Each week we feature a sit down with one of the rookie drivers from the Developmental series. This week we get to know more about the driver of the #846 Dave Peplinski

Dane – How long have you been on iracing? Or other sims?

Dave – I’ve been on iRacing since 2017, after being urged to move to it years and years earlier. Took a break after getting out of rookies – which I found stressful – and came back renewed in 2019. In terms of other sims, I’m and old guy, the first “sim” I played was Papyrus’ Indianapolis 500 in 1990. That game had the best crashes.

Dane – What is your preferred type of racing or do you have a specialty? What type of racing do you generally watch?

Dave – I’m equally mediocre in all disciplines. I like dirt oval a lot, but feel the track and physics modelling in iRacing needs some development so I’ve stepped away from that for a while. I’ve done a lot of short track asphalt ovals, so maybe that’s a speciality? I inherited a late model league this year and I’m putting together a schedule for 2022. I think I’ve done the most laps in a late model on short tracks. In terms of racing I watch, I watch a lot of dirt track on Flosports (Gateway dirt nationals this week), V8 supercars from Australia (Bathurst 1000 this week), GT3. Also a huge cycling fan, currently watching the World Cyclocross races on sunday mornings.

Dane – How did you find Core?

Dave – I forget where I saw the advertisement, but the “all disciplines, all cars, all tracks” aspect appealed to me and my ADHD. Limiting myself to one car, one discipline for an entire season gets boring.

Dane – The D series schedule is all over the place, what races are you looking forward to/ wary of.

Dave – Well, the SRF was an unknown and so I was wary of that car – that’s behind us now. This is my second season in the D-series, after I missed a big chunk of last season. For last season, the Pro2lite on rallycross was an unknown, but I ended up getting my D license while practicing. I’m looking forward to the dirt oval races, and the asphalt Legends at Thompson.

Dane – Follow up to that… is there a premiere race you want to for sure qualify for, something you think would be super fun.

Dave – I was looking ahead to the 358s at Weedsport, my favorite dirt oval car…unfortunately I’m travelling that week between Christmas and New Years and won’t be able to race.

Dane – Is there something you’re looking to take away from the series in terms of development?

Dave – Consistency. I’m the guy who lets his attention wander and spins from the lead. Need to be able to drive without self-induced mistakes.

Dane– Prediction. If your going to win a race this season, what one is it going to be, where do you think you will land by seasons end.

Dave – Don’t think I’ll win any, actually. There’s some specialists in our group. Instead, I’m hoping for consistent high finishes and eligibility for the premier series. If that doesn’t happen, I won’t be upset doing another D-series, as I enjoy the races. Might even bring my brother along next time.