Rookie Maxwell Castro (PlayStation 4) and veteran driver Daniel Buttafuoco (Xbox One) scored big wins Wednesday night as the eNASCAR Heat Pro League returned to Watkins Glen International.
For the first time series’ history, competitors jumped behind the wheel of NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series machines. The switch was smooth for the field, however, as both races saw a fast and furious pace from start to finish with no cautions.
The action got started with the PlayStation 4 race, led throughout by a host of drivers including defending champion Brandyn Gritton, last week’s victor Nick Jobes and eRCR’s Joey Stone. But in the end, the battle for the win came down to Ganassi Gaming’s Castro and Germain Gaming’s Kyle Arnold.
Castro and Arnold traded blows in the closing laps before a showdown in the final turn saw the two make heavy contact. Castro somehow managed to stay pointed straight and limped across the line to claim his first career victory. Arnold was less fortunate, dropping to a frustrating fourth-place result behind Castro, Stone and Cody Giles.
They crash out of the final turn!!
Rookie Maxwell Castro survives the melee to score the first ever win for @CGRgaming ?: https://t.co/pKBfkg6Ln4 pic.twitter.com/BMgryhBxWR
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 30, 2020
Huge win for @gearwrench @CGRgaming!!! Cant thank my team and sponsors enough for the opportunity! That @TeamChevy Silverado RST was incredible! ?? #ForgeAhead @NASCARHeat @GanassiChip #eNASCARHeat #eNHPL #GanassiGaming #eSports #Gearwrench pic.twitter.com/3FuOxn4MNi
— Maxwell Castro (@MaxwellCastro16) April 30, 2020
Up next was the Xbox One division, which saw less drama courtesy of a dominant performance from Buttafuoco. The Germain Gaming driver started on pole and never looked back, cruising to a 3-second victory over Ganassi Gaming’s Luis Zaiter. Homestead winner Justin Brooks finished third ahead of Nick Walker and Slade Gravitt.
Buttafuoco Wins!
You can see exactly what it meant for @LuckyDog_38 to win at The Glen!
And congrats to @luiszaiter20 in 2nd who pressured him the whole way!https://t.co/7UrV9wDBYY #eNASCARHeat @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/6DAZZVRJfW
— NASCAR Heat (@NASCARHeat) April 30, 2020
Zaiter’s P2 performance, paired with Castro’s victory on the PS4 side, rocketed the Ganassi squad into the overall points lead after two races.
Here's the results from tonight's #eNASCARHeat Pro League races!
Congratulations to all the drivers on a great night of racing!#eNASCAR @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/cizeNKw89m
— NASCAR Heat (@NASCARHeat) April 30, 2020
Well THAT was pretty great! ??@MaxwellCastro16: WINNER!@luiszaiter20: P2 finish!
WE ARE LEADING THE TEAM STANDINGS! ? Great job tonight, boys! #GanassiGaming | @NASCARHeat pic.twitter.com/JkOfHmRDze
— Ganassi Gaming (@CGRgaming) April 30, 2020
The eNASCAR Heat Pro League returns next Wednesday from Dover International Speedway. Coverage begins at 8 PM ET on eNASCAR.com/live.