Four eNASCAR Ignite Series takeaways

Zack Novak claimed the inaugural eNASCAR Ignite Series championship Thursday night, beating Ireland’s Dave Walsh for a $10,000 racing scholarship, one-on-one time with Max Papis and a heap of other prizes.

Zack Novak captures inaugural eNASCAR Ignite Series Championship.

🏁: https://t.co/ENpT24pn8H pic.twitter.com/cerfTKjw80

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2018

The series, designed to showcase up-and-coming talent in a virtual setting, featured 13- to 16-year old drivers from around the globe racing on short tracks using iRacing’s legends cars — not much unlike the cars used at local short tracks to groom young talent for a future in stock car racing.

Zack Novak was crowned as champion last night after winning the inaugural eNASCAR Ignite Series Championship race at Martinsville. 👑

The young simracer held off the rest of the competition and drove away with $10,000! 💰 pic.twitter.com/WlKqd2Bdz6

— iRacing (@iRacing) September 27, 2018

Here’s what we learned after the first season.

Zack Novak is really good.

Not only did Zack Novak put on an absolutely clutch performance to win the eNASCAR Ignite Series, he also is a NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series driver — and winner. In his rookie season, the driver from Connecticut won at Chicagoland Speedway, and he’s already picked up three runner-up finishes in 2018.

Zack Novak has proven at a young age he can get it done in the smaller, slower, lightweight eNASCAR Ignite Series legends cars, as well as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series-replica cars of the PEAK Series.

People are watching.

The inaugural eNASCAR Ignite Series drew plenty of attention.

Between social coverage and live viewership, racing fans followed the progression of the series from its launch in June. The finale broadcast stream drew over 100,000 views.

Last night's @NASCAR IGNITE Series powered by @iRacing championship race on @RaceSpotTV has been viewed by over 100,000 people since last night across Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube combined. #iRacing #eSports pic.twitter.com/Bz0TgZ1RDe

— Evan Posocco (@evanposocco) September 28, 2018

The right people are paying attention.

There are eyes on the eNASCAR Ignite Series — and the right eyes, too.

NASCAR race director Jusan Hamilton tweeted his congratulations to the champ after stopping by the pre-race broadcast earlier in the evening.

Great to see this championship race after a hard fought inaugural season. Appreciate the collaboration with @iRacing on the @NASCAR Ignite Series. Congratulations Champion Zach Novak and all 480 youth participants! https://t.co/IVenfE1QMr

— Jusan Hamilton (@JusanHamilton) September 27, 2018

iRacing’s Executive Vice President Steve Myers offered his congratulations, too.

Congratulations Zach Novak on being the inaugural @NASCAR ignite series champion! Awesome to see a kid from Ireland run P2. Great example how @iRacing brings oval racing to the world.

— Steve Myers (@iRacingMyers) September 27, 2018

There’s talent here.

In addition to highlighting Zack Novak’s skill, the eNASCAR Ignite Series made names for other up-and-comers.

Ireland’s Dave Walsh demonstrated maturity beyond his years in his post-race interview after coming up just short of the title.

Garrett Lowe of North Carolina led the entire playoff-opening race and looked like a favorite to contend.

Briar LaPradd made a name for himself throughout the season.

Had so much fun running the eNASCAR Ignite Series! Thank you to everyone who supported me. P6 in the main. Hopefully @iRacing and @NASCAR noticed 😉 haha. Congrats to @ldrnovak15 ! Bet the PEAK boys are celebrating.

— Briar LaPradd (@BriarLaPradd) September 27, 2018

And that’s just a short list to start — a three-month season put the spotlight on a whole new crop of drivers.

Watch the eNASCAR Ignite Series finale broadcast from Martinsville: