eNASCAR iRACING Pro Invitational

5.9.2020
North Wilkesboro Speedway

This Week's Caterpillar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at the virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway ... Tyler Reddick will be making his first virtual start at North Wilkesboro Speedway this Saturday in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series. This will be Reddick's first time racing North Wilkesboro, virtually or otherwise, as the speedway closed in 1996 and is making its iRacing debut during this weekend's event.

Throwback Celebration ... Reddick's No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet virtual paint scheme this week, along with teammate Austin Dillon's scheme, is designed to honor Dale Earnhardt's Chevrolet from his first win at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 1986. Earnhardt went on to win a total of five races at the 0.625-mile speedway.

Caterpillar Gives Thanks ... What does it mean when someone says "thank you?" The global health crisis truly illustrates how critical many jobs are and how many of us took them for granted. While some of us are forced to isolate from home, other bravely continue to do the work, risking their health and safety to keep their communities moving forward. Medical professionals putting the rest of us ahead of their own loved ones. Folks who are part of supply chains are doing more than just stocking shelves, they're delivering inspiration. We're all feeling the uncertainty, but we're also feeling a profound sense of gratitude.

At Caterpillar, we want to say "thank you." Not just to our customers who continue to build towards a better tomorrow. But to people everywhere who are digging in, working hard and giving us hope as we struggle through. In the coming weeks, our gratitude will take many forms including ... a special "thank you" design on the Cat Racing car for the next virtual race and its eventual return to the track.

We're in a fight for the future. We're in it together. And to those of you on the front lines... "thank you." Learn more by visiting Cat.com/thanks or Caterpillar's Facebook Page.

The Crew ... From his home in North Carolina, Reddick will be competing in Saturday's eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race in a rig provided by Sim Seats. Joey Stone, who competes under the RCR eSports banner in the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, will also be spotting for Reddick during the race.

Richard Childress Racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway ... Although the NASCAR Cup Series has not competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway since 1996, Richard Childress Racing has enjoyed an illustrious history at the North Carolina-based track that includes five race wins with Dale Earnhardt.

The Format ... NASCAR, iRacing and FOX Sports are teaming up to deliver the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, a selection of simulation-style esports races that include NASCAR Cup Series drivers Austin Dillon (No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet) and Tyler Reddick (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet). The series heads to the virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway for a fixed set-up race this Saturday, May 9.

But Wait, There's More ... In addition to Saturday's eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race, RCR will compete in a special Friday night race at virtual Martinsville Speedway with our roster of NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers, including Anthony Alfredo (No. 33 Blue Otter Polarized Sunglasses Chevrolet), Myatt Snider (No. 93 TaxSlayer Chevrolet) and Kaz Grala (No. 29 HotScream Chevrolet). The race features NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series drivers competing within the iRacing platform, complete with qualifying times to set heat races and a last chance qualifier race to round out the starting lineup. Fans can watch all the action at eNASCAR.com. 

COVID-19 Relief ... Own a piece of history by participating in a recently launched auction and sale of Richard Childress' personal collection of memorabilia. All proceeds will assist COVID-19 relief efforts. Thousands of rare, hard-to-find and exclusive items from Richard Childress' 50+ years in NASCAR are up for bid or sale, including an original No. 3 Chevrolet once raced by Dale Earnhardt, complete with engine. To bid or purchase items from Childress' personal collection, visit https://www.ebay.com/str/RichardChildresscollection. Bidders interested in the Dale Earnhardt racecar should register here https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Home/OnlineMay-2020/4ac775c5-37d9-4906-800b-84478937ab2b.

Did You Know ... Richard Childress notched six top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway when he competed at the track as a driver from 1972-1981.

Interactive RCR ... For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR's corporate Twitter page - @RCRracing - along with the RCR eSports Twitter page - @RCR_eSports, the RCR NASCAR Cup Series team Twitter page - @RCRCup and the RCR NASCAR Xfinity Series team Twitter page - @RCRNXS. Information about the 16-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and on Instagram at Instagram.com/rcrracing. Visit www.RCRracing.com.

Catch the Action ... The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series at the virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway will be televised live Saturday, May 9, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on the FOX broadcast network (where available), FS1 and the FOX Sports app. Races will be available in Canada through FOX Sports Racing. Catch our Xfinity Series drivers Friday night at Martinsville Speedway at 8 p.m. ET by visiting eNASCAR.com.

TYLER REDDICK QUOTES: 

Are you excited about being one of the first to try their hand at racing virtual North Wilkesboro Speedway?

"I'm really looking forward to this Saturday's race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. That's a track I've never been to since it closed long before I started racing in NASCAR, but I've always wanted to race there. It's a track I've seen a lot of old races at and heard a lot about from other drivers, so I was excited when I heard iRacing was not only scanning the track to add it to their program, but also that we'll get to be the first people to race on it this weekend. One of the reasons I love iRacing so much is because it allows me to race at all these legendary short tracks, like North Wilkesboro. I hope one day I'll get to race there in real life, but this is a great alternative for now."