Enascar Daytona Photo Finish 2020
Coca-Cola iRacing Series

Preview: Coca-Cola iRacing Series returns to Daytona Oval

August 25, 2020

It’s time for more superspeedway racing in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series. Daytona International Speedway — this time the traditional 2.5-mile oval, unlike the previous series race at the track’s road course — hosts Round 13 of the 2020 season. It’s the same track where the 2020 season began, and the first time in series history where Daytona’s appeared on the schedule more than once.

Race info

Race 13 of 20
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach, Fla.
2.5-mile superspeedway
100 laps

Previous winners at Daytona

In 11 races at Daytona, there’s been quite a bit of parity. Series GOAT Ray Alfalla is the only driver to win twice — in 2015 and 2011. Daytona hosted the first-ever Coca-Cola iRacing Series race in 2010, won by Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Yes, that Dale Jr.)

2020-1: Keegan Leahy
2019: Zack Novak
2018: Nick Ottinger
2017: Darik Bordeau
2016: Allen Boes
2015: Ray Alfalla
2014: Kenny Humpe
2013: Adam Gilliland
2012: Jeremy R. Allen
2011: Ray Alfalla
2010: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Last race at Daytona: Leahy edges Ottinger

The 2020 Coca-Cola iRacing Series kicked off at Daytona back in February — forever ago, it seems — and it started with quite a race. Keegan Leahy edged Nick Ottinger to win by 0.005 seconds.

Last race: Zalenski wins fifth straight road race

Since joining the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series in 2017, Bobby Zalenski has never lost a race on a road course; he is, by all accounts, the undisputed road-racing king. The most recent race took place at the Daytona Road Course for the first time ever, and Zalenski did what Zalenski does when the cars turn left and right: dominate.

Zalenski led all 45 laps after qualifying from the pole, winning by a series-record 18.9 seconds over Jimmy Mullis. It was Zalenski’s sixth career victory, moving him to seventh on the all-time wins list, tying him with Brad Davies and 2019 series champ Zack Novak.

Points picture after 12 races

Just four races remain before the playoffs — and half of those races are at superspeedways. Daytona hosts Tuesday’s race, while the Oct. 1 event at Talladega ends the regular season.

1) Keegan Leahy, 384 points
2) Bobby Zalenski, -2
3) Ryan Luza, -18
4) Michael Conti, -24
5) Garrett Lowe, -26
6) Ray Alfalla, -48
7) Nick Ottinger, -59
8) Logan Clampitt, -75
9) Jimmy Mullis, -80 (5 points from eighth)
10) Graham Bowlin, -80 (5 points from eighth)
11) Chris Shearburn, -89 (14 points from eighth)
12) Brad Davies, -97 (22 points from eighth)

The top eight drivers in points after the regular-season finale on Oct. 1 at Talladega Superspeedway will make the playoffs. The series champion will win $100,000.

What to expect

It’s Daytona. What can you predict?

The February season-opener was a remarkably clean race. The caution never flew, and the only notable on-track incident occurred in the final-lap run to the checkered flag, which sent rookie Graham Bowlin flying through the air — one heck of a welcome to the Coca-Cola iRacing Series.

Even though the draft is often considered the great equalizer, it seems the cream usually rises. Case in point: the top four finishers in the February race have combined for 30 career wins.

It could also be the place where a driver looking for their first-ever win could break through. Take Malik Ray for instance, who led 12 laps in February, until bad luck derailed a hopeful evening.

Whatever happens, we’ll be watching the playoff bubble closely. Drivers who tend to master the draft — and stay out of trouble — might have an edge, considering Daytona and Talladega make up two of the four remaining tracks before the playoffs begin.

How to watch

Round 13 of the season airs live Tuesday, August 25 at 9 p.m. ET.

Catch the racing action streamed live:

– eNASCAR.com/live
– Facebook.com/NASCAR
– YouTube.com/NASCAR
– Twitch.tv/iRacing