Hamlin mysteriously left the eNASCAR event at Talladega Superspeedway as a million fans were tuned in; Now, we see why…
On Sunday, the eNASCAR Pro Invitational dropped the green flag at Talladega Superspeedway. It’s the fifth race on the online racing division featuring real-world NASCAR stars.
On week one, drivers struggled to get a handle on the online racing system. Now, many are putting practice hours in, throughout the week leading up to the event.
Longtime sim racer, Denny Hamlin, came out with a bang. He door to a door banging victory after a battle with Dale Earnhardt Jr in the first event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Now, the digital races are a pretty big deal. Millions of NASCAR have have tuned in to watch the LIVE action on network television.
On to Talladega… Hamloin had issues out of the gate. He was attempting to connect software to his computer ahead of the event. As he did that, he missed qualifying.
“It all started when I missed qualifying while trying to login to Teamspeak. My fault. Got in the back of the pack.”
Hamlin would start toward the back of the 39 car field on the 2.5-mile oval. All the accidents were set to be ahead of the #11 car.
The incidents found him. As the field checked up in the draft, Hamlin was a victim of the accordion effect.
“Erik [Jones] sideswiped us and knocked us through the grass. Then, we were going through the pack again. I think Eric hit somebody else, knocked him into me.”
“Knocked me a lap down. Got some damage. But, I still saved the fast repair.”
Note: Drivers were allowed one fast repair in the event. Regardless of damage, a pit road setting would repair all damage. They could use it only once.
He found a spot in line and was riding out the storm. However, Hamlin left the event, mid run.
The NASCAR driver was mysteriously parked sideways on the pit lane, just as drivers were beginning a green flag pit stop cycle. Soon after, Hamlin was booted from the session by officials.
Denny Hamlin’s daughter turns off the tv
After the race, Hamlin informed the fans on what happened…
“I’m mad. I’m pissed off. But, they’re just kids,” Hamlin open in the social media video as he shook his head.
Denny Hamlin has a seven year old daughter who shares the living room with the iRacing rig.
“We have live footage of my daughter coming in, with a Samsung remote, hits the power button and cuts my monitors off while I’m racing.”
Taylor James Hamlin walked away the scene with an, ‘Uh oh.”
“That was unfortunate,” Hamlin continued. “But, my daughter came in with a remote and essentially ended our day. That’s something you just don’t hear every day folks.”
Hamlin was officially credited with 39th of 39 in the eNASCAR event.
Denny Hamlin’s daughter turns off iRacing
The following week at Dover, Hamlin put a preventative measure in place…
Links
Denny Hamlin | NASCAR | eNASCAR | iRacing | Talladega Superspeedway
Related
Denny Hamlin vs John Hunter Nemechek at Dover International Speedway (Video)
Dale Earnhardt Jr praises Clint Bowyer as he leads; Clint blows up just seconds later! (Video)
NASCAR iRacing Results: April 26, 2020 – Talladega Superspeedway
Keelan Harvick to compete in eNASCAR Pro Invitational at Talladega