Dale Jr. Comes Out of Retirement For NASCAR Pro Invitational iRacing Virtual Race at Homestead

Entering 2020, I’m not sure that there are too many people who could’ve predicted what was to come. In fact, it looks like the year is going to be one that stands out from the decade and it’s only the first year of the 20s.

As just about every major sporting event, including racing, has been canceled, some are getting creative. In order to entertain themselves and the fans alike, NASCAR drivers have decided to take to a racing simulator to get their racing in. iRacing has been touted as one of the most realistic simulators on the market. Therefore, we all get to absorb a little bit of our fix of NASCAR, even if it isn’t the real thing.

This past weekend, a wide variety of NASCAR drivers took to the virtual race track to duke it out. In addition to having a good time, this would benefit a good cause as well. Some of the more popular drivers rounding the track were Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, and Jimmie Johnson among others. Real-life commentators, Jeff Gordon and Mike Joy even got in on the event.

Via NBC Sports “Dixie Vodka will donate $10,000 to The NASCAR Foundation, which is centralizing charitable donations in the NASCAR industry to support those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

Denny Hamlin has pledged to donate $100 for every lap he leads and $5,000 if he wins the race.

Those donations will be earmarked to assist Miami-area residents. Kevin Harvick tweeted Sunday morning that the Kevin Harvick Foundation would match Hamlin’s pledge to The NASCAR Foundation. iRacing and Fox Sports each will contribute $5,000 on behalf of the winner to The NASCAR Foundation.”

So How Did the Race Go?

When it came down to the final stretch, the race would be between Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Junior appeared to have it in the bag. However, with a last-second bump, Hamlin would take home the win. It was a rather fortunate maneuver as Hamlin was one of the drivers pledging money to charity for a win.

The NASCAR iRacing Pro Invitation is scheduled for at least another five races starting next weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Stay tuned to Speed Society for the latest NASCAR developments.