lionheart drivers prepare for first race with new aeroscreen

After a dominating performance by Sage Karam at Watkins Glen International, the drivers of the Lionheart IndyCar Series presented by First Medical Equipment switch their focus to the 1-mile oval at Phoenix. Known for having a history of producing multiple cautions in the Lionheart Series drivers will have to be at the top of their game to avoid incidents and finish with a good result.

For the first time in series history drivers will also be facing a new challenge with the recent addition of the safety aeroscreen currently in place on the real world cars. The aeroscreen, designed as a safety feature to protect the cockpit area has been adapted to the iRacing platform. Lionheart’s drivers will have to quickly adjust to the new view from the cockpit. The aeroscreen has also changed the handling and aerodynamics of the car which is something additional for the drivers to adapt to.

Dustin Wardlow is the defending race winner at Phoenix. The California native finished 0.614 seconds ahead of Karam and led 77 laps enroute to his 2nd career win in the series. Wardlow has had a slow start to this season and currently sits P34 after Homestead and Watkins Glen. A solid finish will be needed in order to start turning his championship hopes around.

LPM Thumbs Up driver Brian Yaczik in contrast to Wardlow has had a strong start to his season despite dropping one position after Round 2 and currently sits P5 overall. Yaczik won at Phoenix back in Season 6 and along with Wardlow is the only active driver to have a chance at becoming a two-time winner at Phoenix. Jonathan Goke is the only driver in Lionheart IndyCar history to have two wins after going back to back in Seasons 4 and 5.

Jason Galvin of LPM Cancer Down is looking to rebound after a tough outing at the Glen. Glavin dropped 18 positions in the standings but is looking to get his IR-18 up to the front at Phoenix as Thumbs Up Cancer Down is the presenting sponsor of the upcoming event. The Lionheart veteran will also be celebrating his 100th Lionheart career start and could possibly use this motivation to bring home a great result after the checkered flag flies in the desert.

Phoenix is not without some controversy in the Lionheart Racing Series. Taking place back in Season 3 on November 18th 2015 during the Round 14 event at Phoenix. Jason Robarge on old tires made a daring and gutsy pass on Jake Wright to take over the lead in the closing laps of the race. Robarge was on his way to victory when a damaged and slow car was driving in the middle of the track. Robarge as well as the field made evasive maneuvers however it was enough for Jake Wright to pass Robarge back in what became a photo finish. That race stands as the top 10th all-time closest finishes with Wright beating Robarge by just 0.038 Seconds.
​
The Lionheart Racing Series powered by HyperX roars into Phoenix for the Thumbs Up Cancer Down Phoenix 200 on Wednesday April 1st, 2020 Live at 10:35 p.m. EST on the iRacing eSports Network Courtesy of the Global Sim Racing Channel.