The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series makes its first-ever trip to Circuit of the Americas May 18. Here’s who’s hot right now.
Chris Shearburn, Letarte Esports
Rank: 10 (previously not ranked)
Technically, with his Kansas win, Chris Shearburn’s now won a quarter of the past eight races. It’s a long-overdue run of success for the veteran racer, though COTA isn’t really an ideal place to follow up a win for him — he’s never finished in the top 15 on a road course in the Coca-Cola iRacing Series.
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Michael Guest, Jim Beaver eSports
Rank: 9 (-3)
Michael Guest continues to put together a solid season, coming home sixth at Kansas and solidifying his third-place spot in the standings. It’s a good thing he’s built the buffer — his 26.4 average finish on road courses likely has him at the Charlotte oval, a week past COTA.
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Isaac Gann, Kligerman Sport
Rank: 8 (+2)
Though we haven’t seen the rookie race on a road course yet, momentum is on Isaac Gann’s side heading into COTA. He’s climbed to sixth in points with three consecutive top-five finishes. At the current pace of unique winners this year, however, he may need to snag a win soon to ensure a spot in the playoffs.
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Ryan Luza, XSET
Rank: 7 (-5)
A virtually-assured spot in the playoffs has to feel like a relief to Las Vegas winner Ryan Luza, who isn’t considered a road-course expert by any means. The 2017 champ has never finished top 10 when there are right-hand turns involved and has an average finish of 23rd. Look for Luza to return to his usual self at Charlotte.
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Michael Conti, JR Motorsports
Rank: 6 (+1)
It’s quite possible Michael Conti gives ‘em a run for their money in Austin. The former Watkins Glen winner is usually a top-five fixture at road courses — unless he makes a bad shift. Too soon?
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Jimmy Mullis, Richmond Raceway eSports
Rank: 5 (previously not ranked)
Jimmy Mullis is still chasing his first win of 2021, and COTA very well could be a place for him to grab his first. He’s never finished worse than 10th in his six starts on road courses, and he was Bobby Zalenski’s runner-up in both road-course races last year.
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Logan Clampitt, William Byron eSports
Rank: 4 (-1)
Logan Clampitt’s 2021 season has been a good one so far, and it’s likely to continue at COTA. Clampitt’s scored top-five finishes in the past four road races.
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Keegan Leahy, 23XI Racing
Rank: 3 (-2)
With a win in the bank, it’s time to score points — and a road course is a very good place for Keegan Leahy to do that. He’s never finished outside the top 10 in five road-course starts.
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Nick Ottinger, William Byron eSports
Rank: 2 (+2)
We talk a lot about Bobby Zalenski at road courses, but let’s not forget that Nick Ottinger’s finished third in the past four road races. He’s a legitimate contender.
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Bobby Zalenski, Letarte Esports
Rank: 1 (+7)
Zalenski’s an easy No. 1 on our list. He’s started six road-course races in his career, and he’s won all six. In other words, he’s never lost a race when they turn right — including the last two new road courses in the Charlotte Roval and Daytona Road Course. You’ll have to go back to 2018 to even find a single lap where Bobby Z. hasn’t led in a road race. Everybody’s racing for second place.
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Catch the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series live from Circuit of the Americas Tuesday, May 18 at 9 p.m. ET, at eNASCAR.com/live.