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Team Penske eSports eNASCAR Heat Pro League Race Report

Tracks:    Virtual Michigan International Speedway
                Virtual Phoenix Raceway
                Virtual Bristol Motor Speedway

Race:       Round 14/Championship Finale – NASCAR Cup Series

Date:       August 19, 2020
 

No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang – Brian Tedeschi (ShellVPower22)

Michigan Start: 26th
Michigan Finish: 26th
Laps Completed: 34/35

Phoenix Start: 18th
Phoenix Finish: 9th
Laps Completed: 45/45

Bristol Start: 22nd
Bristol Finish: 12th
Laps Completed: 80/80

Notes:

• The championship finale for the 2020 season of the eNASCAR Heat Pro League featured a dynamic, three-race format at the virtual recreations of Michigan International Speedway, Phoenix Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway. Brian Tedeschi (ShellVPower22) and seven other drivers began the night with a shot at the championship with the two lowest-finishing drivers in each of the first two races being eliminated, leaving four to race for the trophy and a $30,000 payout.
• For the first time in the two-year history of the league both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 divisions shared the same virtual racing surface using the PC edition of NASCAR Heat 5.
• Tedeschi clinched his opportunity to race for the championship thanks to a strong showing in the wild-card race in Round 13 at virtual Daytona International Speedway.
• After starting from the rear of the field at Michigan, Tedeschi fought the handling of his Ford Mustang for much of the evening and his 26th-place finish prevented him from moving to the next round to compete for the championship.
• Unfortunately for Tedeschi, the second race of the night at Phoenix did not start well for the Purdue University graduate. He improved the handling of the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang throughout the 45-lap race – utilizing two mid-race cautions to his advantage – to rebound for a ninth-place finish.
  Qualifying put Tedeschi at a disadvantage from the start at the half-mile Bristol bullring. He started the 80-lap event from the 22nd position. In a race that featured multiple cautions, Tedeschi was able to keep his Ford Mustang fairly clean and finished 12th the final race of the season.

Quote: 

“Obviously I’m disappointed with the way the championship series unfolded for the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang. I was really hoping to win another championship for Team Penske because it is such a pleasure to drive for them in the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, along with representing Shell-Pennzoil. We just missed it tonight but I’m proud that we were able to put ourselves in position to win the title by making it to the finale.”

No. 2 Wurth Ford Mustang – Corey Rothgeb (Wurth_2)

Michigan Start: 16th
Michigan Finish: 3rd
Laps Completed: 35/35

Phoenix Start: 5th
Phoenix Finish: 4th
Laps Completed: 45/45

Bristol Start: 19th
Bristol Finish: 10th
Laps Completed: 80/80

Notes:

• Corey Rothgeb (Wurth_2), despite winning earlier in the year at virtual Talladega Superspeedway, was not among the eight drivers competing for the 2020 eNASCAR Heat Pro League championship.
• But Rothgeb was still determined to finish the season on a high note. After restarting from the top spot following a caution with eight laps to go, the Wurth Ford Mustang driver nearly pulled off an upset win before settling for a third-place finish at Michigan.
• The speed in the No. 2 Wurth Ford Mustang carried over to the race at Phoenix as Rothgeb parlayed an aggressive mindset and a fifth-place starting position into a fourth-place finish, his second top-five finish of the night.
• Rothgeb started 19th in the final race of the night at Bristol with work to do to make it three top-five finishes on the night at the virtual “Last Great Colosseum.” After putting forth a valiant effort in a race that was marred by several caution periods, Rothgeb ended his evening with a respectable 10th-place finish.
• Team Penske eSports finished the year in the sixth position in the team standings.

Quote:  

"I’m really proud of the effort tonight in the three-race finale. I wish I could have been a part of the championship race but to end the season like that gives me a lot of confidence for next year. I can’t thank Wurth for coming onboard on the No. 2 Ford Mustang this season. It was great to represent them this year. It’s going to be a long offseason but that gives me plenty of time to get ready for 2021.”