NASCAR Sim Racing

NASCAR in sim racing has become a significant part of the virtual motorsport world, offering fans and drivers alike a chance to experience high-speed racing in a simulated environment. With the rise of eSports and advancements in technology, NASCAR's presence in sim racing has expanded rapidly, creating a bridge between the real-world sport and its digital counterpart.

NASCAR, a series known for its stock car races mainly on oval tracks, is an ideal fit for sim racing because of the sport's emphasis on strategy, skill, and high-speed maneuvers and iRacing, in particular, has played a key role in bringing NASCAR into the spotlight. The platform offers highly detailed simulations of NASCAR races, replicating real-world tracks and cars with stunning accuracy. The software has gained a reputation for its precise physics and tire models, which are crucial to creating a realistic racing experience. It also allows users to race in multiplayer environments, making it an excellent choice for competitive racing. This allows users to feel what it’s like to drive a NASCAR vehicle without ever leaving their home, an experience that is further improved with the officially licensed Fanatec Podium Wheel Rim NASCAR or the Podium Steering Wheel Classic 2 as part of your setup.

The COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in NASCAR's shift toward sim racing. In 2020, when real-world racing events were suspended, NASCAR turned to virtual racing to continue its season and brought a new generation of fans into the sport, allowing them to feel a deeper connection to the cars, drivers, and races. The NASCAR Pro Invitational Series, a virtual competition held on iRacing, featured both professional NASCAR drivers and celebrities, bringing attention to the world of sim racing. The event was streamed live on national television, attracting millions of viewers and showing the potential of sim racing as a viable form of entertainment.

Sim racing has also led to the development of new careers and opportunities for professional drivers. The NASCAR iRacing Series, for instance, is a professional eSports league where top virtual racers compete in a series of races mirroring the actual NASCAR Cup Series. This has helped elevate sim racing to a professional level, with drivers now using it as a platform for showcasing their talent and honing their skills.

Not only NASCAR drivers use sim racing to practice for upcoming events. Young drivers often use these platforms to showcase their skills to a global audience, with some even transitioning from sim racing to real-world racing careers. Additionally, major sponsors and partnerships have begun to see the value in supporting eSports events, helping to boost the legitimacy of virtual racing as a professional sport.

William Byron, who won the real 2025 Daytona 500, started his journey as a professional driver with iRacing.

The growth of NASCAR in sim racing has not only had an impact on the professional realm but also the amateur level. Racing enthusiasts can now compete against friends or strangers in leagues and tournaments, making sim racing more accessible than ever. The advancement of VR (virtual reality) and motion simulation technology has further enhanced the immersion, giving participants the feeling of being inside the car, experiencing every turn, bump, and jolt in real-time.