Older Adult Lives Out NASCAR Fantasy Through Esports

Twice a week, 74-year-old Jerry Weaver gets behind the wheel of his NASCAR vehicles to race around speedways worldwide. While he gets to feel the sensation of every bump on the road as he zooms past other drivers, Jerry does this all from the comfort of his home at Friendship Village Tempe senior living community.

It’s all thanks to the magic of esports, which is all the rage among millennials and Gen Z but has also found a receptive audience among some older adults.

Jerry’s specialty is iRacing, a motorsport simulation game he’s been playing for five years. His Friendship Village cottage is outfitted with a humble racing station, which includes a driver’s seat, gas pedals, a steering wheel and a screen set to mimic a windshield.

He’s part of various iRacing NASCAR leagues and enjoys the bonds he’s built with others through their shared love for competition. Being able to drive around notable tracks against people from all corners of the globe is one of Jerry’s favorite aspects of the endeavor. If lucky, some iRacers even get to race against pro NASCAR drivers who log on periodically.

During the pandemic, Jerry has found comfort in this hobby, which offers socialization during a time when isolation is on the rise for safety reasons. On its part, Friendship Village supports such meaningful avocations for its residents. In fact, seniors like Jerry who actively participate in hobbies they enjoy are happier and live longer, according to the National Institute on Aging.