RICHMOND RETURNS TO LIONHEART AFTER 3 YEAR ABSENCE

From one of the longest tracks on the calendar, to the shortest in under a week, the drivers of the Lionheart series will certainly have their versatility put to the test this week for the ButtKicker 200 from Richmond.   

The ButtKicker brand of low frequency products by the Guitammer company is the official sponsor of the Lionheart Rookie of the Year and Lionheart Retro Series P1 awards. As a result, the top rookies in both the Lionheart IndyCar Series and Lionheart Retro Series and the drivers with the most poles and wins in the Retro Series will receive their choice of either a ButtKicker Gamer2 or ButtKicker Simulation Kit.

The ButtKicker Gamer2 attaches to center post chairs to provide gamers with immersive, realistic, tactile feedback. From racing and flying sims to shooters, the Gamer2 cranks out 90 watts of power into the chair, without disrupting the room with loud rumbles. The ButtKicker Simulation Kit is for gamers with a full rig without a round tubing to mount the Gamer2. Also powered by 90 watts, the Simulation Kit uses the bass (low frequency) within the game to deliver accurate gear shifts, crashes, flaps, turbulence, acceleration and more. “Guitammers’ ButtKicker line offers unique products that really bring the sim racing experience to the next level,” Anzaldo said. “Lionheart strives to bring a pair of realistic racing series to the sim world, and ButtKicker products allow sim racers to feel more immersed than ever before.” Lionheart drivers and viewers of race broadcasts will also receive 20 percent off their orders with the promo code LION20, valid through the end of the year.

Last time out at Spa, it was pure domination from Adam Blocker, who led every lap from pole on his way to victory. Andrew Kinsella pulled out an improbable 2nd place with a last lap pass of Stephen Laarkamp around the outside of Les Combes. The two battled the entire last lap and drag raced out of the final chicane with Canadian piping the rookie by a scant 0.02 seconds. Michael Goodman and Dan Geren rounded out the top 5. The start of the race was marred by several check-ups and collisions that saw some contenders take damage and others retire completely. Justin Weaver, Dan Geren, James Krahula, Brian Yaczik, and Jorge Anzaldo were just a few of the drivers who had their races effected.

The Points battle couldn’t be closer with 11 races remaining in the season.  Kinsella and Blocker are tied on points when drop races are considered. In other words, from here there can be no quarter given between the teammates as they roar to the end of the season.

Brian Yaczik, after a devastating DNF at spa continues to hold on to P3 in the standings.  The Michigan driver has lost a lot of ground to Blocker and Kinsella, sitting 88 points back when drop weeks are considered. Yaczik has 3 wins on the season, however his results of late have tailed off, and where he was once Kinsella’s primary challenger for the title, Yaczik must now cast a wary eye over his shoulder at Goodman, Geren, and rookie sensation Laarkamp.

The biggest mover after Spa would be Michael Goodman who gained 3 positions in the standings and now sits P6 overall. Goodman has had another of his trademark quietly consistent seasons to date, although I am sure that the New York driver would love to add a win before the season is out.

Samuel Reiman, coming off an impressive top 10 at Spa, moves up to P15.  The GSRC announcer has shown some real talent this season and could potentially break into the top 10 before the season is over.

Ron Hacker leads the Iron Man Standings with 2,798.61 miles and 1,539 laps completed this season, Mercer sits behind Hacker by 50 miles.  The cleanest driver standings is a tossup between Laarkamp and Krahula.  Laarkamp has one missed race on the season and sits with 23 incs on the year.  Krahula who has completed every race has a total of 28 across 14 rounds. 
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The Buttkicker 200 will be live once again on GSRC through the iRacing Esports Network and iRacing Live this Wednesday at 10:35pm Eastern. Be there for all the exciting action from Richmond!