During this time of worldwide shutdown, everyone has to turn to other forms of entertainment. Like all sports, NASCAR’s season is currently on hold, as Covid-19 continues to run wild. Even if there isn’t real racing happening on track throughout the world, that isn’t stopping some of the best racers in the world from doing what they do best.
Enter iRacing, which has become way bigger than anyone probably could have imagined. NASCAR was supposed to be racing at the real Homestead-Miami Speedway this past Sunday. There was still a race that took place, but it was a bit on the unorthodox side. Some of NASCAR’s best have been cranking up the engines in the virtual world.
A new series on iRacing was born, and if you tuned in to Fox Sports One, this past Sunday, then you were able to enjoy something that felt somewhat normal. The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series inaugural event was well worth the watch. In a time without real sports turning to eSports seems to be the best escape from the Coronavirus.
Denny Hamlin was able to win the first event at the virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway, as he held off retired real-life racer Dale Earnhardt Jr. This series has room to grow, but with big-name drivers like Hamlin and Earnhardt, it is almost like watching the real thing. Other drivers include, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson and even William Byron, who’s racing career began on iRacing.
Stewart-Haas Racing driver Clint Bowyer on what iRacing has been for drivers like himself,
“We’re racing until 2:30 in the morning!” Bowyer told For The Win about what he thinks was his Tuesday night because “this quarantine thing’s got me screwed up on days.”
It is a good escape for racers who are used to racing for real. It isn’t a video game, like other esports, as iRacing is a simulator. NASCAR drivers have been using it as a way to test at the different tracks. Now they are using it to pass the time while the real season is on hold.
For those looking for some way to still watch sports, esports and iRacing are your only hope right now. Come join in each Sunday, as the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series visits the Texas Motor Speedway next.
