lineup for the four, 10-lap heat races, with each heat race including as many as 15 drivers. Six cars advance from each heat to the feature, with the final two spots in the 26-car field coming from the top-two finishers of a 15-lap consolation race, which takes place after the heat races and is comprised of drivers who have not yet qualified. The 125-lap feature race then follows.

 

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Busch Light Ford Mustang:          
 

“I’ve been trying to practice one hour a day. I’ve got Busch Light on my Ford Mustang and I’m going to have fun with it. I did win a street stock race this week (on iRacing)…after I wrecked in the first four. I won a Legends race by default because the whole field crashed. But those are really my only two iRacing wins. They’re not pretty. I did wreck the whole field in a Legends race the other day after starting on the front row on lap one. So, that was high entertainment. I figure the whole iRacing thing is really something that’s supposed to be fun for everybody, supposed to be filler for a gap in time during this crazy pandemic. The whole iRacing thing has introduced me to a whole new network of people and it’s opened my eyes to a whole new group of racers. It’s a different culture, but it’s still a racing culture.”

 

 

• This is Harvick’s first eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race.

 

• In actual NASCAR Cup Series racing at Richmond, Harvick has three wins, 15 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes in 38 career starts.

 

• Harvick’s three wins came in September 2006, September 2011 and April 2013.

 

Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 14 PEAK Coolant & Antifreeze Ford Mustang:
 

“iRacing is extremely realistic. You’re using the same mechanics, the same forces, and the same movements you use in real life to make your car go fast, and that includes your hand-eye coordination and your feet. You drive these things so much with the pedals, with the gas, the brake, the steering input. All of those inputs in your mind are the exact same thing we use to put our car to the front of the field on any given Sunday. That being said, the only sense that you don’ t have in a simulator is the feel from the seat of your pants. We kind of call it the ‘butt dyno’. You balance a racecar kind of like if you put a plate on the end of an ink pen. That’s how you balance a racecar. That thing wants to go on all four different axis’, whether it’s the right-front, left-front, right-rear, left-rear, you can feel all those things, and that’s how you balance a car is through the seat of your pants. In iRacing, you don’t have that. All you have is your visuals, so once you have the hang of that and your mind finally catches on, it’s kind of like riding a bike. It’s a struggle for a little while, but once you catch on to that and realize what’s going on with the movements of your car and the movements of the track and things like that – when to pick up the gas, your timing – once you get all that set, it’s exactly like what we do in real life with our PEAK Coolant & Antifreeze Ford Mustang.”

 

 

• Bowyer started 32nd and finished 11th in the previous eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race at Bristol.

 

• Bowyer considers himself a hobby iRacer. Sunday’s race at Richmond will be just his fourth official iRacing start in a virtual NASCAR Cup Series race.

 

• Bowyer’s eponymous iRacing team competes in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series with drivers Brandon Kettelle and Brian Schoenberg, and Bowyer’s dirt late model team has been sponsored by iRacing for several years.

 

• In actual NASCAR Cup Series racing at Richmond, Bowyer has two wins, five top-five and 16 top-10 finishes in 28 career starts.

 

• Bowyer’s two wins came in May 2008 and September 2012.

 

Cole Custer, driver of the No. 41 Haas Automation/Ford Project Apollo Ford Mustang:
 

“My goal is to just finish the race clean in my Haas Automation/Ford Project Apollo Ford Mustang. I haven’t done much iRacing before, so it’s definitely a little hard to get used to, but hopefully I can get some laps under my belt and get better as I go. I’ll look at the format and figure out what type of strategy I want, and see how I’m running and go from there. There’s going to be some learning because I’ve never done it. I’m definitely going to have someone around me helping through the race. It will be hard keeping track of everything because it is new to me and there’s a lot to handle. I’ve been talking with Chase Briscoe a little about it. He’s had iRacing for a little while now and is pretty good at it, so just getting a general idea of what to look for is important. I’ve also asked Justin Bolton, SHR’s iRacing driver, some questions. I’ve worked with him in the past because he was an engineer on my Xfinity team last year and he obviously knows a lot about it.”

 

 

• This is Custer’s first Saturday Night Thunder race.

 

• In actual racing, Custer has made a total of eight starts at Richmond – one in the NASCAR Cup Series and seven in the Xfinity Series.

 

• Custer is a winner at Richmond, as he earned an Xfinity Series victory at the track in April 2019.

 

• Custer also has the opportunity to race his way into Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race. After the Saturday Night Thunder event, Custer will compete in a 25-lap race at 10:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday. Should he finish first or second in that race, he will earn a starting spot in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race.

 

Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 98 HighPoint.com/Ford Performance Racing School Ford Mustang:  
 

“I’m ready to get back in my No. 98 HighPoint.com/Ford Performance Racing School Ford Mustang at Richmond. In the real world, Richmond is a track that I struggled at my first time there, but like anywhere else, I was able to improve with experience. The same things apply to sim racing. The more you do it, the more comfortable you get. Richmond is a tough track, so if you haven’t put in the time to test it out, it’s probably going to be a struggle. I enjoy short-track racing. It’s always exciting and I think we’ll see a lot of those same short-track racing characteristics in the iRacing event Saturday night. Hopefully, I’ll qualify well and have a good run in the heat race to lock into the main so we can put on a show.”

 

 

• This is Briscoe’s first Saturday Night Thunder race, but he is a regular iRacer, with most of his races coming in the Xfinity Series.

 

• In actual racing, Briscoe has never competed in the NASCAR Cup Series. He is currently in his second full season of Xfinity Series racing.

 

• Briscoe has three Xfinity Series starts at Richmond. He has two top-10s, with a best finish of fifth in September 2019.

 

About Stewart-Haas eSports:
 

NASCAR is the ultimate test of driver acumen and mechanical know-how, where teams scrutinize every detail in a never-ending quest for speed. Stewart-Haas Racing has thrived in this environment, winning races and championships to firmly establish its presence in NASCAR. Stewart-Haas eSports emulates these efforts in the virtual world, where sim technology provides a visceral experience that amplifies the grit and determination of NASCAR drivers in the real world. Stewart-Haas eSports is a natural extension of Stewart-Haas Racing, where competition and simulation are one. For more information, please visit us online at www.StewartHaasRacing.com/esports and follow on Twitter @SHR_eSports.

 

About Stewart-Haas Racing:
 

Stewart-Haas Racing is the title-winning NASCAR team co-owned by three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation – the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. The Kannapolis, North Carolina-based organization has won two NASCAR Cup Series titles, one NASCAR Xfinity Series championship and more than 70 NASCAR races, including such crown-jewel events as the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500. For more information, please visit us online at www.StewartHaasRacing.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/StewartHaasRacing, on Twitter @StewartHaasRcng and on Instagram @StewartHaasRacing.

Views: 102

Speedy Cash Joins John Hunter Nemechek for Pro Invitational Series Event at Virtual Richmond

by Mike
Speedy Cash Joins John Hunter Nemechek for Pro Invitational Series Event at Virtual Richmond
NEMECHEK ON VIRTUAL RICHMOND:
“I hope everyone is still staying safe. That’s always the most important thing. But, we can also have this distraction of the NASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series and it’s fun to be back this weekend. I came close at Bristol and the feeling is the same as it is in the real car- you want to win.
“We’re back this weekend with Speedy Cash, another great partner of FRM. It’s been fun to see the excitement our partners have when seeing their car in the iRacing platform and then see it on FOX. This is as realistic as we can make it without actually being at the track and in the car. It’s different, but it’s still exciting and I’m racing to win and represent all our partners.
“We are supporting the Ford Apollo project on the car this weekend, too. The Ford Motor Company has really taken a lead in making products for hospitals and those working on the front line of this pandemic. That’s been great to see. We’ll continue to keep doing what we need to do and until then, we’ll have some fun on iRacing.”
Views: 91

eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series – Roush Fenway Advance

by Mike
eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series – Roush Fenway Advance

eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series – Advance
Teams:                 No. 6 Oscar Mayer Ford Mustang & No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang

Drivers:                Ross Chastain (No. 6) & Chris Buescher (No. 17)

Twitter:                @RoushFenway, @Roush6Team, @17RoushTeam

Hashtag:              #ProInvitationalSeries


eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series – Sunday, March 22 at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1, FOX Sports App

                                                                                                                                                                 

ADVANCE NOTES

Event Details

  • Titled FOX NASCAR iRACING, the 90-minute, simulation style eSports program includes a cross-section of competitors from the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series and a group of NASCAR dignitaries.
  • FS1 and the FOX Sports App will carry all of Sunday’s action from the virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway.
  • Ross Chastain will run Sunday’s race from his iRacing rig at his home, while Chris Buescher will use a customized rig from Roush Fenway’s campus in Concord, NC.

Buescher at Homestead-Miami Speedway

  • Buescher has six career NASCAR starts at Homestead-Miami, including four in the Cup Series. His best finish came in the season finale last year, where he drove the No. 37 machine to a 16th-place finish.
  • In two Xfinity races at the 1.5-mile track, Buescher earned finishes of fifth (2014) and 11th (2015) in the No. 60 for Jack Roush.

Chastain at Homestead-Miami Speedway

  • Chastain enters Sunday’s action with 13 career NASCAR starts on the 1.5-mile Homestead pavement, including two in the Cup Series.
  • In Xfinity Series action, the Melon Man has a best finish of 14th, which came back in 2014 in the No. 10 car.
  • Chastain’s best career result at Homestead came in the Truck Series just last season, where he drove the No. 45 entry to a fourth-place run, just missing the series championship.

On the eCar
Keeping true to their on-track Roush Fenway Racing schemes, both Buescher and Chastain will run their respective partner colors in Sunday’s iRacing event at Homestead. Buescher will carry longtime No. 17 team partner Fastenal aboard his Ford Mustang, while Chastain will run the bright orange and yellow Oscar Mayer scheme.

NASCAR/iRacing History
NASCAR and iRacing have an unprecedented history in the esports space, currently in the 11th season of the longest-running officially sanctioned esports racing series, the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series. It features 40 of the best sim racers in the world competing for more than $300,000, one of the richest payouts in esports racing competition.

Roush Fenway’s 2020 lineup includes Nathan Lyon, driver of the No. 6 and a native of St. Louis Missouri, and Kollin Keister, driver of the No. 17, who hails from Frostburg, Maryland.

Roush Fenway Gaming Familiar with Homestead
Virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway is the site of Roush Fenway Gaming’s 2019 Coca-Cola iRacing Series Championship, where Zack Novak drove the No. 6 Ford to the series title and claimed the $40,000 top prize.

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