Watch today’s developer diary video as iRacing Studios discusses new features and additions coming in NASCAR’s next flagship racing title
CHELMSFORD, Mass. – July 22, 2026 – iRacing Studios and NASCAR® are excited to announce that NASCAR 26, the next entry in their racing video game franchise, is launching September 18* on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Check out today’s developer diary for a look under the hood at this year’s title, which introduces a host of improvements, including a new dynamic track feature that changes how your car handles over the course of a race weekend, cross-platform multiplayer, burnouts, new tracks, and much more.
NASCAR 26 looks to build on the success of NASCAR 25, the first standalone NASCAR console title produced by iRacing, which launched on PC and consoles last fall. This year’s game, which features NASCAR star Kyle Larson as its cover driver, once again includes all four premier NASCAR series – the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series – with real drivers from each series, along with a groundbreaking new dynamic track feature that evolves over the course of every race weekend. Players will also find an improved Career Mode, online cross-platform multiplayer, and a host of other new features and enhancements including burnouts, an improved driving model, and more features to be announced via the gameplay trailer next week.
Two editions of NASCAR 26 will be available this September, with a Standard Edition and Gold Edition coming to all platforms. More information about pricing, pre-orders, and Gold Edition content (which includes 3 days of early access starting September 15) will be released alongside the first gameplay trailer on July 29!
NASCAR 26 launches on September 18 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. For more information, visit https://nascar26.com, and follow along on Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram.
*Gold Edition owners will receive 3 days early access starting September 15.
About iRacing
The world leader in the online racing simulation and gaming market, iRacing was founded in 2003 by Dave Kaemmer, co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, and John Henry, principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club and co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing. iRacing has developed dozens of formal partnerships in the motorsport industry to help create the most authentic racing simulation in the world, including with NASCAR, INDYCAR, the FIA, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, and numerous other car manufacturers, tracks, and racing series. Alongside its PC simulation, iRacing also produces the official console games of NASCAR (starting with NASCAR 25) and the World of Outlaws, as well as the fantasy off-road racing game ExoCross. Learn more at www.iracing.com.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
The game is licensed through NASCAR Team Properties, which is a NASCAR industry managed organization created to promote efficiency and operational structure for the sport’s licensed merchandise business. NTP comprises NASCAR, NASCAR-owned tracks and participating teams in NASCAR’s national race series, and is operated under a Board of Directors representing those organizations.
