Defending series champion Steven Wilson opened the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series playoffs with a win on Tuesday at a virtual Texas Motor Speedway.

The result assures Wilson of a spot in the Championship 4 when the series finale is contested in person at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte on Oct. 1.

The last driver to win series championships in consecutive years was Ray Alfalla in 2011 and 2012.

Wilson’s three challengers will be determined on Sept. 10 at a virtual Phoenix Raceway. The decisive battle will be held at a virtual Homestead Miami Speedway.

On Tuesday, Wilson’s No. 10 Ford came in ahead 2.65 seconds ahead of Bobby Zalenski in the No. 18 Toyota. Parker White took third place in the No. 53 Chevrolet, and Tucker Minter, in the No. 97 Chevrolet, got past 33 cars to finish fourth. Zack Novak, in the No. 5 Chevrolet, claimed fifth place.

Wilson, from Iowa City, said of his victory in the caution-free race, “It looks like we took the kids to class today. That was a lot of fun. … Just really happy for 100 laps green. I was working like crazy just to try to hold everybody off. …

“Once we got in a lead, we were just setting sail. We hit it really good on the setup. We were really fast … and we could run any lane on the racetrack.”

Zalenski, from Fresno, Calif., sits second in the point standings following his runner-up finish.

“I just wish the guy behind the wheel was a little better tonight,” Zalenski said. “I drove well to get second. … Second, I guess, is probably the best we could have done today.”

The playoff standings have Wilson ahead of Zalenski, Vicente Salas (No. 11 Toyota) and Minter in the crucial top four positions. Garrett Lowe, in the No. 89 Ford, sits in fifth.

–Field Level Media