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By Adam Carabine Welcome to the 2nd Annual Playoff Forecast project. Projections are calculated by simulating the 2022 Cup Series schedule 125,000 times, using a top-secret predictive formula that is based on 3 important factors: Driver History @ Each Track, Driver Recent Overall History, and Team Performance. We have also simulated the week's Cup Series race. Check back each week to see who's favoured to win. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @StatChatRefresh Or you can email directly: acarabine@racingrefresh.com Get all your StatChat Merch from the Racing Refresh online store!

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/NASCAR_Trucks)

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/NASCAR)

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/NASCAR)

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/DAYTONA)

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/DAYTONA)

Photo Credit to Racing Refresh Writer Crystal Clay

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/NASCAR)

NASCAR just had an incredible event at the L.A. Coliseum. The 2022 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum was an entertainment extravaganza. It was a great way to launch NASCAR into the future. For 2022, NASCAR enters a new generation, including new tracks, new teams, and new cars. Another subsection of NASCAR entering a new generation would be NASCAR gaming. After the launch of NASCAR 21: Ignition, Motorsport Games led NASCAR gaming into a new era. With so many changes happening, it has proven difficult to keep up. However, Motorsport Games has promised that using the foundation set by Ignition, NASCAR gaming will be able to move forward and give fans a fun, yet realistic experience. An overwhelming majority of NASCAR fans seemed to enjoy the 2022 Busch Light Clash as well as the L.A. Coliseum. However, those fans will not be able to experience the thrill of that track on the console without the addition of exhibition races. Could this event be the beginning of exhibition races coming back to NASCAR console gaming? Should exhibition races be brought back? What obstacles would be in the way to making this happen? I intend to answer all of those questions down below. Could the L.A. Clash be the Kickstart? The L.A. Clash could definitely be the conversation starter within Motorsport Games about bringing in exhibition races to future games. Exhibition races have been out of NASCAR console games for over seven years. Most younger players may not even remember running the Duels at Daytona or the All-Star Race at Charlotte on NASCAR '15. Developers have been able to get away with this for a few reasons. Mainly, these races are not for points. They have no value in the final standings and they do not affect who hoists the championship trophy at the end of a NASCAR season. Another reason is that the tracks that host these exhibition races are also used for points-paying NASCAR races. So the players were still able to get the experience of running on those tracks in the game. That is not the case for the L.A. Coliseum. There are no scheduled points races at this track for the foreseeable future. This means that the addition of the Clash would be necessary for fans to get to run this track on a console. What Obstacles do the Developers Face? There are a few obstacles that Motorsport Games faces with adding in Exhibition races. First, and foremost, is the lacklustre release of NASCAR '21: Ignition. It is no secret that fans were not as pleased with the launch of Ignition as Motorsport Games had hoped. The launch of Ignition was met with internal bugs and glitches which nearly made the game unplayable. After multiple patches, the game is somewhat enjoyable nearly four months later. However, a lot of issues still need to be addressed in future games before discussing exhibition races. Motorsport Games held a "Town Hall Q&A" where the team acknowledged the struggles that NASCAR '21: Ignition had. However, it is still to be seen whether these will be fixed in the coming instalments. Also, Motorsport Games is tasked with the Next-Gen car addition. The Next-Gen car is a completely new experience for the drivers of NASCAR, and to keep with that realistic goal, Motorsport Games has to put their full effort into getting those cars right in the games. Furthermore, the Clash has a different format than those point-paying races in the regular season. While perhaps not the most difficult addition, the coding to add in the differing rules for the exhibition races will be different. Should the Exhibition Races be Added? The simplest answer to this question is: Yes. Exhibition Races have been out of NASCAR games for quite some time now. Despite the difficulties potentially faced by adding them, these races are commonalities among the NASCAR schedule. Fans want to be able to experience winning an All-Star Race or a Clash. Especially with the addition of the L.A. Coliseum. This is an opportunity to add in exhibition races when they are more popular than ever. Motorsport Games should not pass up this opportunity. Despite the potential obstacles facing the team, I believe now is the time for Motorsport Games to bring back Exhibition races to the console games. The NASCAR gaming community has asked for this feature to add some realism to the seasons. Hopefully, NASCAR '22 can include this feature and the fans will get another step closer to the full NASCAR experience.

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/NASCAR)

He's the greatest professional basketball player that ever lived, responsible for taking brands like Nike to the next level, and an athletic-ware marketing machine via his Jordan Brand. Michael Jordan is a name that even people who grew up after he retired from the game know far too well. He is the name brand of basketball, but you may not know that he's had a love for motorsports that goes back to his childhood. Picture young Michael. Even then he was the tallest kid around and was never gonna fit inside of a race car. He sure did love to go fast as he got older. Jordan has purchased sleek, fast, and expensive sports cars throughout his life. Chris Webber told Dan Patrick this story about how he used a smoky cigar and a flashy car to intimidate others prior to a big game. "...we get off the bus and Juwan (Howard) is from Chicago and used to workout there. I’ll never forget, Jordan was sitting on his Ferrari and Pippen was right there and they have a cigar lit. We get off the bus and we have to pass them with a lit cigar. You want to talk about posturing? Forget Phil Jackson. You got Michael Jordan there behind the scenes smoking a cigar before the game, letting us know that he’s the Red Auerbach before the game even started. It was almost like, ‘I lit the cigar. I’m celebrating already. This is just a formality, you guys getting on the court tonight.” (BleacherReport.com) Over time we learned that MJ was more than just a devil on the court, he was competitive in all areas. As a businessman many are familiar with his ownership of the Bobcats and Wizards in the NBA, but you may not be familiar with his 10 year involvement in motorcycle racing as an owner. From 2004 to 2013, his AMA Motorscycle Circuit team ran Suzuki's and nearly competed in the famed MotoGP. The team has been wrongly identified as a failure by poorly educated fans of racing. During its tenure, they won championships in Superstock with racer Aaron Yates in 2008 and SuperSport with Corey Alexander, 2013. These feats included wins in the top tier of motorcycle racing, the Superbike class. When Michael announced that he was going to start a NASCAR Cup Series team with longtime friend Denny Hamlin and Toyota Racing, the NASCAR media world was flipped upside-down. Some fans and press handled this as the next big feat in his one-in-a-million way of living, while others thought it was a publicity stunt. NASCAR was in an era of new owners purchasing and borrowing charters due to the development of the NASCAR NextGen car set to debut in 2022. Jordan and Hamlin reiterated to the press that their driver(s) would be expected to win. Jordan's keen eye for business opportunities, exceptional wealth, and love for racing dates back to the 1970s when he went to Darlington Raceway with his father. It made him the ideal candidate to be a NASCAR owner. Too often, we see money come into the sport from men and women who know nothing about racing. His past success as an athlete in the NBA and owner in AMA Motorcycle Racing instantly allowed him to compete with the best racing has to offer. There's something even more special that helps quantify him as an icon in the motorsports community, though. Behind the scenes, he has provided jobs, stable development opportunities through his racing institute, and helped elevate famed NASCAR young-gun Darrell Wallace Jr. to major success. In the fall of 2021, Wallace became the first black man to win at NASCAR's top level since Wendell Scott in 1964. His legacy in motorsports is still being defined, but without Michael Jordan, quite literally, the history of NASCAR moving forward is altered, major headlines change, and NASCAR's continued efforts of diversity are slowed down. Michael Jordan is a true black racing icon. To learn more about writer AJ Appeal, you can follow him at Twitter.com/RacingRefresh.

Late Monday afternoon, Motorsport Games held a Town Hall style Q&A session regarding the launch of NASCAR 21: Ignition in October. Many of the NASCAR gaming community were displeased by the lack of quality within the game at launch. Motorsport Games President, Dmitry Kozko, acknowledged this at the beginning of the Q&A. After this, a series of questions that had been previously submitted to the developers were given to the team. This town hall gave fans an idea of what to expect for not only NASCAR 21: Ignition but future installments as well. What can fans expect for NASCAR '21: Ignition? Motorsport Games has not completely given up on Ignition. The game has had many bumps dating all the way back to the launch of the game. Despite these setbacks, Motorsport Games did state that the team would be working on new additions for Ignition at least through the first half of 2022. Additions such as stages and online lobby start issues should be fixed as soon as January 25th. Motorsport Games stated that the six-player minimum for private online lobbies worked best in testing, but the feature will continue to be monitored for the game and potentially adjusted. Motorsport Games did announce the Playoff DLC pack and Legend, Bobby Labonte will be released Thursday, January 27th. Some of the complaints about features in Ignition were intentional. Motorsport Games cited authenticity as the reason for the lack of Fuel and Tire Indicators as well as not allowing custom schemes in career mode. Other features such as Rearview Mirrors were held back due to "scale backs." What about future games? While the future for NASCAR 21: Ignition may look a bit bleak, there are plenty of features being considered for future NASCAR installments. After all, Motorsport Games has the licensing for NASCAR games through 2029 after their acquisition of 704. So what features are being considered for future games? First, and foremost, is the Next-Gen car. This is the primary focus for Motorsport Games concerning 2022's installment. Motorsport Games wants the Next-Gen to drive as perfectly as it can. This will mean that feeder series such as the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck series will have to wait another year. Other considered features such as League Management, Shifter support, victory celebrations, and manual pit stops are all being considered. Another feature being considered is the ability to run custom paint schemes in online lobbies. This feature is one that Motorsport Games wants to add to their games, but one that must be added carefully. Proper reporting systems will have to be implemented to avoid any offensive or obscene paint schemes from being run. Most importantly, Motorsport Games has promised to be more transparent with their community about issues. This, hopefully, is a step in the right direction in opening the lines of communication between developer and consumer. What can consumers do? A lot of consumers are feeling burnt after the poor release of NASCAR 21: Ignition. However, it is important that fans keep giving feedback to Motorsport Games. A team cannot fix what they are not aware of. The future for NASCAR gaming can still be bright. The start was slower than we had anticipated, but the foundation has been set. Motorsport Games will continue to strive for the best product to give out to fans. In turn, fans can give their feedback on what they would like to see added to the future of NASCAR gaming.

Well, the night we have been waiting for has came and went. Dale Earnhardt Jr, NASCAR's most popular driver was enshrined as one of the greatest in the sport's history. Provided courtesy of NASCAR, enjoy the entire speech from the NASCAR Hall of Fame Crown Banquet Hall. Stay tuned to Racing Refresh all season long for motorsports news and updates including links to other great content creators and motorsports media. Photo from Twitter.com/NASCARonNBC

Press Release DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2022) – New tracks are set to debut in the 13th season of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series with drivers competing on virtual circuits that more closely mirror the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Six tracks make a first-time appearance on the 19-race calendar, including the much-anticipated Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which opens the season with an exhibition race on Tuesday, February 1. “We’re raising the bar with the most competitive virtual racing in the world and leaning into iRacing’s technology to blur the lines between virtual and reality,” said Nick Rend, Managing Director of Gaming and Esports, NASCAR. “The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series has grown monumentally over the past two seasons with new investments made by teams, drivers and world-class partners. This season will be no different as we anticipate more intense competition among drivers testing their clout on new and historic tracks alike.” The L.A. Coliseum virtual exhibition race will run in conjunction with the NASCAR Cup Series’ preseason debut at the same real-life venue on Sunday, February 6. iRacing played a vital role in the track’s design with NASCAR Cup Series drivers and eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series competitors simulating test runs on different setups to develop its configuration for NASCAR. In addition to the L.A. Coliseum, virtual events will also debut at the newly reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Dirt Race, Dover International Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway. For the first time in its history, the series will conclude at Phoenix Raceway on October 25. “The 2022 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series season is shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet,” said Tony Gardner, iRacing President. “With a refreshed schedule, led by our opening exhibition at the L.A. Coliseum, a track developed in iRacing, the pursuit of this year’s championship will take some exciting new turns this year. We’re excited to kick off the chase for one of the largest purses in sim racing, with well over $300,000 on the line, and look forward to crowning a champion in Phoenix!” Competition will again be tight with 20 teams and 40 drivers contending for the championship. 2021 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series champion Keegan Leahy returns to defend his title with team owners including Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kansas City Chiefs player Kyle Long securing drivers for the upcoming season. Professional Esports organization Charlotte Phoenix will also join the competition. Teams have begun to announce their 2022 driver lineups this week on Twitter. The full 2022 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series schedule is as follows*: February 1: L.A. Coliseum Exhibition February 15: Daytona International Speedway March 1: Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 15: Atlanta Motor Speedway March 29: Richmond Raceway April 12: Bristol Dirt Race April 26: Dover International Speedway May 10: Kansas Speedway May 24: Charlotte Motor Speedway May 31: World Wide Technology Raceway June 21: Nashville Superspeedway July 5: Road America July 19: Pocono Raceway August 16: Watkins Glen International August 30: Darlington Raceway September 13: Bristol Motor Speedway^ September 27: Talladega Superspeedway^ October 11: Homestead-Miami Speedway^ October 25: Phoenix Raceway^ ^ Denotes Playoffs Event * Subject to change All races will be broadcast live on eNASCAR.com and iRacing.com/live, as well as the NASCAR and iRacing Facebook and YouTube channels. Race streams will kick off at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. For more information on the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, visit www.eNASCAR.com . For more information on iRacing and for special offers, visit www.iracing.com .

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: Two-time ARCA Menards Series winner Gus Dean (@gusdean) is returning to the ARCA Menards Series in 2022 and will join the potent Venturini Motorsports in a minimum three-race deal beginning with the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Feb. 19, 2022. A competitor in the ARCA Menards Series since 2016, the Bluffton, S.C.-native returns to the “World Center of Racing” for a sixth time focused on delivering Venturini Motorsports their fifth consecutive ARCA triumph at the 2.5-mile superspeedway aboard the No. 55 Toyota Camry. Dean scored his first career ARCA Menards Series victory in just his second start at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in 2016 but has been cursed at Daytona over a period of five previous races and is hopeful that the opportunity to “Fly the V” will prove to be the cure and deliver his third career ARCA victory. “I am very excited about this opportunity to join Venturini Motorsports at Daytona,” said Dean. “Ever since I’ve been competing at ARCA, Venturini Motorsports has proven to be a dominant fixture in the series, especially on the superspeedways. “To have the chance to pilot one of their Toyota Camrys, work closely with their dedicated and experienced crew and be surrounded by great teammates is sure to bring all the emotions of when I first joined the ARCA Menards Series. I’m just thankful to be a part of the team’s superspeedway lineup this season and look forward to putting myself in contention for the victory.” Venturini Motorsports’ Billy Venturini has been wanting to add Dean to his driver roster for years and is thankful that the opportunity presented itself for the 2022 season. “It’s great to have Gus with us,” said Venturini. “We’ve been racing with him as a competitor for years and it’s great to finally have him under our banner this year. With his experience and Venturini Motorsports' success at superspeedways, we believe have a wonderful chance at getting to Victory Lane!” Added Dean, “While we have been fierce competitors on the track, I have always had the utmost respect for Billy, Mr. Bill Venturini and the entire Venturini Motorsports team. Not having the chance right now to race in a premier series on a weekly basis, I have to make the most of any opportunity and being a part of Venturini Motorsports provides me a shot to not only have fun but hopefully that opportunity to experience the bliss and emotions of celebrating in Victory Lane again.” In addition to Daytona, Dean will return to ARCA competition with Venturini Motorsports at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April and at Michigan International Speedway in August. The 27-year-old South Carolinian is poised to have a busy 2022 season between ARCA, Late Models, Mud Truck Racing and a hopeful sporadic appearance or two in one of NASCAR’s National Series. “With no championship on the line for me this season, it’s about having fun,” sounded Dean. “Whether that’s competing with Venturini Motorsports in ARCA, DLP Motorsports in Late Model competition, or the other racing endeavors we have planned for this season. Of course, the urge to still compete full-time is there, but it takes marketing partners and a lot of financial commitment to make it happen. “Until we can hopefully put ourselves back into that position again, we’ll take the path that has been laid out before me and make the most of it. Venturini Motorsports is going for an unprecedented fifth straight ARCA victory at Daytona and I want to be that driver that gets it done for them!” Before Dean buckles in at Daytona, he will have a busy week leading up to the 2022 ARCA season opener, as he’ll also be competing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway in the highly contested World Series of Asphalt driving for DLP Motorsports. Dean will kick off his new tenure with Venturini Motorsports by competing in the open ARCA Menards Series test at Daytona on January 14 – 15, 2022. A sponsorship lineup for the Feb. 19 Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire for Dean will be announced later.