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February 19, 2019

Wide World of eSports: iRacing season opener, PEAK iRacing Series drivers give advice, and the real Dale Jr.?


That can’t be Dale …

A driver in a random iRacing session named Dale Earnhardt Jr.? It can’t be, can it?

https://twitter.com/SketchyNinja3/status/1095518836466638849

https://twitter.com/Xl_Truth_lX/status/1095700489197506562

https://twitter.com/DaleJr/status/1095700769389641728

https://twitter.com/DaleJr/status/1095701417459961857

No better way to confirm it was Dale Jr. than from the man himself. Plus, his former spotter TJ Majors hanging out in the session might have given it away, too.

Novak wins PEAK iRacing Series opener

Roush Fenway Racing’s Zack Novak claimed the first round of the 2019 eNASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series in a thrilling side-by-side finish with Jimmy Mullis of Richmond Raceway eSports.

https://twitter.com/roushfenway/status/1095528976729231360

Perhaps Novak, the reigning eNASCAR Ignite Series champion, can teach his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series counterpart Ricky Stenhouse Jr. a thing or two about sim racing.

https://twitter.com/roushfenway/status/1095728400998776832

And, yes, Mike Davis, the competition is real.

https://twitter.com/MikeDavis88/status/1095524279859494912

https://twitter.com/DaleJr/status/1095535329627594753

https://twitter.com/FlipSid3Tactics/status/1095530399210635265

https://twitter.com/JTGRacing/status/1095530267475955712

Final lap from Four-Time’s view

Daytona wasn’t kind to Ray Alfalla in his debut with Wood Brothers Racing. After a single-car crash midway through the race, Alfalla chronicled his ascent to finish 19th on a wild green-checkered finish.

https://twitter.com/rayalfalla/status/1095731458637996033


Sunoco joins Richmond Raceway eSports

Even though you don’t need race fuel to make a car move in the virtual world, Sunoco Racing has partnered with Richmond Raceway eSports.

https://twitter.com/RichmondRaceway/status/1096445144046469121

PEAK iRacing Series rookie Malik Ray will sport the Sunoco colors and the No. 90 in honor of Richmond native and former NASCAR team owner Junie Donlavey.

https://twitter.com/DaleJr/status/1096437007713226752


Richmond Raceway eSports drivers visit the Daytona 500

Continuing an eventful week for Richmond Raceway eSports, drivers Jimmy Mullis and Malik Ray visited the Daytona 500, spending some time teaching fans about iRacing.

https://twitter.com/RReSports/status/1096830669261586434

https://twitter.com/RichmondRaceway/status/1097169074373779456

https://twitter.com/jmullisracing/status/1096631913962385408


Valentine’s Ray

The defending and four-time eNASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series champion sent his best wishes for Valentine’s Day last week.

https://twitter.com/rayalfalla/status/1096187785923489794


Leveling the playing field

Sim racing has changed the way up-and-coming drivers can showcase their skills, as evidenced by NASCAR driver and iRacing team owner Parker Kligerman’s interaction with a fan and eSports hopeful.

https://twitter.com/pkligerman/status/1095878152952385536


Heat Pro League Showcase Races continue

Last week, the eNASCAR Heat Pro League continued its Showcase Race series ahead of the series draft in March — this time, racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Xfinity Series cars. Competitors looked to demonstrate their racecraft skills in hopes of catching the eye of a real Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team.

https://twitter.com/PS4Jobes19/status/1096508321006268416

https://twitter.com/D4Cjrhorn/status/1096949193372037120

https://twitter.com/joeyruiz916/status/1096170934166118400

https://twitter.com/onfirercn18/status/1097561376967536640

The next Showcase Race takes place Wednesday at Martinsville Speedway in the Gander Outdoors Truck Series-style trucks.


iRacing Paint Schemes of the Week

Erik Le brought Natalie Decker’s unfortunately short-lived truck to life for iRacing.

JR Motorsports graphic designer Jordan Erickson ported the design from Noah Gragson’s No. 9 Xfinity Series Chevrolet to the virtual screen.


iRacing Video of the Week

Check out the highlight reel of the PEAK iRacing Series opening race at Daytona, culminating in an exciting finish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxeULr1iOcc&feature=youtu.be


NASCAR Heat 3 Video of the Week

The second eNASCAR Heat Pro League Showcase Race featured the top eSports racers competing in the Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Catch the recap from 704 Games:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoHBWv4Mqj4

MUST WATCH