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eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Power Rankings, Race 1: Thanks for the help, Dale
By Steve Luvender | Friday, March 20, 2020
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Have you heard? Your favorite NASCAR stars are racing this weekend. The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series kicks off Sunday (1:30 p.m. ET on FS1 and FOX Sports app), featuring dozens of NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series drivers competing for bragging rights at iRacing’s virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s gonna be a great time.
Longtime sim racer Dale Earnhardt Jr., who himself will compete Sunday, helped us out by sharing some practice lap times and his top five picks for Sunday that formed the basis for our Power Rankings. I’m saying he basically did half the work for us as an informal guest analyst, like a bad group project in school — thanks, Dale.
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Brad Keselowski
Rank: 20
iRating: 2669
Brad K is an old-school sim racer. Or, maybe the more accurate description is a sim-racing hipster — playing all the older games before it was cool. We haven’t seen a whole lot of him on iRacing, but maybe it’s like riding a bike and some of those NASCAR Racing 2003 Season skills will translate to modern-day iRacing.
Rank: 20
iRating: 2669
Brad K is an old-school sim racer. Or, maybe the more accurate description is a sim-racing hipster — playing all the older games before it was cool. We haven’t seen a whole lot of him on iRacing, but maybe it’s like riding a bike and some of those NASCAR Racing 2003 Season skills will translate to modern-day iRacing.
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Clint Bowyer
Rank: 19
iRating: Rookie
Clint Bowyer’s not only on the entry list for Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational race as a driver, he’s also an in-car analyst for the FS1 TV broadcast. The prospect of Clint Bowyer, of all people, multitasking ought to be something to watch.
Rank: 19
iRating: Rookie
Clint Bowyer’s not only on the entry list for Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational race as a driver, he’s also an in-car analyst for the FS1 TV broadcast. The prospect of Clint Bowyer, of all people, multitasking ought to be something to watch.
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Kyle Busch
Rank: 18
iRating: Rookie
On one hand, Kyle Busch isn’t a terribly experienced sim racer, Daytona USA notwithstanding. On the other hand, he’s Kyle Busch.
Rank: 18
iRating: Rookie
On one hand, Kyle Busch isn’t a terribly experienced sim racer, Daytona USA notwithstanding. On the other hand, he’s Kyle Busch.
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No. 17: Justin Allgaier
Rank: 17
iRating: 862
Ashley Allgaier posted an adorable video of daughter Harper racing with Dad on his simulator. Allgaier’s probably the only driver in the field who’s got a backup driver on deck ready to go.
Rank: 17
iRating: 862
Ashley Allgaier posted an adorable video of daughter Harper racing with Dad on his simulator. Allgaier’s probably the only driver in the field who’s got a backup driver on deck ready to go.
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Ryan Preece
Rank: 16
iRating: Rookie
You have to wonder if Ryan Preece petitioned the race directors to add a Modifieds class to Sunday’s race. It’s possible in iRacing, technically.
Rank: 16
iRating: Rookie
You have to wonder if Ryan Preece petitioned the race directors to add a Modifieds class to Sunday’s race. It’s possible in iRacing, technically.
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Bubba Wallace
Rank: 15
iRating: 1173
We haven’t seen what Bubba’s got up his sleeve for Sunday yet, but he introduced us to the delicious combination that is Goldfish and Coca-Cola, and for that we thank him. And rank him!
Rank: 15
iRating: 1173
We haven’t seen what Bubba’s got up his sleeve for Sunday yet, but he introduced us to the delicious combination that is Goldfish and Coca-Cola, and for that we thank him. And rank him!
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Chase Briscoe
Rank: 14
iRating: 3541
He may not have been the speediest in the first round of practice, but Chase Briscoe is a veteran of nearly 2,000 races on iRacing. He’s like the virtual Denny Hamlin.
Rank: 14
iRating: 3541
He may not have been the speediest in the first round of practice, but Chase Briscoe is a veteran of nearly 2,000 races on iRacing. He’s like the virtual Denny Hamlin.
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Matt DiBenedetto
Rank: 13
iRating: 4535
Guido’s a sleeper. He’s got the fourth-highest iRating in Sunday’s field and has 77 race wins to his name in the virtual world. We haven’t seen how he stacks up against the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series field in practice yet, but he’s also had a lot more time to hit the home gym as of late.
Rank: 13
iRating: 4535
Guido’s a sleeper. He’s got the fourth-highest iRating in Sunday’s field and has 77 race wins to his name in the virtual world. We haven’t seen how he stacks up against the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series field in practice yet, but he’s also had a lot more time to hit the home gym as of late.
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Anthony Alfredo
Rank: 12
iRating: 2138
When Anthony Alfredo’s not racing, he’s probably, well, racing. “Fast Pasta” owns a sim racing league and regularly streams his iRacing adventures. Expect him to feel in his element Sunday.
Rank: 12
iRating: 2138
When Anthony Alfredo’s not racing, he’s probably, well, racing. “Fast Pasta” owns a sim racing league and regularly streams his iRacing adventures. Expect him to feel in his element Sunday.
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Kyle Larson
Rank: 11
iRating: 3860
Homestead-Miami Speedway is sort of Kyle Larson’s place. Maybe Larson, a 57-race winner on iRacing, can add to his stats Sunday.
Rank: 11
iRating: 3860
Homestead-Miami Speedway is sort of Kyle Larson’s place. Maybe Larson, a 57-race winner on iRacing, can add to his stats Sunday.
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Garrett Smithley
Rank: 10
iRating: 3929
Don’t sleep on Garrett Smithley for a solid run Sunday. He showed respectable speed in practice and posted a solid seventh-place effort in last Sunday’s Replacements 100 — the third-highest-finishing driver behind William Byron (second) and Parker Kligerman (fifth).
Rank: 10
iRating: 3929
Don’t sleep on Garrett Smithley for a solid run Sunday. He showed respectable speed in practice and posted a solid seventh-place effort in last Sunday’s Replacements 100 — the third-highest-finishing driver behind William Byron (second) and Parker Kligerman (fifth).
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Ross Chastain
Rank: 9
iRating: 3238
Ross Chastain’s second-fastest practice lap Thursday was a little bit of a surprise. If he wins Sunday’s race, we’re gonna need to request a watermelon-smashing live stream from the living room of the Chastain home, which will probably require some tarps like it’s a Gallagher show.
Rank: 9
iRating: 3238
Ross Chastain’s second-fastest practice lap Thursday was a little bit of a surprise. If he wins Sunday’s race, we’re gonna need to request a watermelon-smashing live stream from the living room of the Chastain home, which will probably require some tarps like it’s a Gallagher show.
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Landon Cassill
Rank: 8
iRating: 2696
The Cassills welcomed a new addition to the family recently, and Landon’s been driving like he’s on the way to the delivery room — he’s won his last three A-class iRacing events.
Rank: 8
iRating: 2696
The Cassills welcomed a new addition to the family recently, and Landon’s been driving like he’s on the way to the delivery room — he’s won his last three A-class iRacing events.
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Christopher Bell
Rank: 7
iRating: 5712
Don’t let his quiet demeanor fool you; Christopher Bell is really good at iRacing. He boasts the third-highest iRating in the field and has won 237 asphalt oval races. That’s not even including dirt.
Rank: 7
iRating: 5712
Don’t let his quiet demeanor fool you; Christopher Bell is really good at iRacing. He boasts the third-highest iRating in the field and has won 237 asphalt oval races. That’s not even including dirt.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Rank: 6
iRating: 3815 (and 7683 on a second account)
One notable omission from Dale Jr.’s top-five list was himself, but that’s just because he’s a humble guy. We saw Junior — who won the first-ever eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series race back in 2010 — methodically pick his way through the Replacements 100 field last Sunday, and we expect him to manage tires better than most again this week.
Rank: 6
iRating: 3815 (and 7683 on a second account)
One notable omission from Dale Jr.’s top-five list was himself, but that’s just because he’s a humble guy. We saw Junior — who won the first-ever eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series race back in 2010 — methodically pick his way through the Replacements 100 field last Sunday, and we expect him to manage tires better than most again this week.
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Timmy Hill
Rank: 5
iRating: 5834
Timmy Hill is one of two drivers in the field that have raced in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series — he’s got 54 starts to his name across four seasons. He’s quick, and he knows how to get the job done in iRacing.
Rank: 5
iRating: 5834
Timmy Hill is one of two drivers in the field that have raced in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series — he’s got 54 starts to his name across four seasons. He’s quick, and he knows how to get the job done in iRacing.
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Denny Hamlin
Rank: 4
iRating: 4016
If practice is worth anything, expect results from longtime sim racer Denny Hamlin. Hamlin put in the time logging practice laps for Sunday’s race, and even worked alongside his eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series driver Keegan Leahy analyzing data.
Rank: 4
iRating: 4016
If practice is worth anything, expect results from longtime sim racer Denny Hamlin. Hamlin put in the time logging practice laps for Sunday’s race, and even worked alongside his eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series driver Keegan Leahy analyzing data.
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Parker Kligerman
Rank: 3
iRating: 4492
Three reasons to keep an eye on Parker Kligerman: First, PK posted the fastest time in Dale Jr.’s practice screenshot. Against the competition in the session, that’s an insane feat. Second, he’s got the most iRacing-on-TV experience out of anybody in the field, having raced in a couple of televised iRacing All-Star Race events last year. Third, he’s got eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series standouts Logan Clampitt and Ashton Crowder in his corner. Clampitt finished second in Tuesday night’s race, while Crowder won in Fontana last month.
Rank: 3
iRating: 4492
Three reasons to keep an eye on Parker Kligerman: First, PK posted the fastest time in Dale Jr.’s practice screenshot. Against the competition in the session, that’s an insane feat. Second, he’s got the most iRacing-on-TV experience out of anybody in the field, having raced in a couple of televised iRacing All-Star Race events last year. Third, he’s got eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series standouts Logan Clampitt and Ashton Crowder in his corner. Clampitt finished second in Tuesday night’s race, while Crowder won in Fontana last month.
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Ty Majeski
Rank: 2
iRating: 10,742 (and 10,706 on a second account)
Ty Majeski’s so good that he’s not only the highest-ranked player on iRacing, he’s also the second-highest-ranked player on a second account. Seriously. And he’s doing it all on a single-screen laptop that probably still has a floppy disk drive.
Rank: 2
iRating: 10,742 (and 10,706 on a second account)
Ty Majeski’s so good that he’s not only the highest-ranked player on iRacing, he’s also the second-highest-ranked player on a second account. Seriously. And he’s doing it all on a single-screen laptop that probably still has a floppy disk drive.
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William Byron
Rank: 1
iRating: 5694
It’s almost like William Byron’s known for his humble beginnings racing on a computer or something. Weird. His second-place finish in the Replacements 100 showed he’s certainly got what it takes to get the job done Sunday, plus he was bad-fast in practice. If he’s Dale Jr.’s favorite to win, he’s ours, too.
Rank: 1
iRating: 5694
It’s almost like William Byron’s known for his humble beginnings racing on a computer or something. Weird. His second-place finish in the Replacements 100 showed he’s certainly got what it takes to get the job done Sunday, plus he was bad-fast in practice. If he’s Dale Jr.’s favorite to win, he’s ours, too.
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