Before NASCAR’s best take to the Austin, Texas-based Circuit of the Americas in real life competition for the first time ever this coming weekend, they’ll do virtual battle on iRacing on Wednesday, May 19.
The field for Round Four of the 2021 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Inviational Series at COTA has been set. Among them will be U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Jesse Iwuji after winning a third consecutive fan vote award.
Big thank you to all my supporters for voting me in again! I’ll do my best to bring you a good result. We were P19 at Talladega, P9 at Darlington, hoping for a good run at COTA on iRacing!?? @iRacing @NASCAR @CocaColaRacing @USNavy @NavalAcademy @NavyAthletics @NavyFB pic.twitter.com/vqmFM34tWn
— Jesse Iwuji (@Jesse_Iwuji) May 18, 2021
The 32-lap virtual event will be the first time many NASCAR Cup Series regulars will take to the 3.4-mile long road course in competition. The field of 40 will be looking to use the simulated experience to prepare for May 23’s 68-lap EchoPark Texas Grand Prix.
The aforementioned Iwuji will be rejoining the field and is looking to continue the momentum built after a ninth-place result in Round Three at Darlington Raceway. It was the first top 10 of his Pro Invitational career.
Instead of Live Fast Racing co-owner B.J. McLeod, Kyle Tilley will also be joining the virtual field in the No. 78 Ford only a few days before he makes his Cup debut with the same team.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. returns in his usual Pro Invitational No. 88 entry. The retired Cup star is looking to continue his top-10 streak after finishing seventh at Talladega Superspeedway and third at Darlington.
Clint Bowyer returns to iRacing competition in the No. 79 with his FOX Sports provisional after missing Darlington. He finished 20th at Talladega earlier in the season.
Timmy Hill returns once again to the series with his past-winners provisional via last year’s race at Texas Motor Speedway. He finished 11th at Darlington.
Ryan Blaney returns to iRacing competition as well after missing Darlington. As expected, he’ll be wheeling the No. 12 Team Penske entry.
2021 iRacing Pro Invitational Round 4 Entry List
The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series entry list for Wednesday at virtual Circuit of the Americas. Race is 32-laps with 2 resets. FS1: #NASCAR Race Hub at 6p ET and the race at 7p ET on Wednesday. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/JobBwe9k7c
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 18, 2021
Tomorrow’s virtual event will begin at 7 p.m. ET., with coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET. on FOX Sports 1.
About the author
Dalton Hopkins began writing for Frontstretch in April 2021. Currently, he is the lead writer for the weekly Thinkin' Out Loudcolumn, co-host of the Happy Hour podcast, and one of our lead reporters. Beforehand, he wrote for IMSA shortly after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2019. Simultaneously, he also serves as a Captain in the US Army.
Follow Dalton on Twitter @PitLaneCPT
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