The ongoing pandemic has prompted motorsports to shift gears, transitioning to virtual races in response to COVID-19.
Over the weekend, William Byron emerged victorious at Nascar’s iRacing competition, held on a virtual rendition of the Bristol Motor Speedway. This track was initially slated to host the upcoming race prior to the enforcement of lockdown measures.
Many drivers also assumed roles as online content creators, showcasing their race participation through streaming platforms for their fans. Amidst the excitement, online drama ensued when Bubba Wallace unexpectedly exited the race following a clash with Cling Bowyer, sparking debates on the credibility of iRacing as a motorsports substitute.
“My social media notifications are blowing up,” Wallace shared on Twitter in response to fan backlash. “I ruined the day for many by quitting… a mere video game… Haha. Just a video game. The lockdown struggles are real.”
Jimmie Johnson, a Nascar legend, encountered an early crash within 20 laps after receiving inaccurate clearance information. Erik Jones faced technical difficulties preventing him from qualifying, while Daniel Suarez and Kyle Larson found themselves sidelined for an on-track altercation.
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