Updates from the Armchair: Turning Laps with Bowyer, Dale Jr. Talks iRacing, PEAK Series Finale

Getting Dirty with Clint Bowyer While iRacing is traditionally known for its NASCAR-style stock car racing roots, it also offers a diverse platform of different racing disciplines, including road racing and dirt racing. Newly minted iRacing dirt champion Zach Leonhardi won an experience of a lifetime: teaming up with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver and dirt aficionado Clint Bowyer to tear up some dirt on the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. https://twitter.com/TheDirtTrack/status/1057624675105361920 https://twitter.com/ClintBowyer/status/1057650817845608448 Other drivers expressed their respect for the program that gave an iRacer an exciting shot in a real race car. https://twitter.com/KyleLarsonRacin/status/1057651358600294400 https://twitter.com/DaleJr/status/1059639742155931648 https://twitter.com/CBellRacing/status/1059641741966499840 Dale Jr. Talks Sim Racing’s Role Longtime iRacing community member Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke about the importance of online racing in developing his own team -- including meeting his longtime spotter, TJ Majors, and late model driver Josh Berry.   While Junior’s racing online a little less frequently these days -- you know, family obligations, a recent book release, and his job with NBC Sports -- he admitted he still turns some practice laps from time to time. https://twitter.com/DaleJr/status/1059641793975857152 Roval Progress iRacing shared a work-in-progress screenshot of the Charlotte road course, expected for release soon. https://twitter.com/iRacing/status/1058098504973893634 Look out for those turtles! Bubba’s Battlestation Maybe we’ll catch Bubba Wallace turn some laps on iRacing with his sweet updated PC setup -- in between streaming Call of Duty, of course. https://twitter.com/BubbaWallace/status/1058054133113126912 NASCAR PEAK ANTIFREEZE iRACING SERIES UPDATE The NASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series crowned Ray Alfalla as 2018 champion two weeks ago, holding off defending champ Ryan Luza in a thrilling late-race battle. https://twitter.com/NASCAR/status/1054926756891639808 The now-four-time champ will accept his $10,000 prize and a NASCAR championship ring at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend. https://twitter.com/rayalfalla/status/1055083668912381953 Relive the season finale in three minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9faTM45yzM The start of the off-season means Most Popular Driver voting for iRacing Series has opened. https://twitter.com/RLRacing2/status/1059567053772935168 https://twitter.com/rayalfalla/status/1059550151658889217 Speaking of virtual NASCAR champions, recently-crowned eNASCAR Ignite Series champ Zack Novak stopped by Martinsville Speedway for some recognition at the site of where he clinched his title. https://twitter.com/iRacing/status/1056593249752756225 IRACING PAINT SCHEMES OF THE WEEK While Jimmie Johnson’s official new Ally Financial paint scheme hasn’t been unveiled yet, that hasn’t stopped creative iRacing painters from using their imaginations in creating their own fictional design concepts. Scott Pierchorowicz assembled a design worthy of consideration, down to the iconic yellow No. 48 numbers. Anthony Mahone took a different approach with his design concept. Painter Justin Bland tweaked a classic mid-2000s Hendrick Motorsports design to create a new paint scheme idea.   DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME Everybody can agree flying race cars are a bad thing, even in the virtual world. Check out this close call, in which a car flips over another, somehow not taking out an innocent bystander car. https://twitter.com/iRacing/status/1055544709161066496 We have a lot of questions.