Small Operation Drivers Hill and Smithley Shine in Iracing Event
4B Sunday, March 29, 2020 NASCAR The Daily Nonpareil Virtual smiles Small operation drivers Hill and Smithley shine in iRacing event By Holly Cain have to worry aboutputting scuffedtires on NascarWireService like Ido, or worry being down 250horse- power, or my carbeing 5years old. TimmyHill and GarrettSmithleydid “EverythingIwasdriving wasthe same not hoist anyvirtualtrophies at thevirtual thing DennyHamlin wonwith or Dale Earn- Homestead-Miami Speedway,but they cer- hardt Jr.finishedsecond with.” tainlyfinished Sunday’sinaugural eNAS- Both Hill andSmithleysay theyare eager- CARiRacing ProInvitational with smiles ly preparing forthe second iRacing event and asense of accomplishment. —Sundayonthe simulatedTexas Motor Normally, the twodrivers competefor Speedway, wherethe NASCAR national smaller teams in the NASCAR CupSeries, series would have been racing under normal just happytomakeraces or contend fora circumstances. top-20 showing. ButinSunday’svirtual Instead, thesport hasdeclared a“hold” race,Smithley andHillwerethe driversset- on the season, deferring to thesafetypriori- ting the pace in avirtual competition that ties of its competitorsand fans as the nation allowedthem to challengethe sport’sbig- and worldcontinue to deal with the COVID- gest names. 19 epidemic. Smithley, 27,who drivesthe No.51Rick Judging by the reaction on social media, Ware RacingChevrolet in NASCAR Cup theeNASCAR iRacing event on Sunday Seriescompetition(andiscurrently ranked went along waytowardre-engaging with 36th in the standings), wonthe pole position fans. And it provided asporting outlet for on Sundayand ranupfront formost of the both the competitorsand an audiencethat race,ultimately finishingfifth. included both rabid fans and manynew eyes Hill, 27,who drivesthe No.66Motors- Photosbythe AssociatedPress whowerechecking outthe competition in ports BusinessManagement Toyota (andis TimmyHill ranks 37th in the currentNASCARCup standings but is considered one of the essentiallythe onlytruegameintownfea- ranked 37thinthe standings), finished third.
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