When NASCAR races at a road course — something typically foreign to young drivers who grew up racing local oval tracks — it’s iRacing’s time to shine. Christopher Bell, Parker Kligerman, and Garrett Smithley were among those pro NASCAR drivers who prepared for their respective races at Watkins Glen this past weekend by turning virtual laps on the iRacing sim.
Headed into a tough weekend @WGI for some road racing! I’ve been sure to do a lot of @iRacing to prepare for the track since I’ve never been there, going in looking for fun and aiming for a clean day Saturday! 🏁
– Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) August 2, 2018
Same, been on @iRacing all week. Definitely makes me feel way more prepared https://t.co/zubKbFkeeW
– Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) August 2, 2018
Left AND right turns this month. Lots of film, lots of @iRacing and plenty of prayers to stay on track. 😳🙈🤞🏻 @WGI @XfinityRacing #LetsGoRoadRacing #XfinityRoadCourseMonth #RightsAndLefts pic.twitter.com/Aex44dHvnR
– Garrett Smithley (@GarrettSmithley) July 31, 2018
All three drivers finished their races cleanly — including, for Xfinity Series drivers, a portion of the race run in wet track conditions.
Even though Chase Briscoe didn’t race at The Glen this weekend, that didn’t stop him from hitting the track.
Retweet. pic.twitter.com/RHBKidSD6T
– Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe5) August 2, 2018
After The Glen, Alex Bowman spent his time on iRacing a little differently.
It was fun throwin down with @AlexBowman88 on @iRacing pic.twitter.com/nHArVYAxkr
– James Turnbull (@JamesTurnbull2j) August 6, 2018
iRacing, always working to improve the realism in its software, released a video explaining the process behind the development of the sim’s new damage model.
NASCAR PEAK ANTIFREEZE iRACING SERIES UPDATE
The stars of iRacing stock cars head to Pocono Raceway on Tuesday for Race 12.
Jimmy Mullis, coming off his first career victory two weeks ago at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, looks to follow up with another win — but there’s been a change atop our Power Rankings.
Some drivers are just looking for a solid finish.
@iRacingSupport how do I get a top 5 this season in NPAiS? https://t.co/GQEycoSaVZ
– Logan Clampitt (@lclampitt44) July 31, 2018
iRACING PAINT SCHEMES OF THE WEEK
Brantley Roden re-created Kyle Busch’s new M&M’s Crunchy Mint Toyota Camry for iRacing. There’s no guarantee it’ll make you drive through the field for a third-place finish at Watkins Glen like Busch did, but it looks good on the track.
LeafFilter sponsored Ryan Truex’s No. 11 Kaulig Racing car in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen Saturday, and painter Justin M. Williams brought it to life on iRacing.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Take a look at this side-by-side, bumping-and-banging photo finish in iRacing’s Camping World Truck Series-style trucks at Michigan, which featured a 0.003-second margin of victory.