NASCAR fans are buzzing about iRacing’s 2025 Season 2 update. This update cleaned up the game’s lighting and graphics and introduced an updated model of the ARCA Menards Series cars.
When iRacing announced its Season 2 update, fans were already excited about what was in store. The team at iRacing introduced new features, including graphical updates, gameplay updates, new car models, and a new track. Several of these additions are applicable to those who typically race stock cars.
Among the items fans were excited about were “artistic overhauls” to seven NASCAR National Series tracks in the game. Combined with this updated art and graphics at each track, iRacing has introduced a new lighting system to the game that “better integrates the environment with the sky and weather conditions.”
However, NASCAR fans were perhaps most excited about the addition of the modern ARCA Menards Series car model. Prior to this, the game utilized the previous generation of ARCA cars, similar to Gen Four Cup cars. Though it may seem odd, a modern version of the ARCA car was a wish list item for many fans.
Fans slightly overlooked the updated tracks and graphics models as they rushed to hop behind the wheel of the ARCA car. However, for those who love both sim racing and in-game aesthetics, it is a treasure trove of great camera shots.
This new lighting adds depth and even more realism to the game, resulting in increasingly cinematic snapshots.
However, several NASCAR tracks received specific updates on their art and graphics. One racer even realized that you could now drive into the victory lane at Bristol Motor Speedway, to which iRacing responded by confirming that you could do so at Dover Motor Speedway as well.
However, for many fans, casual drivers, and artists, the highlight of this update is the addition of current-body-style ARCA Menards Series cars. The current body styles used by ARCA are the Gen Six style Chevrolet SS, Ford Mustang, and Toyota Camry.
While iRacing users are excited about the addition of these, it is a little odd to see everyone excited about a Camry model over a decade old.
Those focused on the racing side of iRacing seem to enjoy these cars’ driving style, while others are more focused on the cars’ potential paint schemes. Some fans have been using this to create their favorite ARCA schemes in recent years, and some are even using the new models to add a Cup Series flair to their ARCA ventures in iRacing.
Some artists quickly noticed that the cars do not have permanent OEM badging, such as Ford, Chevrolet SS, or Camry badge marks. This gives designers a chance to change the decals to those run by non-manufacturer-backed teams.
Yet, some are using this as a chance to add non-NASCAR traditional OEM paint schemes to the game.
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