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eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Power Rankings, Race 7 at North Wilkesboro
By Steve Luvender and @nascarcasm | Wednesday, May 6, 2020
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NASCAR.com's finest contributors (they insisted we write that), @nascarcasm and Steve Luvender break down the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series field heading into iRacing's debut of the classic North Wilkesboro Speedway Saturday (3 p.m. ET, FOX/FS1).
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So close
Much like his photo-finish second place at Talladega last week, Corey LaJoie came up just short of making our elite top 20 rankings. That'll happen when you use your fast repair before Lap 10 at the Monster Mile.
Much like his photo-finish second place at Talladega last week, Corey LaJoie came up just short of making our elite top 20 rankings. That'll happen when you use your fast repair before Lap 10 at the Monster Mile.
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Cole Custer
Rank: 20
Change: previously not ranked
@NASCARCASM: Welcome, Cole Custer, to the great and exalted power rankings! Custer mustered a 12th-place finish and we felt that he deserved a spot at the table. Cole definitely has what it takes to win an iRacing, as soon as they add the functionality that allows a driver to fall off of his virtual car in Victory Lane.
Rank: 20
Change: previously not ranked
@NASCARCASM: Welcome, Cole Custer, to the great and exalted power rankings! Custer mustered a 12th-place finish and we felt that he deserved a spot at the table. Cole definitely has what it takes to win an iRacing, as soon as they add the functionality that allows a driver to fall off of his virtual car in Victory Lane.
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Jimmie Johnson
Rank: 19
Change: no change
STEVE LUVENDER: The virtual Monster was not kind to Jimmie Johnson, which was sort of a role reversal considering he's won at Real Dover 11 times. Now, Jimmie's heading to North Wilkesboro, a track that's been inactive on the NASCAR tour since before his iRacing-standout teammate William Byron was born.
Rank: 19
Change: no change
STEVE LUVENDER: The virtual Monster was not kind to Jimmie Johnson, which was sort of a role reversal considering he's won at Real Dover 11 times. Now, Jimmie's heading to North Wilkesboro, a track that's been inactive on the NASCAR tour since before his iRacing-standout teammate William Byron was born.
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Aric Almirola
Rank: 18
Change: previously not ranked
@NASCARCASM: We realized that Aric's is a household filled with virtual racing and breakfast meats so when things return to normal, we hope this very kind addition of Aric to the rankings earns us an invite over there for an iRacing/bacon soiree. Our intentions here are not admirable whatsoever.
Rank: 18
Change: previously not ranked
@NASCARCASM: We realized that Aric's is a household filled with virtual racing and breakfast meats so when things return to normal, we hope this very kind addition of Aric to the rankings earns us an invite over there for an iRacing/bacon soiree. Our intentions here are not admirable whatsoever.
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Kurt Busch
Rank: 17
Change: -7
STEVE LUVENDER: Don't worry about such a significant drop in our rankings, Kurt. You're still No. 1.
Rank: 17
Change: -7
STEVE LUVENDER: Don't worry about such a significant drop in our rankings, Kurt. You're still No. 1.
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Brad Keselowski
Rank: 16
Change: -4
@NASCARCASM: Brad had a day that was bad and he's probably mad and a tad sad. But you watched the latest installments of "The Last Dance" on ESPN, you saw a pivotal scene where Michael Jordan and his teammates were celebrating a milestone victory with cans of Miller Lite. Brad Keselowski does the same. In fact, he celebrates with a 2-liter glass of Miller Lite. What I'm saying is that this makes Brad a better basketball player than Michael Jordan and that's why he's ranked.
Rank: 16
Change: -4
@NASCARCASM: Brad had a day that was bad and he's probably mad and a tad sad. But you watched the latest installments of "The Last Dance" on ESPN, you saw a pivotal scene where Michael Jordan and his teammates were celebrating a milestone victory with cans of Miller Lite. Brad Keselowski does the same. In fact, he celebrates with a 2-liter glass of Miller Lite. What I'm saying is that this makes Brad a better basketball player than Michael Jordan and that's why he's ranked.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Rank: 15
Change: -4
STEVE LUVENDER: All that landscaping work will finally pay off for Dale Jr., who finally gets to race at North Wilkesboro on iRacing. We wonder if he asked for an advance copy of the track, which hasn't yet been released to the general iRacing public, to "verify authenticity" (read: test the heck out of the track so he wins Saturday).
Rank: 15
Change: -4
STEVE LUVENDER: All that landscaping work will finally pay off for Dale Jr., who finally gets to race at North Wilkesboro on iRacing. We wonder if he asked for an advance copy of the track, which hasn't yet been released to the general iRacing public, to "verify authenticity" (read: test the heck out of the track so he wins Saturday).
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Bobby Labonte
Rank: 14
Change: previously not ranked
@NASCARCASM: The way that Barefoot Bobby showed up and ran clean and consistent races week in and week out is amazing. He mastered this new technology with the greatest of ease. Meanwhile, my dad is still trying to plug a phone cord into an iPad.
Rank: 14
Change: previously not ranked
@NASCARCASM: The way that Barefoot Bobby showed up and ran clean and consistent races week in and week out is amazing. He mastered this new technology with the greatest of ease. Meanwhile, my dad is still trying to plug a phone cord into an iPad.
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John Hunter Nemechek
Rank: 13
Change: +1
STEVE LUVENDER: JHN taught us all a brand-new lesson in rage-quitting: hit the guy who wronged you, then unplug the computer before he even hits the wall. I'm totally using this next time I get wrecked. iRacing stewards, don't read this, please.
Rank: 13
Change: +1
STEVE LUVENDER: JHN taught us all a brand-new lesson in rage-quitting: hit the guy who wronged you, then unplug the computer before he even hits the wall. I'm totally using this next time I get wrecked. iRacing stewards, don't read this, please.
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Erik Jones
Rank: 12
Change: previously not ranked
@NASCARCASM: That Jones Boi has upped his game in the past couple of races, finishing in the top ten at both Richmond and Dover. Looks like the rest of the field has to start "Keeping Up With The Joneses!" What do you mean, "Oh lord, how long have you been waiting to use that?" OK, like, six years.
Rank: 12
Change: previously not ranked
@NASCARCASM: That Jones Boi has upped his game in the past couple of races, finishing in the top ten at both Richmond and Dover. Looks like the rest of the field has to start "Keeping Up With The Joneses!" What do you mean, "Oh lord, how long have you been waiting to use that?" OK, like, six years.
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Michael McDowell
Rank: 11
Change: previously not ranked
STEVE LUVENDER: Michael McDowell scored a top-five finish at the Monster Mile. Impressive! It makes a little more sense when you realize that out of anybody in the NASCAR Cup Series, he's probably the driver closest in height to the 46-foot-tall Miles the Monster outside the real Dover International Speedway.
Rank: 11
Change: previously not ranked
STEVE LUVENDER: Michael McDowell scored a top-five finish at the Monster Mile. Impressive! It makes a little more sense when you realize that out of anybody in the NASCAR Cup Series, he's probably the driver closest in height to the 46-foot-tall Miles the Monster outside the real Dover International Speedway.
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Parker Kligerman
Rank: 10
Change: -3
@NASCARCASM: It looked like Parker finally had the car to beat but once again, that dastardly and unscrupulous Timmy Hill decided to wreck Parker Kligerman, ruining his day. Timmy Hill, the rogue, the heathen, the renegade. Kidding of course -- they hashed it out after the race. It is impossible to stay mad at Timmy Hill. He's too nice. It's like trying to stay mad at a golden retriever puppy. You just can't.
Rank: 10
Change: -3
@NASCARCASM: It looked like Parker finally had the car to beat but once again, that dastardly and unscrupulous Timmy Hill decided to wreck Parker Kligerman, ruining his day. Timmy Hill, the rogue, the heathen, the renegade. Kidding of course -- they hashed it out after the race. It is impossible to stay mad at Timmy Hill. He's too nice. It's like trying to stay mad at a golden retriever puppy. You just can't.
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Kyle Busch
Rank: 9
Change: -3
STEVE LUVENDER: Kyle Busch racked up 34 incident points in 150 laps at Dover. Considering the race only offered a single fast-repair car reset, that's actually quite an impressive feat. Most race cars can't take 17 incidents before heading to Dale Jr.'s car graveyard.
Rank: 9
Change: -3
STEVE LUVENDER: Kyle Busch racked up 34 incident points in 150 laps at Dover. Considering the race only offered a single fast-repair car reset, that's actually quite an impressive feat. Most race cars can't take 17 incidents before heading to Dale Jr.'s car graveyard.
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Ryan Preece
Rank: 8
Change: -5
@NASCARCASM: Some might suggest that it's too early to call, but at this point we feel it's safe to project that Ryan Preece will earn the award of "Best Ryan In The Pro Invitational Series" during our season-ending awards banquet. He had a day to forget at Dover, but the points and the finishes speak for themselves. ALL HAIL THE RYAN OF RYANS.
Rank: 8
Change: -5
@NASCARCASM: Some might suggest that it's too early to call, but at this point we feel it's safe to project that Ryan Preece will earn the award of "Best Ryan In The Pro Invitational Series" during our season-ending awards banquet. He had a day to forget at Dover, but the points and the finishes speak for themselves. ALL HAIL THE RYAN OF RYANS.
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Christopher Bell
Rank: 7
Change: +13
STEVE LUVENDER: C. Bell finally landed back on earth after launching into outer space at Richmond two weeks ago. The trip to the great beyond must have changed his approach to racing, since he nearly won at Dover but finishing second behind William Byron's basically a win.
Rank: 7
Change: +13
STEVE LUVENDER: C. Bell finally landed back on earth after launching into outer space at Richmond two weeks ago. The trip to the great beyond must have changed his approach to racing, since he nearly won at Dover but finishing second behind William Byron's basically a win.
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Landon Cassill
Rank: 6
Change: -2
@NASCARCASM: No one has poured as much time and effort into iRacing than Landon Cassill. His Twitch streams, his dedication to his sponsor, Blue Emu, and countless hours in front of the sim have earned him a permanent spot in the top ten of the power rankings. The man was in the sim with his newborn infant in a sling on his chest. THAT is dedication. It also raises the risk of his first words being "OH MY GOD SUAREZ, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?"
Rank: 6
Change: -2
@NASCARCASM: No one has poured as much time and effort into iRacing than Landon Cassill. His Twitch streams, his dedication to his sponsor, Blue Emu, and countless hours in front of the sim have earned him a permanent spot in the top ten of the power rankings. The man was in the sim with his newborn infant in a sling on his chest. THAT is dedication. It also raises the risk of his first words being "OH MY GOD SUAREZ, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?"
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Denny Hamlin
Rank: 5
Change: +4
STEVE LUVENDER: Denny had a much better race at Dover than he did at Talladega. Amazing what racing with a monitor turned on can do for one's iRacing results. Although, imagine how many remote controls in the Hamlin house were hidden too well and won't be found again for months.
Rank: 5
Change: +4
STEVE LUVENDER: Denny had a much better race at Dover than he did at Talladega. Amazing what racing with a monitor turned on can do for one's iRacing results. Although, imagine how many remote controls in the Hamlin house were hidden too well and won't be found again for months.
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Garrett Smithley
Rank: 4
Change: +1
@NASCARCASM: Garrett Smithley's average finish in the Pro Invitational Series is currently 7.8. He's finished outside of the top ten only once. And if you watched his Twitch stream, he called it that John Hunter Nemechek was gonna retaliate against Denny Hamlin. This guy is an iRacing superstar and soothsayer.
Rank: 4
Change: +1
@NASCARCASM: Garrett Smithley's average finish in the Pro Invitational Series is currently 7.8. He's finished outside of the top ten only once. And if you watched his Twitch stream, he called it that John Hunter Nemechek was gonna retaliate against Denny Hamlin. This guy is an iRacing superstar and soothsayer.
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Alex & Finn Bowman
Rank: 3
Change: +5
STEVE LUVENDER: When we score our Power Rankings each week, we list each driver and where we rank them, then average the rankings together. Well, my counterpart @nascarcasm made it abundantly clear on his list that he's assigning his ranking to Finn Bowman. So, here you go, Finn. Nicely done with third place in your Power Rankings debut.
Rank: 3
Change: +5
STEVE LUVENDER: When we score our Power Rankings each week, we list each driver and where we rank them, then average the rankings together. Well, my counterpart @nascarcasm made it abundantly clear on his list that he's assigning his ranking to Finn Bowman. So, here you go, Finn. Nicely done with third place in your Power Rankings debut.
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Timmy Hill
Rank: 2
Change: no change
@NASCARCASM: The closing laps at Dover featured an exciting and clean battle between Timmy Hill and William Byron. Hill had the lead, but much older tires, and he knew it was a matter of time before Byron would sail past him. It's the good, clean, and respectful racing that we've come to expect out of Timmy Hi...hold on, Parker Kligerman is calling.
Rank: 2
Change: no change
@NASCARCASM: The closing laps at Dover featured an exciting and clean battle between Timmy Hill and William Byron. Hill had the lead, but much older tires, and he knew it was a matter of time before Byron would sail past him. It's the good, clean, and respectful racing that we've come to expect out of Timmy Hi...hold on, Parker Kligerman is calling.
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William Byron
Rank: 1
Change: no change
STEVE LUVENDER: The last car to win at North Wilkesboro was a No. 24 car, driven by one-time Pro Invitational Series driver Jeff Gordon a year before William Byron was born. It really does feel like the '90s again, with the No. 24 car winning all the time.
Rank: 1
Change: no change
STEVE LUVENDER: The last car to win at North Wilkesboro was a No. 24 car, driven by one-time Pro Invitational Series driver Jeff Gordon a year before William Byron was born. It really does feel like the '90s again, with the No. 24 car winning all the time.
