News

Wide World of Esports: The replacements, the next generation of Allgaiers, and everybody’s iRacing

March 20, 2020

Williams holds off Byron in the Replacements 100

NASCAR spotters Kevin Hamlin and TJ Majors assembled a just-for-fun iRacing race Sunday featuring dozens of drivers, spotters and team members, appropriately billed the Replacements 100.

Ryan Blaney’s spotter Josh Williams absolutely dominated the race, which brought thousands of new eyes onto sim racing — and gave us quite a fun afternoon.

The only real challenger to Williams was polesitter William Byron, who knows a thing or two about iRacing — so much so that our pal @nascarcasm offered up a bounty to anyone who could beat Byron.

And, as ‘Casm always does, he followed through.

eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series announced

So, this is a big deal — especially if you enjoyed Sunday’s Replacements 100.

NASCAR stars from the Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Gander Trucks will compete in a simulation-style showcase in the newly-announced eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, kicking off this Sunday. Ben Kennedy dropped the news Tuesday before the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series event at Homestead.

The inaugural race will air this Sunday at 1:30 pm ET on FS1 – and get this, Jeff Gordon, Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds will be on the call.

Developing the next generation of Allgaiers

Justin Allgaier’s training them young. Ashley Allgaier shared a video of their daughter Harper getting her bearings on Dad’s iRacing sim. How long until she’s got a rookie license of her own?

Kligerman on NASCAR on NBC podcast

Burton-Kligerman Esports co-owner Parker Kligerman joined Nate Ryan of NASCAR on NBC to talk team ownership, sponsorship, and the continued growth of esports.

Hailie Deegan, future iRacer?

We’re monitoring this situation as it unfolds.

Everybody’s on iRacing

If you’ve hopped on iRacing this week, there’s a good chance you’ve run into a NASCAR driver. Hey, they’ve gotta scratch the racing itch somehow!

Dale Jr.: sim racing pioneer

@nascarman_rr shared an interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr. talking sim racing with Mike Wallace — way back in 2004, in the glory days of NASCAR Racing 2003 season. (We remember!)

Ty Majeski’s better than you with worse equipment

Every once in a while, Ty Majeski — NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series driver and one of the best iRacing drivers ever — posts a photo of his iRacing setup, reminding us all he’s kicking our butts with a laptop, an ordinary years-old Logitech racing wheel, and a tiny plug-in fan to keep the computer cool.

Nick and Mike’s Steakhouse

What happens when two eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series drivers team up in an attempt to win an Outback Steakhouse gift card?

Well, no gift card is earned. Maybe next time, guys.

A virtual paint scheme reveal

JR Motorsports cars didn’t get to hit the track this weekend, but these sharp paint schemes had to get noticed somehow — enter iRacing.

eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series: Luza wins at Homestead

Williams Esports driver Ryan Luza took the checkers at Homestead-Miami Speedway Tuesday night in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series. Luza’s victory was the first for Williams Esports and Luza’s first win in nearly a year.

Logan Clampitt finished second — his best finish since 2018 — and continued an impressive run of momentum for Burton Kligerman Esports.

The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series returns to action March 31 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Fresh paint for Coca-Cola iRacing Series drivers

Take a look at some of the new paint schemes from Tuesday’s 134-lapper from Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Gearing up for Heat Pro League

The second season of the eNASCAR Heat Pro League is starting soon — and plenty of preparation was done with free racing on Xbox Live over the weekend.

iRacing paint scheme of the week

Ben Rhodes needed a paint scheme for the Replacements 100 — he’s a Gander Trucks driver and the race took place using NASCAR Cup Series-style cars. Twitter to the rescue!

Painter Steve Buhala stepped up and painted an adaptation of Rhodes’ truck, and it looks fantastic on the Cup car.

Video of the week

Malik Ray, eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, called Jordy Lopez to victory in the first iRacing Road to Pro Series race last week.

We love the hype.