This weekend IndyCar joins other racing series that are in a holding pattern by running a virtual eSports races in place of real on-track action.
The substitute series will take place within the iRacing program and will feature almost the entire current field of IndyCar drivers participating from their homes. There will be a total of six races in the virtual series, with one race taking place each Saturday through May 2.
IndyCar worked with iRacing to get updated IndyCar models programmed into the simulator, meaning the cars will be fitted with the Aeroscreen even though they have yet to be run in a true race.
In addition to the large number of current drivers taking part, a few “special guest” drivers will be in the field as well. There is no lack of talent, however, because the guests include seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and up-and-coming Indy Lights driver Kyle Kirkwood.
Tomorrow’s race will take place at Watkins Glen International, a track that IndyCar last raced in 2017. The track was chosen through online fan voting that was held throughout this past week.
Prior to the race, drivers will have a 10-minute qualifying session to set the field. The event will then consist of a 15-minute, pre-race virtual autograph session with several drivers, followed by a 45-lap race with 10 push-to-pass activations available.
Some details are still being worked out, but all cars will have identical performance and setups to promote fairness. Drivers will also be allowed to use two “fast repair” features during the race to help keep more drivers racing following the inevitable crashes that simulator racing seems to foster.
In general, the drivers participating are excited to give the fans some form of racing to enjoy during the delays in on-track action. Many of the younger drivers regularly drive simulators at their homes for fun with some having run over one thousand virtual races within iRacing.
However, some drivers, such as Tony Kanaan and Alexander Rossi, are not very big fans of online racing in general and have had to get assistance in setting up a steering wheel to be able to participate.
In an interview ahead of this weekend’s event, Kanaan said, “When IndyCar announced that they were planning on creating something to keep the drivers and fans connected through this difficult time, I went after getting a SIM setup for the house. That was last week!
“Since then, I’ve spent some time getting used to it and learning the basics to be able to participate but I’ve got to admit that the younger drivers that are used to iRacing or other types of SIM racing have a huge advantage over a guy like me that just started four days ago.
“Nonetheless, I believe that it’s a neat idea and as a driver I support the initiative of INDYCAR to go iRacing and keep creating content and interacting with the fans.”
To add to the experience, the NBC broadcasting team of Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy will be calling the action.
The event begins at 16:00 Eastern Time and will be streamed through IndyCar’s own website and their YouTube and Facebook pages as well.
