BEDFORD, Mass. -- The lineup for the 2011 NASCAR iRacing.com Series World Championship has been announced. Heading the 50-driver roster for the 18-race, 36-week series are the defending champion, Richard Towler of Hull, England, and title runner-up Brad Davies of Wauchula, Fla. The 2011 season kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on February 15 at iRacing.com's virtual version of Daytona International Speedway.

"The 2010 season saw a great battle down to the wire between Rich and Brad," said Tony Gardner, iRacing.com president. "The 2011 season should be even more exciting. Congratulations to everyone on great performances last year and to the drivers who've qualified for this year's series."

Gardner noted that the top 30 drivers from the 2010 rankings automatically make the field for this year, while the top 20 drivers in the iRacing.com Pro Series complete the 50-driver field for the iRacing.com Series World Championship. Gardner also noted that 2011 will see an increase in prize money for the series' top finishers.

Nineteen-year-old stock trader Richie Davidowitz (Holbrook, N.Y.) tops the list of newcomers to the world championship after besting 16-year-old high-school sophomore Brad Wright (High Point, N.C.) and real-world nationally-ranked IMCA Hobby Stock racer and college student Charles Cosper (Belton, Texas) for the iRacing.com Pro Series crown.