CONCORD, N.C. -- Greg Ives’ job description has changed a bit since NASCAR switched to the virtual track with weekly iRacing events.
As the crew chief for Alex Bowman, Ives is working from home instead of a pit box and has been talking with the No. 88 team over the phone and through messaging. Communicating regularly is key in keeping the team focused, according to Ives.
That focus now is on Bowman doing well with iRacing. While the simulated races don’t count toward the NASCAR season, it’s become a way for drivers to remain engaged in the sport. The second iRacing event, which was broadcast on FOX last Sunday, drew in 1.4 million viewers, for example.
It also allows drivers, crew chiefs and the rest of the teams to communicate with fans.
"For me, being able to engage (with fans) during a race isn’t really possible," Ives said. "… I realized, hey, I can be like a Bob Pockrass (FOX journalist) and go on Twitter and be interactive with the fans and what’s going on there. Like I said, it’s not often I can do that because you’re focused on a job in the (pit) box … it was definitely a new side for me. I’m not that outspoken celebrity figure that some of the guys on pit road are."
Despite not having much iRacing experience, Bowman has done well for himself inside the rig. The first week saw him place sixth at Homestead and he placed fifth at Texas Motor Speedway.
"I’m not afraid of trying to put a lot of time and effort into trying to run better," Bowman said. "But at the same time, I’m not going to take it super seriously. … Just trying to manage expectations and have fun at it, regardless. (I’m) more worried about enjoying it."
According to Ives, he is the one who is a little too passionate at times. However, that balances out his dynamic with Bowman.
"He and I are kind of opposites on attention span and I would say our personalities at times, but he and I both have a dry sense of humor … I think that compliments each other pretty well," Ives said. "Sometimes I take things a little too seriously and sometimes he takes things a little too light, but I think that kind of works together. It helps us grow when things do become difficult and I think we’re having some fun along the way."
Humor aside, Ives said iRacing has been nothing but beneficial for the racing community. Not only does it allow drivers and fans to focus on the sport, but it’s pulling some drivers out of their comfort zones and bringing a new dynamic to the NASCAR field.
Ives added that since he doesn’t have much of an iRacing background, he’s had to adjust his mindset with the simulator because his role has become more supportive than instructive.
"I definitely feel like it’s more about accepting the environment. Accepting the fact that this is what we have to race and going out there and trying to do our best," he said. "There’s not really much I can do for (Bowman) other than keep him motivated in a sense that if he doesn’t do a great job – he’s always hard on himself a little bit, like 'Oh, I’m not going to do too well' then he goes out there and does great.
"You’d rather have him be a little bit critical of himself rather than a little bit too confident and then get disappointed that way. More or less, just trying to get him to accept the fact that this is what our lives are going to have to be for a while and you got to make the most of it."
With organized sports shut down for the foreseeable future, Ives said this is a scenario that has made a tough situation into something bearable and fun for the drivers, fans and sports fanatics alike.
The social engagement, commentary from analysts and the drivers competing hard have helped with that.
"I think everyone at FOX, everyone at iRacing, everyone throughout the industry is doing a good job of doing what we could with what we have and putting on an entertaining race and provide content for our fans to help them through what we’re all going through," he said.