Sport: eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series returns with new tracks in 2022

White Sox ace Lance Lynn out four weeks with torn knee tendon

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eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series returns with new tracks in 2022 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — New tracks are set to debut in the 13th season of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series with drivers competing on virtual circuits that more closely mirror the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Six tracks make a first-time appearance on the 19-race calendar, including the much-anticipated Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which opens the season with an exhibition race Feb. 1.

“We‘re raising the bar with the most competitive virtual racing in the world and leaning into iRacing‘s technology to blur the lines between virtual and reality,” said Nick Rend, NASCAR’s managing director of gaming and esports. “The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series has grown monumentally over the past two seasons with new investments made by teams, drivers and world-class partners. This season will be no different as we anticipate more intense competition among drivers testing their clout on new and historic tracks alike.”

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The LA Coliseum virtual exhibition race will run in conjunction with the NASCAR Cup Series‘ preseason debut at the same real-life venue on Feb. 6. iRacing played a vital role in the track‘s design with NASCAR Cup Series drivers and eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series competitors simulating test runs on different setups to develop its configuration for NASCAR.

In addition to the LA Coliseum, virtual events will also debut at the newly reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Dirt Race, Dover International Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway. For the first time in its history, the series will conclude at Phoenix Raceway on Oct. 25.

Ryan Pressly, Astros agree to two-year, $30M extension

The Astros and reliever Ryan Pressly are in agreement on a two-year, $30M extension.This is the second time in Pressly’s career where he has signed an extension with the Astros while one year away from free agency. In March of 2019, the two sides agreed to a two-year extension that came with a $17.5M guarantee, covering the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, along with a $10M vesting option for 2022. Pressly needed to make 60 appearances in each of the 2020 and 2021 campaigns in order to vest the option, which he did. (In the shortened 2020 campaigns, all thresholds of this kind were prorated by 2.7, meaning Pressly’s 23 games were counted as just over 62 appearances.

“The 2022 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series season is shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet,” iRacing president Tony Gardner said. “With a refreshed schedule, led by our opening exhibition at the LA Coliseum, a track developed in iRacing, the pursuit of this year‘s championship will take some exciting new turns this year. We‘re excited to kick off the chase for one of the largest purses in sim racing, with well over $300,000 on the line, and look forward to crowning a champion in Phoenix!”

Competition will again be tight with 20 teams and 40 drivers contending for the championship. The 2021 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series champion, Keegan Leahy, returns to defend his title. Team owners including Denny Hamlin-Michael Jordan, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kansas City Chiefs player Kyle Long are securing drivers for the upcoming season. And professional esports organization Charlotte Phoenix will join the competition. Teams have begun to announce their 2022 driver lineups this week on Twitter.

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The full 2022 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series schedule is as follows*:

• Feb. 1: LA Coliseum Exhibition
• Feb. 15: Daytona International Speedway
• March 1: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
• March 15: Atlanta Motor Speedway
• March 29: Richmond Raceway
• April 12: Bristol Dirt Race
• April 26: Dover International Speedway
• May 10: Kansas Speedway
• May 24: Charlotte Motor Speedway
• May 31: World Wide Technology Raceway
• June 21: Nashville Superspeedway
• July 5: Road America
• July 19: Pocono Raceway
• Aug. 16: Watkins Glen International
• Aug. 30: Darlington Raceway
• Sept. 13: Bristol Motor Speedway^
• Sept. 27: Talladega Superspeedway^
• Oct. 11: Homestead-Miami Speedway^
• Oct. 25: Phoenix Raceway^

^Denotes Playoffs Event

*Subject to change

All races will be broadcast live on eNASCAR.com and iRacing.com/live, as well as the NASCAR and iRacing Facebook and YouTube channels. Race streams will kick off at 9 p.m. ET.

For more information on the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, visit www.eNASCAR.com. For more information on iRacing and for special offers, visit www.iracing.com.

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