RICHMOND, Va. – Sunoco has renewed its partnership with Richmond Raceway’s esports program, which will continue to be named Richmond Raceway eSports fueled by Sunoco.
In addition, the Sunoco brand will serve as the primary sponsor of defending eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series champion Zack Novak’s No. 90 Sunoco/Sim Seats Toyota Camry.
“Sunoco is a partner that is driving genuine value to our esports program and supports our mission of connecting with the next generation of race fans,” said Richmond Raceway President Dennis Bickmeier. “We look forward to our continued partnership to support the next phase of growth for esports in NASCAR.”
“Our relationship with Richmond Raceway eSports has provided a program where Sunoco can speak directly to a growing segment of the fan base,” added Michael Barrows, Senior Specialist of Motorsports Marketing for Sunoco. “This is a platform that allows us to take our powerful NASCAR and Richmond Raceway partnerships, and reach out to new fans and Sunoco consumers.”
Richmond Raceway eSports fueled by Sunoco returns this season for its third consecutive campaign in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series.
Novak moves over from Roush Fenway Racing to drive the No. 90 Sunoco/Sim Seats Toyota Camry for Richmond Raceway eSports fueled by Sunoco.
He debuted for the RReS team in the non-points Coca-Cola Clash at the virtual Daytona Int’l Speedway Wednesday night, finishing fourth after snaking his way through a last-lap crash in turn three at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.
The Connecticut native won last year’s eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series championship on the strength of four victories, including a win over title rival Keegan Leahy in the season finale at the virtual Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
In three seasons competing in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, Novak has a career line of six wins and 17 top fives, with 816 laps led.
Novak also won the 2018 eNASCAR Ignite Series championship, highlighting racers ages 17 and under.
The No. 90 Sunoco/Sim Seats Toyota Camry honors the late Junie Donlavey, a Richmond native and long-time NASCAR team owner.
Donlavey’s team took its lone NASCAR Cup Series victory with Jody Ridley at Dover Int’l Speedway in 1981, leading the final 20 laps after a late pass of Cale Yarborough.
Led by Donlavey, the No. 90 team also represented NASCAR in the 1976 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Now, Novak takes his turn with the historic number as he seeks to successfully defend his eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series championship and become just the second multi-time titlist in the series’ 11-year history.
“I am proud to drive the No. 90 Sunoco/Sim Seats Toyota Camry this season for Richmond Raceway eSports Fueled by Sunoco,” said Novak. “Sunoco is one of the most well-known brands in NASCAR, so I am humbled to represent a company that is invested in the present and future of the sport in esports.
“I can’t wait to start the season and bring the No. 90 Sunoco Toyota Camry to victory lane.”
Sunoco, the official fuel of NASCAR since 2004, also holds the naming rights associated with all Richmond Raceway eSports activations and title sponsorship for any individual competitions that Richmond hosts in the sim-racing landscape as part of the partnership.
As such, outside the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, Sunoco will host the Richmond Raceway eSports Sunoco Series, a pair of five-race esports tournaments – totaling 20 esports races – for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on 704Games’ NASCAR Heat 4 platform.
The competitions will be held online leading up to the track’s two NASCAR weekends, on April 17-19 and Sept. 11-12, respectively.
The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series season begins Feb. 11 at the virtual Daytona Int’l Speedway.