iRacing again has some news to get us all excited. They have recently confirmed that the next sequel to NASCAR 25, the 26th version of the game, is already “well into development.”

iRacing returned to the official console gaming space after years with the launch of NASCAR 25, establishing a new foundation for the franchise that we now can't wait to get our hands on again.

The update came on the recent iRacing Downshift podcast, where the Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Kevin Bobbitt, finally addressed the future of the series. “The next version of NASCAR 25, which, as you could imagine, would be NASCAR 26, is well into development,” Bobbitt said.

NASCAR 25 had a highly successful launch in October 2025 where it sold over 100,000 units on PlayStation and Xbox within few weeks. It earned $1.5 million on Steam alone and much more in direct revenue.

His comments also provided a lot of respite for fans who were getting anxious about the release of the next title. Many speculated that we wouldn't see a new game, but instead possibly get an update or a DLC package. For now, Bobbitt's remarks have completely ruled out that possibility.

Even though the executive did not reveal any features, gameplay details, or even a release window, he surely signaled that future announcements would soon be headed our way.

His comments also answered growing questions from fans who had noticed the lack of information surrounding the next title. Some had speculated that iRacing could simply release a seasonal update or DLC package rather than a full standalone game.

Bobbitt’s remarks effectively ruled out that possibility for now. “I think that you will see some news on that in the very near future,” he explained. Bobbitt added, “We’ll say soon. Some news that’s coming, but I can’t say more than that. Excited about it, some cool stuff that we’re working on.”

The NASCAR 26 game is, in fact, part of a larger push by the racing industry into the gaming sector. Let's see how this expansion is taking place.

NASCAR 26 is part of iRacing’s expanding racing game portfolio

NASCAR 26 is an indicator of how iRacing is expanding its business strategy. Since it acquired the exclusive NASCAR license from Motorsport Games in 2023, the company has expanded from being a simple subscription-based simulator into a multi-franchise publisher.

The group now has a portfolio of games that includes NASCAR, World of Outlaws, an upcoming IndyCar title, and a separate arcade racing project developed alongside Original Fire Games.

The rise of iRacing's model is due to the technical capabilities it gained from its acquisition of Monster Games, the company that created the NASCAR Heat series, as well as Orontes Games, the company that made the proprietary game engine.

This allowed iRacing to gain vehicle data, development expertise, and physics technology that it otherwise lacked. The acquisitions also guarantee one simple thing: that the new game could be something special, and one that fans can't wait to play.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Uday Jakhar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason