How to bet eNASCAR: Simulation savants have edge over household names

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With the majority of sports on hiatus, it's opened the door for some creativity. After spending the first few weeks betting on the Belarusian Premier League, we turn to the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, which follows the traditional 2020 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

While certain shops are offering lines and totals on popular video games such as Madden NFL 20 and MLB The Show 20, NASCAR and iRacing have teamed up to bring racing into the fold.

Looking to dip your toes into the eNASCAR market? Here's everything you need to know:

Who races?

You'll recognize some familiar faces, including Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Chase Elliott, and Brad Keselowski, among others. Notable simulation racers such as Timmy Hill - who won the March 29 invitational at the virtual Texas Motor Speedway - and William Byron have also found a place in the series.

How do you bet on eNASCAR?

Head to theScore Bet and take a look at the field. The higher the designated price for a driver, the better the payout. For example, Byron won the Food City Showdown this past Sunday as a +500 (or 5-1) underdog, meaning a $100 bet on Byron would have paid out $500, plus the $100 that was risked.

Is there an edge?

Unlike other simulated games between only AI, as we've seen with Madden NFL or MLB The Show, there's a way to handicap a racer's true talent. And, without real cars, the iRacing software creates a level playing field for the drivers.

"It's as close as you can possibly get without the actual motion and the G-forces," Hamlin told Jeff Arnold of The New York Times. "Everything else is the same. With iRacing, you're using the exact same skill sets. It's exactly the same. It's the inputs from your brain to your feet to your hands. Everything is the same."

While Busch, Logano, and Keselowski are all household names, their true talent isn't reflected in the eNASCAR prices, as racers such as Hill, Byron, and Garrett Smithley have found success in the simulation-style events. It's more beneficial to become familiar with the best simulation drivers rather than past real-life standings.

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.