ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – William Byron swept a pair of 35-lap races Monday at virtual Rockingham Speedway to advance to Thursday’s finale of the NBC eSports Short Track iRacing Challenge.
Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch also advanced to the finale, which will take place Thursday at virtual Martinsville Speedway, after earning a Peacock Provisional from NASCAR on NBC analyst Steve Letarte.
Six drivers took part in Monday’s two races, with Byron, Busch, Bubba Wallace, Parker Kligerman, Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick battling to transfer to Thursday’s title race.
Byron had already advanced to Thursday’s finale by winning the first 35-lap heat from the pole, but he completed the sweep by using a bump-and-run move on Parker Kligerman on the final lap of the second heat.
The second round of the NBC eSports Short Track iRacing Challenge takes place Tuesday at virtual Lucas Oil Raceway at 7 p.m. on NBCSN. Justin Allgaier, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Harrison Burton, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson will battle for two transfer spots to Thursday’s finale.