• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Tune in on Dec. 11 at 1:05 p.m. ET for our last Future of Sports virtual summit of the year – Future of Sports: Marketing! Register Now

How iRacing Helped William Byron Jumpstart His Career

iRacing-byron

One year after winning the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, William Byron now pilots one of the most successful rides in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series – the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. But, just how did Byron get to this point in his career? It all started with iRacing, a virtual sim racing platform.

Founded in 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry, iRacing has nearly 40,000 active subscribers and includes testimonials from drivers across a variety of types of motorsports, including NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt Jr., NHRA Funny Car champion Ron Capps and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner Will Power.

Byron first began using iRacing as a teenager and has advanced to NASCAR’s top ranks.

“I got started with iRacing when I was 13,” said the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rookie. “It was new to the NASCAR landscape and gave me a chance to have fun and learn how to drive. I’d never driven anything before, so iRacing gave me that entry into racing.”

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

In his first two iRacing seasons – 2011 and 2012 – he competed in 683 races, winning 104 (15 percent) with 203 top-fives.

Byron’s success on iRacing helped his family realize that the investment into racing was one that was worthwhile. And, it helped calm his mother’s fears that he wouldn’t get killed.

After watching his success on the platform, Byron’s family moved him into Legends racing, where he quickly had success. From there, doors opened up for Byron to get into the ranks of NASCAR.

Byron ran three NASCAR events in 2015 – a pair of K&N Pro Series East races and one Camping World Truck Series race. From there, success came quickly.

“iRacing really helped me get up to speed (on an actual track) and learn how to get more speed in the car,” Byron said. “It allowed others to see that I had the ability to drive. I was incredibly green for years, so it also gave me a huge confidence boost that I had the talent to succeed.”

In 2016, his lone full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Byron won seven events before moving to the Xfinity Series last season. In 2017, Byron captured four Xfinity Series checkered flags en route to the championship.

“iRacing really opened doors for me,” Byron said. “Now, it has helped open doors for other racers through the new youth league and iRacing initiatives. With iRacing, kids have a chance to get more publicity and experience behind the wheel. If they enjoy it, not only will the sport have a chance to find not only the next generation of drivers but fans as well.”

Although Byron is a recent success story, he believes that he won’t be the last. The eNASCAR Ignite Series, which kicked off in June, features participants ranging in age from 13-16 and will last for 12 weeks. The top 50 racers advance to the four-week playoffs, with 30 making it to the winner-take-all championship race at Martinsville Speedway.

“With iRacing, you have to work hard and understand how competitive it is,” mentioned Byron. “iRacing gave me the chance to drive and follow my dream. It led to me getting around the right people and getting to where I am now. iRacing is also huge for networking when it comes to meeting other racers and sponsorship.”

As eSports continue to make headway, Byron knows that iRacing can play a pivotal role in shaping NASCAR, not only to find new drivers, but also data and technology.

“It already has started to shape our sport,” Byron said. “We use simulators to race and collect data before heading to a racetrack. Eventually, we’ll be able to use data to find out who the best driver is based on scoring and technology.

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

“iRacing has taken off and really opened a lot of doors for different racers. It’s one of the most realistic sim racing platforms out there and will continue to get better and better as the graphics and motion improve. It really helped jumpstart my career.”

Will the next generation Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series superstar have a background that stems from extensive success on iRacing? Only time will tell.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 22, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs center Sedona Prince (13) talks to media during Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center.

Athletes in Landmark House Case Ask for College Players’ Association

Plaintiffs in the House v. NCAA case want more than just revenue-sharing.
Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.

Featured Today

Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
November 30, 2024

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.
November 29, 2024

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 29, 2024

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand Says It Will Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

“Backyard Baseball” was a turn-of-the-century computer hit. 
July 24, 2024

The Perfect Storm Propelling ‘EA Sports College Football’ to Early Success

Growing fandom and a long wait have already reaped dividends for EA.
DraftKings
August 2, 2024

DraftKings Announces Consumer Tax Starting Next Year

The company’s stock fell 5% Friday morning.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
July 20, 2024

The Road to the Return of ‘EA Sports College Football’

This summer, the biggest development in college sports is virtual.
Sponsored

TopSpin 2K25 Brings the Legends of Tennis to Your Living Room

2K sports is reviving a classic with TopSpin 2K25.
July 3, 2024

Esports Winter: NBA 2K League Hits Pause Button Amid Industry Decline

The previously high-profile esports league is now effectively on hiatus amid widespread layoffs.
June 14, 2024

IOC Proposes Holding Separate Olympics for Esports

The organization’s executive board has proposed a separate Olympics for online gaming.