On June 28, Motorsport.com reported that Motorsport Network, the parent company of Motorsport Games, was sold to GMF Capital. However, Mike Straw of Insider Gaming reported, that Motorsport Games was not a part of the sale.
This may come as a surprise or even disappointment to NASCAR gamers who are hoping for a new NASCAR game. The recent disaster that was the 2022 DLC on NASCAR Heat 5, and the lack of a new NASCAR game for 2023 puts NASCAR gaming in a tough spot.
However, Straw also reported a quote from a Motorsport Games spokesperson saying, “We continue to work with the newly acquired entity under the terms of our agreements and are excited for the future of both companies.” Straw also described the future approach as “business-as-usual.”
However, this move could still mean something for Motorsport Games. What could it mean, if anything?
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GMF Capital is a sort-of vague organization. On their website, there is only one page, and it only has one short description of the company as follows.
GMF Capital was established by Gary Fegel in 2013 as a single-family office to invest capital on behalf of himself, his family and like minded investors.
GMF Capital seeks to create outsized returns through a flexible mandate, permanent capital and an opportunistic investment approach. GMF Capital has offices in Switzerland and the USA.
gmfcapital.com
Their LinkedIn profile puts them in the investment management industry. Descriptions continue to be vague as to what the company really does, but the fact that they are in investment management is very interesting. A lot has been said regarding how Motorsport Games tends to burn through cash, and with GMF Capital’s emphasis seemingly being on smart investments, it says a lot that they seemingly did not see value in Motorsport Games.
Motorsport Games was not valued by their parent company’s new owner. That is what all of this comes down to.
This company does not have much time left to get it right. The new IndyCar game is not out yet, and NASCAR is still waiting on a new game to follow-up the failure that was NASCAR 21: Ignition.
There is nothing new seemingly coming out of this investment, and that means that nothing will change in the immediate future of Motorsport Games. That is a scary proposition for many, but it is reality.
There needs to be a seismic shift in NASCAR gaming in order for the current state of things to improve. Motorsport Network being sold was not enough for that to occur. Either Motorsport Games needs to find a way to improve their product, NASCAR needs to step-in, or Motorsport Games needs to step out.
The response to this news being that Motorsport Games will continue “Business as Usual” means that nothing will change immediately. However, the conditions surrounding this could potentially account for that seismic shift that is needed.
Maybe Motorsport Games reevaluates and begins to make major changes to make themselves more open to future investors. Maybe NASCAR sees this and uses it as a way to figure out that they need out of giving their license to Motorsport Games. This may be unlikely, but it could be possible.
The bottom line is this, more than what happened a couple of days ago needs to happen for NASCAR Gaming to change.
Following days of intense online speculation and rumors within the diecast community, Lionel, LLC has officially confirmed that it is set to be acquired by Round 2, a portfolio company of Praesidian Capital.
The two giants of the hobby and collectibles industry will eventually merge to form a new entity known as the Lionel Brands Group.
The Daily Downforce reached out to Lionel, and they confirmed Round 2’s intent to purchase the company, noting that the transaction is expected to progress over the coming weeks. The move signals a major shift in the landscape of NASCAR merchandising and diecast production, bringing together two of the most recognizable names in the business.
“We are aligned around a shared vision to build a stronger, fan-first platform that supports the brands, communities, and partners that have made each company successful,” the statement read.
For fans and collectors worried about immediate disruptions to their pre-orders or current programs, Lionel emphasized that the transition will not affect day-to-day operations in the short term.
“In the near term, it remains business as usual,” the company stated. “Our priority is maintaining continuity and supporting the programs already underway.”
Lionel, which has long held the exclusive license for NASCAR diecast, and Round 2 (known for brands like AMT, Johnny Lightning, and Racing Champions) aim to leverage their combined “strong legacies” to create new growth opportunities.
While the announcement confirms the intent to merge, specific details regarding future product lines or changes to the “Lionel Racing” brand remain under wraps. The company noted that future updates will be shared via their official social media channels as the transaction moves forward.
The statement concluded with a nod to NASCAR fans: “We’ll be in touch once we have more to share – Enjoy the race Atlanta!”
Are you a diecast collector? What do you think about this latest move? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Joe Gibbs Racing alleged that former competition director Chris Gabehart took a wide range of confidential team information regarding competitive performance data, engineering processes, financial records, and internal personnel details. But what exactly do the documents say was taken?
JGR states it is entitled to damages believed to exceed $8 million, potentially subject to enhancement, along with attorneys’ fees. The organization is also seeking multiple forms of relief, expected to exceed that amount, as well as a cease-and-desist order to prevent any use or disclosure of what it describes as trade secrets.
You can learn more about the lawsuit itself, the circumstances surrounding Gabehart’s departure, and the broader allegations in the article linked below
NASCAR isn’t nerdy enough. Not in a cringe way, not in a gimmicky way, but in a way that could quietly and organically grow the sport. After a Daytona weekend filled with spectacle and nostalgia, DJ Yee believes there’s a bigger opportunity sitting right in front of NASCAR, one that doesn’t change the racing at all but could completely change how fans engage with it.
Other leagues have turned analytics into conversation fuel. In baseball, stars like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani aren’t loud personalities, but advanced metrics tell their story anyway. NASCAR, meanwhile, has mountains of telemetry data but shares very little of it in a meaningful way. Throttle traces, brake usage, steering inputs, tire wear models, fuel efficiency ratings, clean air percentages, and even a “positions above replacement” type metric, the possibilities are endless. None of it would intrude on the racing. Casual fans could ignore it. But hardcore fans, creators, and analysts would suddenly have tools to build deeper narratives around drivers and performance.
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