eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series Race Preview: Race 9 – Coca-Cola 150 at Charlotte

NASCAR’s backyard is the destination for Tuesday night’s eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series event, the ninth of the 2023 season. The virtual Charlotte Motor Speedway will play host to the 40 best current oval iRacing drivers on the platform as they take the 1.5-mile D-shaped oval on for 100 laps of racing.

Last year, a fuel mileage and tire saving battle broke out among three drivers all desperate for a win. Malik Ray (Jim Beaver Esports) couldn’t get his No. 7 Mustang to the finish on his fuel level. Zack Novak (Rise Esports) fought against Ray for the spot, had the fuel, but lost the tire.

That gave way to Matt Bussa, at the time driving for Mode Motorsports, to come through and take the win, his first of the 2022 season. Now with William Byron Esports, can Bussa make it back-to-back in 2023? Or, will we see the oval pick up a 14th different winner in 15 races at the track?

TWO WEEKS AGO AT DARLINGTON

From wreckers to checkers, Casey Kirwan (XSET) managed to take his beaten and battered Tony Stewart throwback to Darlington victory lane two weeks ago.

It didn’t look good for the defending eNASCAR champion early on—the first incident of the night came after he, Femi Olatunbosun (Charlotte Phoenix) and Daniel Faulkingham (Joe Gibbs Racing) came together out of Turn 2. Kirwan opted to stay out and deal with the damage the entire race. His concern was more his tires.

A long run allowed Kirwan to truly test those virtual Goodyear tires out, and thankfully, they were not harmed. After the pit cycle, he moved into the top spot. A few more cautions shook up the order, but Kirwan was able to take control late once more and hold off Nick Ottinger (William Byron Esports) for his second win of 2023.

RACE 8 AT DARLINGTON – TOP 10 RESULTS

CHARLOTTE HISTORY

There is no track on the eNASCAR schedule that has seen more events than Charlotte Motor Speedway. That’s due, in part, to the fact that it was on the inaugural season’s schedule in 2010 twice. On top of that, for a few years, the series would come back in the fall for a trip around the Roval.

Due to those Roval races, Bobby Zalenski (Joe Gibbs Racing) is tied for the most wins at the track, at two, with 4-Time champion Ray Alfalla. Alfalla is the only driver to have multiple wins on the oval, the other 12 winners are all different, and Zalenski isn’t one of them.

Those winners, dating back to 2010, include Richard Towler, Brad Davies, Thomas Hazard, Nick Ottinger, Joey Brown (FGR Accel eRacing), Danny Hansen, Alex Warren, Kenny Humpe, Nickolas Shelton, Keegan Leahy (23XI Racing), Kollin Keister (eRacr), and Matt Bussa.

WHO TO WATCH FOR

Who hasn’t won at Charlotte? Michael Conti (JR Motorsports), Casey Kirwan and Steven Wilson (Stewart-Haas Racing) come to mind. Malik Ray, Zack Novak and Graham Bowlin (Charlotte Phoenix) were all in a good position last season as well.

Ray Alfalla can’t win a third one, so who could win a second? Both William Byron Esports’ drivers (Ottinger and Bussa) could do it, considering their pace as of late. Both are looking for their first wins of the season, and Charlotte could provide that opportunity. Joey Brown and Kollin Keister are looking to turn their seasons around as well.

Keegan Leahy and Bobby Zalenski could both play a factor as well. Surely, I’ve mentioned a lot of names, but that’s the nature of Charlotte in this series. Anyone and everyone can win with the right strategy.

PLAYOFF SEEDING AFTER RACE 8 AT CHARLOTTE

WHERE TO WATCH

The Countdown to Green, now sponsored by Wendy’s, starts at 8:30 p.m. EDT / 1:30 a.m. BST to bring you up to speed on everything you need to know going into the event. The racing will go green shortly after 9:00 p.m. EDT / 2:00 a.m. BST for the 100-lap event at Charlotte.

The broadcast will be available at eNASCAR.com/live or on the iRacing social channels.

2023 ENASCAR COCA-COLA IRACING SERIES SCHEDULE