NASCAR has launched an invitational Esports series to replace its postponed real-life rounds, with reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch among its confirmed drivers.
The series was initially going to run its coming rounds at Atlanta and Homestead-Miami behind closed doors, before deciding to fully postpone both events due to the coronavirus pandemic.
NASCAR ran a ‘Replacement 100’ on iRacing for the postponed Atlanta round last weekend, Ryan Blaney’s spotter Josh Williams took a remarkable victory.
This replacement Esports series will also be run on iRacing and will feature drivers from across NASCAR’s different disciplines.
Among the drivers competing will be 2020 Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and the reigning champion Busch.
45-year-old series legend Dale Earnhardt Jr, who retired as a full-time driver at the end of 2017, will also compete alongside Clint Bowyer, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell.
Drivers will also feature from its Xfinity Series and Truck Series alongside some ‘NASCAR dignitaries.’
NASCAR already has a long-running Esports series on iRacing, with its latest season boasting a prize pool of over $300,000.
“Until we have cars back on track, the entire NASCAR community has aligned to provide our passionate fans with a unique, fun and competitive experience on race day,” said NASCAR race development vice-president Ben Kennedy.
“Our long-time partners at iRacing offer an incredible product and we are excited to see how many of our best drivers will stack up in the virtual domain of competitive racing.”
The first event of the multi-round exhibition series will begin on March 22 at the virtual Homestead-Miami circuit, with details of further rounds as well as the full entry list still to be announced.