Wide World of eSports: Heat 3 predicted 500 Pole, Daytona Duel practice, Peak season opener

NASCAR Heat-stradamus? As it turns out, the NASCAR Heat 3 box art -- and bear in mind, this is a game released last September -- predicted the top four qualifiers of this year's Daytona 500. And, yes, even in the exact order, if you judge by running position in the artwork: William Byron, Alex Bowman, Jimmie Johnson, and Chase Elliott. https://twitter.com/bradxperez/status/1094979903496376324 Maybe it's because the NASCAR Heat logos appear on the cars this week. Yeah, that's it. *adjusting tinfoil hat* https://twitter.com/josh_obrien/status/1095101531064553473 Byron's story on Nat Geo Channel William Byron chronicled his journey to NASCAR's premier level, from computer to Cup, on Nat Geo Channel's "Explorer" program Monday. PHOTOS: William Byron on Nat Geo’s ‘Explorer’ https://twitter.com/NASCAR/status/1094974436464300033 Kligerman and Byron practice for Duel on iRacing Parker Kligerman and William Byron, who will compete in Thursday's Gander RV Duel qualifying races, prepared for their races by drafting on iRacing's virtual Daytona International Speedway. Kligerman, unlike Byron, is not locked into the Great American Race, meaning any preparation could make the difference for racing his Gaunt Brothers Racing Toyota into Sunday's Daytona 500. https://twitter.com/pkligerman/status/1095142417538449409 Truck Series racers' Daytona prep Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers weren't the only drivers preparing for the Daytona race weekend. Gander Outdoors Truck Series competitors Harrison Burton, Todd Gilliland, and Christian Eckes invited fans on iRacing to race trucks in the Daytona draft. https://twitter.com/HBurtonRacing/status/1095134679542452224 Myatt Snider streamed some iRacing truck racing, too. https://twitter.com/MyattSnider/status/1095155858990870528 Hurst wins PEAK iRacing Series pre-season Dash Ahead of Tuesday's Daytona season opener, many eNASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series drivers participated in a 50-lap exhibition test race. https://twitter.com/pkligerman/status/1092963471950471168 Taylor Hurst, who went unclaimed in the January 30 draft, dominated the non-points event, leading 45 of 50 laps. Two multi-car crashes took out several race favorites early. https://twitter.com/evanposocco/status/1092983886164897792 Peak iRacing Series season opener Tuesday The eNASCAR PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series officially begins its 2019 season Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, streaming live on eNASCAR.com. Drivers will compete for more than $100,000 in prizes throughout the series' 10th season. RELATED: Power Rankings https://twitter.com/iRacing/status/1094990489554731008 Daytona's season opener marks the first race where drivers represent their new teams. https://twitter.com/MikeConti5/status/1095131137599565824 https://twitter.com/FlipSid3Tactics/status/1095072640723808256 https://twitter.com/woodbrothers21/status/1095057132758679553 https://twitter.com/TallaricoRacing/status/1095324175995207681 eNASCAR Heat Pro League Showcase Races underway The 100 eNASCAR Heat Pro League finalists have started competing in the Showcase Race series -- the opportunity to prove their driving skills beyond raw numbers. https://twitter.com/704NASCARHeat/status/1093967828053569536 https://twitter.com/Harvick_PSN/status/1095219380286382080 With high stakes, it's easy for things to go wrong. https://twitter.com/JMacSportNGame/status/1095298173290102786 https://twitter.com/TheCosmicStorm1/status/1095172149067870211 The draft, where real NASCAR teams select eSports participants to join their teams, takes place in March. iRacing Paint Scheme of the Week Corey LaJoie's Daytona 500 car featuring a massive photo of his face? Fine, whatever. https://twitter.com/GoFasRacing32/status/1094461934450049025 Recreating it for iRacing, so LaJoie's luscious hair and beard can haunt your monitor? Too far, Shawn Howell. https://twitter.com/GoFasRacing32/status/1093539197493886976 NASCAR Heat 3 Video of the Week A fun Easter egg in NASCAR Heat 3: it appears bumping the pace car will make the car take off and run a full-speed lap. https://twitter.com/RIDEWITHRABBIT/status/1095313987523305472