Racing fans will be treated to something cool as drivers from around the world will come together in the virtual world to compete in the eNASCAR International iRacing Invitational and there will be plenty of real NASCAR drivers involved.
According to Justin Melillo, a writer for NASCAR's eNASCAR site, there will be two races - one run at the LA Coliseum track, and the second to be run on the Brands Hatch Indy road course, located in the United Kingdom. At the end of the night, the top star will earn a $5,000 prize.
The entry list features drivers from America, Europe, Mexico, Canada and Brazil. The biggest headliner though is Dale Earnhardt Jr, who will lead the United States' contingent of drivers.
Earnhardt has always been a big supporter of iRacing, the subscription-based racing simulator platform, and has been keen on how it can help grow sport he loves so much.
Earnhardt will be joined by other names from throughout NASCAR's lower series, including Anthony Alfredo, Parker Kligerman, Rajah Caruthm, Ryan Vargas, Ty Majeski and Carson Hocevar, who is preparing for his rookie campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The roster is stacked ?
Tomorrow's eNASCAR International @iRacing Invite drivers -
?? @NASCAR National Series:@anthonyalfredo @CarsonHocevar @DaleJr @pkligerman @rajahcaruth_ @RyanVargas_23 @TyMajeski
— ENASCAR (@ENASCARGG) December 11, 2023
As for some drivers globally, four-time NASCAR Mexico Series champion Ruben Garcia will be looking to prove himself against the likes of Earnhardt, as he will represent Mexico in the event. Upcoming female star Regina Sirvent is also among the list of competitors for Mexico in tonight's event.
As for our Canadian friends, they will have Treyten Lapcevich to cheer on.
iRacing has become the perfect setting for events like this to take place, and hopefully, its continued use will one day lead to something similar happening at a real racetrack. For now, this is as close as possible that something of this magnitude can happen.
Earnhardt, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, could see the potential of iRacing in helping train future drivers and a way for the fans to connect with the sport from the very beginning.
Caruth for example came completely from iRacing, much like current NASCAR Cup star William Byron did, and now finds himself racing in the sport for real.
Earnhardt loves mixing it up with the younger talent, and that was showcased in his two Xfinity Series starts in 2023. Now he gets to do it in the virtual world.
This should be a fun race to watch, and is worth tuning into, especially with Dale Jr in the field. It airs beginning at 6 p.m. ET on eNascar.com.
