By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
Defending eNASCAR iRacing World Champion Zack Novak has a new home for the 2020 season, Richmond Raceway eSports.
Novak will join Jimmy Mullis who returns to the only eSports team to be fielded by a NASCAR sanctioned track. The defending champion will take over the virtual No. 90 Sunoco / Sim Seats Toyota Camry that was driven by Malik Ray last season.
2020 marks the third consecutive season of Richmond Raceway eSports fueled by Sunoco’s participation in the eNASCAR iRacing World Championship Series. It is also the second year that Sunoco, the exclusive fuel provider for NASCAR’s three national since 2004, will have naming rights with the team.
“We welcome 2019 eNASCAR iRacing World Championship Series champion Zack Novak and welcome back Jimmy Mullis to Richmond Raceway eSports Fueled by Sunoco. With Novak and Mullis, we now have the most talented team in the history of our eSports program,” said Richmond Raceway President Dennis Bickmeier.
“As we enter our third season as the only track competing in the eNASCAR iRacing World Championship Series, we look forward to competing against the best iRacing teams in the sport again this season. Thanks to our valued partners Sunoco and Sim Seats for supporting our involvement in competitive gaming and connecting with a new generation of fans.”
Sim Seats will also adorn Novak’s virtual Toyota Camry. The Richmond-based company enters their third year with the eSports team and is a leading choice of iRacers.
The No. 90 will have extra meaning for the Richmond-based team. Novak will honor long-time NASCAR team owner, and Richmond native, Junie Donlavey. Donlavey’s No. 90 was one of two that represented NASCAR in the 1976 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jody Ridley earned Donlavey’s only Cup victory at Dover International Speedway in 1981.
“I love the support Richmond Raceway eSports Fueled by Sunoco has for their drivers as they continue to set the standard in the eNASCAR iRacing World Championship Series,” Novak explained. “I look forward to working with the Richmond team along with my best friend and now teammate, Jimmy Mullis, as we compete together for the championship.”
The No. 46 that Mullis will pilot also has significant meaning for the Richmond Raceway team. It represents the year of the real-world track’s founding, 1946.
“Being back for my third year with Richmond Raceway eSports Fueled by Sunoco feels awesome, and it makes me hungry to get the results I know our group deserves,” said Mullis. “I feel like the chemistry we’ve had is phenomenal, and I look forward to racing with Zack (Novak) for the best season yet.”
The NiWCS enters its’ 11th season in 2020 and will begin in February with the virtual Daytona 500.