JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Nationwide Series team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick, announced that its No. 7 Chevrolet, driven by Josh Wise, will race under iRacing.com colors in two events this summer in support of the online racing service's new iRacing 2.0. The service's long-awaited release will add many user enhancements and features to the iRacing's online, multi-player racing title and will once again set the bar as the premier racing simulation on the market.
Wise's No. 7 Chevrolet will don the iRacing 2.0 paint scheme in back-to-back races at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and Iowa Speedway later this summer. This is doubly significant as iRacing.com has just signed agreements with both venues to build the facilities to exacting detail within the simulation.
“We'll be releasing Iowa Speedway prior to the U.S. Cellular 250 so our members can get a taste of what Josh will be experiencing when he races the iRacing.com Nationwide car,” said iRacing.com's executive vp and producer Steve Myers. “Lucas Oil Raceway will follow later in the year as we look to round out our offerings of short tracks.”
“Our friendship with Dale Jr. and his race team goes back to the beginning of iRacing so this is a natural progression to an already well-established relationship,” said Tony Gardner, iRacing president. “Our 25,000 plus members know Dale's passion for sim racing and iRacing. So when it came time to get the word out about iRacing 2.0, we called Dale and he happily obliged.”
Gardner continues, “We're very excited about Version 2.0. Some of the great features will include the new tire model for all cars, improved drafting and more realistic downforce characteristics, Heat/Tournament racing for private leagues/sessions, and optional driver aids (ABS brakes, traction control, driving line, steering aids) for drivers looking to ease their way into the simulation, and much more.
iRacing.com has a pool of professional drivers in the service. Dale Jr., along with many other pros, provide feedback on the driving dynamics so iRacing can make the experience as real to life as possible for its members.
“I am excited that we get to go racing with iRacing this summer on the 7 car, but I have to admit I am most excited about the advancements iRacing has made with their product,” said Earnhardt Jr. “I have had a chance to drive the iRacing 2.0 physics model quite extensively and I am absolutely blown away with what they have done. I can't wait for its release this summer so I can trade some paint with the members!”
Crew Chief Tony Eury Jr., who will be calling the shots for the No. 7 iRacing.com car, also has been integral in helping iRacing with its stock car physics model. The new JR Motorsports Nationwide car is the very car iRacing scanned when building the car for the service.
Driver Wise, along with Dale Jr.'s spotter TJ Majors, are both iRacers. In fact, iRacers regularly hear the voice of Majors as their in-simulation spotter.
“This is the best online racing experience! It's second to none,” said Wise. “The tracks are as real as it gets. It's simply a blast getting out on the track with my friends for some good old-fashioned short track racing or drafting at Daytona with a full on-line field of 43 cars. I am really proud to be representing iRacing and their customers in these two races this summer.”
iRacing members can get involved with the 2.0 launch as well. iRacing is kicking off a paint scheme contest – the winner will see his or her design on Wise's car for the two midsummer races. iRacing and JR Motorsport staff will judge the submissions and choose the one that best illustrates what iRacing 2.0 is all about. For more details, click here.