

Tony Kanaan’s long walk to the starting grid began in his kitchen. It took him through the foyer, past the trophy case, and up the stairs. He headed down the hallway, across the master bedroom and bathroom, before he arrived at his destination––the closet. That’s where the former Indianapolis 500 winner joined a virtual IndyCar race. Kanaan spent the entire day iRacing on a simulator in his closet. (That’s the only place in the house where his wife tolerates his rig.) Two virtual races later, Kanaan joined the first of a six-week series launched to give cooped up IndyCar fans content to cheer for during the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 caused the racing season to screech to a halt. IndyCar suspended the start of its season just 48 hours before its highly anticipated season opener. The Indianapolis 500 was postponed until August. NASCAR, IndyCar, and other 2020 racing series traded packed stadiums for screens. Racing went virtual. NASCAR’s first iRace was the most-watched televised esports event of all time. It garnered more than 900,000 viewers. The second NASCAR iRace took place on an exact replica of the Texas Motor Speedway with Fox Sports’ Mike Joy and Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon as commentators. Driver Timmy Hill clinched the checkered flag.
Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson made his own iRacing debut at an IndyCar virtual race. Sage Karam won that race, with no prior experience on the race’s virtual Watkins Glen International Speedway track. Felix Rosenqvist, last year’s IndyCar top rookie, secured second place behind Karam.
IRacing rigs are helpful tools to keep drivers’ skills sharp off the track. Drivers representing a wide range of talents join virtual races. Younger drivers use iRacing as a training tool. But many veteran racers are still relatively new to the gaming rage.
Simulators vary in price and complexity. Advanced rigs equipped with motion sensors can cost around $40,000, but simple setups like a wheel and computer at a desk are less expensive while still competitive. Drivers race on simulators from their bedrooms, basements, garages, living rooms, and even closets.
The iRacing platform imitates real world cars, tracks, and racing events. Virtual racetracks are exact copies of real NASCAR tracks. Lasers scan the real tracks to capture onscreen their bumps and imperfections in the asphalt. Stadium billboards, pit lanes, and grandstands are also replicated flawlessly.
It may be a while before track grandstands fill with people again. Until then, virtual racing is a great way to keep fans connected with a favorite sport.
1st comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is Caro
My grandpa USED to be a racer, but I can't imagine him doing this EVER.. (Maybe watching it ) :)
That's really cool! I think
That's really cool! I think it's great that racers are still staying in shape throughout this pandemic.
This is really neat! That
This is really neat! That would be funny to "race" in your closet, but the guy looks pretty serious! Also, does anyone know what NASCAR stands for???
@Caro: That is so cool he used to be a racer!
That is so cool!!
I think I saw a you tuber with one of those. I don't remember what his you tube name was but it was so cool I saw a clutch, a gear shaft and buttons or something in the center console
That is really cool!
I wonder if they could do that with a Star Wars ship, like an X-wing, a TIE fighter, or
The Millennium falcon!
(Of course I had to bring up Star Wars!)
:-)
Riley D
NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
That looks really fun! Plus,
That looks really fun! Plus, you don't get hurt if you crash! I found it funny that Mr. Kanaan's wife would only allow him to race in his closet! Lol.
@Lauren H
me too:->)
@Treion H
Thanks for explaining!!! :)
@ Eilise
Have watched all of the Star Wars episodes? I have. I like them a lot! And it would be sooooo cool if they could make something like this with Star Wars space ships! And yes! The Millennium Falcon! That would be great!
WOW
Everything is going virtual now days. Anyway, this is really cool! That guys looks so serious it is almost scary. lol
cool
Everything is going virtual even racing! I wish everything would stay non virtual.
@ Mirela J
Yes, I have watched all the Star Wars episodes. Actually, my family rewatched Episode IX the other day! It's really funny
@Mirela
We don't do Star Wars, but I have a friend who LOVES them!!!!!!
i agree
i totally agree w/ Lauren H.
@Kara
I watched episode 9 once when it came out but I haven't re watched it. Have you watched Solo and Rogue 1?
@mirela
I have watched all of them to except Rouge 1. I like star wars too. Who is your favorite character?
Mirela J
I've rewatched Star Wars 9 once and also seen Rogue One once.
@Ian
Sorry i didn't see your comment until now! My favourite character is Luke Skywalker i think. Whos yours?
H e e H e e
@ Mirela J
I have watched all the Star Wars movies. I have also watched all the Mandalorian episodes so far and me and my dad are on season 2 of clone wars.
@Caro (CAROANDTOMMY)
It's soooo cool your grandfather used to be a racer! I don't have a grandfather because he got hurt before I was born and so my dads mom (my grandmother) left my dad with his grandparents (my great grandparents) and went to help my grandfather. So I do have them but my dad only knew them a few years of his life and I never knew them. So I call my great grandfather my grandfather even though he is my great grandfather. He passed away but he lived to be 96. He actually served in a war! his leg got bombed off but he was always happy. I have a great grandmother (on my other side of my family) who is 102!!! Sorry this is pretty long and a bit confusing *^*
:) :) :) :)
THAT'S SO COOL! I'm glad people can still enjoy racing. It's cool because even if It's raining, snowing, to hot, or to cold people can still race.
WEIRD!
This reminds me of Ready Player One.
Cool!
This would be SO much fun to have!
STAR WARS
There should definitely be a Star Wars simulator. I have seen all of the Star Wars movies, Mandolorian episodes, and all the episodes of Star Wars: Resistance.
This is Mylee
I have seen all Star Wars and season 1 mandalorin I felt kinda uncomfortable with the demonic people and haven’t watched season 2 .Star Wars has a lot of bad stuff in it so I am done watching it. So many bad words and the new one had gay in it. I am glad this guy gets to race it’s like playing a video game lol. This dude looks like my teacher except I know it’s not lol.
Alright
Alright we all LOVE star wars but can we agree that the prequels are trash? I mean all movies are pretty good and I love The Mandalorian (mostly because of baby Yoda) but can we agree that the prequels are bad? If you do like them i'm not meaning to be rude but i have a VERY strong opinion on this ....
@Mylee
BTW we don't judge you or at least i don't. Star wars makes you uncomfortable and to be honest the only reason i am comfortable with this is i'm in public middle school and i kinda have all of what you mentioned except the demonic things x10. But don't judge you at all! really i started watching star wars when i was 8 and trust me, I wasn't blown away with the movie at all, I was blown away with the language and how my parents were letting me watch it lol!
Cool
Racing simulators look kinda awesome
Whoa!!!
That looks like a video game, no really!!