eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series Race Preview: Daytona
February 12th, 2024 by Justin Melillo
The first points-paying race of the 2024 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series season is scheduled for this Tuesday night, once again at Daytona International Speedway.
The 40 top eNASCAR drivers are set to take on the 2.5-mile oval for 80 laps, all looking to add their name to an illustrious list of drivers that have won at the famed superspeedway. Only four-time champion Ray Alfalla has done it more than once, but other past winners include Nick Ottinger, Keegan Leahy, Bobby Zalenski, Michael Conti, and of course, defending winner Tucker Minter.
Race coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET at eNASCAR.com/live and across iRacing social media channels.
Last Race: The series was just at Daytona two weeks ago for the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series Clash, an exhibition race with matching paint schemes through the field to help tell the story of how free agency played out. On a last lap maneuver, QuikTrip Pioneers Gaming sophomore Wyatt Tinsley was able to capture victory over two familiar faces in new places, BS+COMPETITION’s Jordy Lopez and Spire Motorsport’s Malik Ray.
Last Year: In the opening round of the 2023 season, a first time winner emerged in his first career start in the series. Minter’s path to victory at Daytona had him going up against the defending series champion at the time, Casey Kirwan. Off of the final corner, Kirwan was in front, but Minter was able to get alongside. The two made contact, which sent Kirwan up and out of the way, allowing Minter to become just the fourth driver in series history to win in their debut, joining Darik Bourdeau, Nick Ottinger, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in that prestigious category.
Track Facts: Known as “The World Center of Racing”, Daytona International Speedway has a deep history in many facets of American motorsport, from NASCAR and their annual Daytona 500 to IMSA and their 24-hour battle for the Rolex 24. This track also hosts Bike Week’s Daytona 200, Daytona Supercross, Daytona KartWeek between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and a host of driving school, club, and other events. Last weekend, the Rolex 24 at Daytona traversed the 3.56-mile road course that encompasses the infield and most of the oval. For NASCAR purposes in the coming weeks, we’ll see stock cars ripping around 200 mph consistently on the 2.5-mile high banks.
Next Race: Once Daytona is in the rearview mirror, the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series will virtually travel across the country to take on Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the second round of the season. Last year, Michael Conti was able to secure the victory, his 15th and final win before retiring at season’s end.
For more information on the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, visit eNASCAR.com or iRacing.com/eNASCAR. For more information on iRacing and for special offers, visit iRacing.com.