Denny Hamlin attributed his victory -- in part -- to racing video games. Credit: Autostock

Trend: On-track success tethered to sim racing?

It's not surprising that NASCAR fans play racing video games to get a feel for what it's like behind the wheel of a stock car.

What is surprising is that NASCAR drivers do the same thing -- for the same reason.

Consider Denny Hamlin, who scored his first Nextel Cup win at Pocono. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Hamlin is one of the best at sim racing.

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"Well, when I raced Denny he's really, really hard to beat, to be honest with you," Junior said. "It's not often that I do outrun him in video games. He's a talent.

"He's kind of one of those guys who comes out on the good end. He's got a lot of common sense and he really enjoys what he does."

However, Earnhardt and Hamlin have to tip their caps to a virtual racer from the west coast named Kevin, who may be the best of the bunch.

"Kevin's the best. Denny's right up there with Kevin," Earnhardt said. "I try to jump in there and race when they race, but I don't really practice and test like they do.

"So when I get out there, I'm normally not as acclimated to the track as they are, so I try not to cause too much trouble. If I finish in the top 10, I'm pretty happy. It's a lot of fun, though."

Jeff Gordon agreed. He used a computer setup to prepare for his opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car at Indianapolis a few years ago.

"I've never gone online and raced or anything like that, but I love video games, especially racing video games," Gordon said. "I need to stay away from racing video games because I feel like I do it for real every weekend, but I did do that to get ready for that Indianapolis F-1 ride."

Gordon said the amazing thing about today's computer technology is how close to the actual thing they have become.

"The technology is pretty incredible with the visual effects of video games these days. It's so real," Gordon said. "You get into a video game and it's 'Wow, that is exactly how the track looks. That's exactly what the transition is as you turn in.' "

Gordon said the biggest difference is not having the sensation of being inside the car.

"The braking zones change and a few thing are different with the way the car handles, but you don't feel as many of the bumps and the grip level. It definitely can put a jumpstart in things."

However, drivers like Kasey Kahne and Jeff Burton don't share the same enthusiasm for video games.

"I've really never liked playing video games and probably never will," Kahne said. "Maybe when I have kids or something, I'll get them playing video games and I'll get more involved.

"I just never have been able to do it. My fingers don't work good enough on those little remotes."

Burton's biggest problem is that he's not even the best video game player in his family.

"My 5-year-old can beat me, so if my 5-year-old can beat me, then how good am I, really?" Burton asked. "I don't have the highest-tech technology to get an advantage by playing a video game."

For Earnhardt, playing online isn't just a game.

"It does help. It helps me, it helps Denny," Junior said. "We wouldn't be joking about that. That's a hobby of mine I feel very strongly about, and I wouldn't say it didn't help me if I wasn't serious about it."