iRacing’s NASCAR 26: Everything We Know (So Far)

What’s Happening?

Last year, iRacing Studios delivered the first multi-platform NASCAR console game since 2021. But just as fast as NASCAR 25 came out, the team at iRacing began working on NASCAR 26, and fans can hardly wait to see what’s next.

• This article will feature all major stories surrounding the next NASCAR video game. When any news is released, it will be added to the article’s timeline, and the section covering that topic will be updated.
• iRacing released NASCAR 25 on XBOX Series X/S and PS5 on October 14 and PC on November 11. As of press time, there is no set release date for NASCAR 26, though, as is the tradition with some NASCAR games, a release during the Chase could be realistic.
• This article will be updated throughout the game’s development. Check the timeline and sections below for these updates.

What Do We Still Not Know?

Platforms

Platforms are less of a major concern for NASCAR 26 than they were for NASCAR 25.

For one, iRacing seems committed to releasing the game on both XBOX Series X/S and PlayStation 5 as well as Steam. That means the only real question is whether or not the Nintendo Switch 2 will get its own release, something the studio opted out of last year.

Roster

NASCAR 25 featured, by far, one of the largest real-world rosters of racers in NASCAR gaming history. So, it’s easy to suspect that NASCAR 26 could have the same, if not more, names added to the full-time and part-time lineups of each series.

Furthermore, a major question for fans following the tragic passing of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch in May 2026 is whether he will be in the game or replaced by Austin Hill in the renumbered No. 33.

Series

iRacing went above and beyond in 2025 with NASCAR 25, featuring all three NASCAR National Series with no fantasy drivers.

Better yet, they took it one step further by adding the ARCA Menards Series, giving NASCAR’s lowest nationwide touring division its first-ever official appearance in a NASCAR video game.

While there are a few levels in NASCAR left to add to the game, fans have asked for some form of Late Model division, perhaps through a deal with the CARS Tour, or for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour to join as the game’s new lowest division.

Track Lineup/Season Mode

NASCAR 25 featured almost every track from the 2025 season, with the exclusion of Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, and select ARCA Menards Series tracks.

While the studio added Portland as an online-only, single-player-only track, fans hope that, for 2026, all NASCAR National Series tracks, including new additions like Chicagoland and the San Diego Street Course, will be featured in the game.

Furthermore, fans would also like the ability to race on different tracks in different series, such as the Cup Series at Rockingham, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at North Wilkesboro, the Truck Series at Indianapolis, and ARCA at San Diego.

Adding to that last point, fans have also begged for iRacing to allow for customizable season mode schedules, giving them the chance to decide the points system, schedule, and season length, like in past NASCAR games.

Career Mode

Career mode in NASCAR 25 was a hit, though it had a few notable problems for diehard players.

While the game forced players to think smart financially, it didn’t take long for them to realize that with patience, they could jump to the Cup Series and win a championship with ease.

Fans have asked that in NASCAR 26, the difficulty of climbing the ladder be increased, as well as past NASCAR game features such as Silly Season, which would see drivers switching teams, retiring, and promotions/demotions at year’s end.

Cover Athlete/Release Format

William Byron took the “cover” of NASCAR 25, and while he was the reigning back-to-back Daytona 500 Champion, fans felt the pick was a little too on the nose.

For NASCAR 26, fans are suggesting that Denny Hamlin, or the late Kyle Busch, take the honor.

Unfortunately, the cover athlete may not matter much, as NASCAR 25 was released only in digital format. It is unclear whether there will be a physical release of NASCAR 26, as fans pressed iRacing on the decision throughout late 2025.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack is the final missing piece of NASCAR 26.

For NASCAR 25, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the charge, collecting ideas from fans, drivers, and developers for the soundtrack.

Earnhardt’s dedication paid off, as the soundtrack for NASCAR 25 was considered a hit. However, there were some changes, such as the ability to mute or skip songs.

This year, Earnhardt jumped to it immediately, asking for fan suggestions in January and following up, saying he had already chosen 19 songs and was in the process of developing a way for players to choose songs.

June 8 – Executive Confirms Title and Development Stage

During the June 8 episode of the iRacing Downshift podcast, iRacing’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Kevin Bobbitt, confirmed that the next NASCAR game will be titled “NASCAR 26.”

Bobbitt also calmed some fears among fans online about the game’s development, saying that though they have not heard a lot about NASCAR 26, the game is “well into development.”

April 2 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. Drops Update on Soundtrack

In April, Dale Earnhardt Jr., an Executive Director at iRacing in charge of the game’s soundtrack, updated fans on his progress, saying he had 19 songs selected and was working with the iRacing Studios team to help develop a tool for players to choose which songs they want to play and those they do not.

January 23 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. Begins Work on Soundtrack

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. took to X in early 2026 to ask fans for suggestions for the NASCAR 26 soundtrack.

For NASCAR 25, Earnhardt, an Executive Director at iRacing, pieced together the soundtrack by hand, taking into account his personal choices, fan suggestions, driver suggestions, and iRacing partners for a total of 28 songs.

November 14 – New Chevrolet and San Diego in NASCAR 26

Not even a month after the release of NASCAR 25, Dustin Albino of Jayski reported that the next version of the game will include the new San Diego Street Circuit at Naval Base Coronado, as well as Chevrolet’s new body style.

While the 2026 Chevrolet body is not a major departure from the 2025 body, the mention of San Diego, a track iRacing helped NASCAR design, is an exciting addition to the game.

In June, iRacing launched a version of the track for its self-titled subscription-based sim racing service, and it is expected that the iRacing scan will be used in NASCAR 26.

This article will be updated throughout 2026 as news breaks about NASCAR 26.