Over the years, numerous companies and gaming giants have contributed to NASCAR’s gaming landscape. It began in 1994 with Papyrus Design Group, followed by EA Sports, which produced annual titles until 2010. The shift occurred when iRacing entered the scene, revolutionizing NASCAR gaming.
Last year, NASCAR announced that iRacing had acquired the NASCAR Team Properties (NTP) license for simulation-style console games. The license, previously held by 704Games, a Motorsport Games subsidiary, will transition to iRacing, led by Dale Earnhardt Jr., to develop new NASCAR console games starting in 2025. This move has brought optimism among fans, who have long been disappointed with Motorsport Games’ efforts.
Eutechnyx attempted to revive NASCAR’s annual gaming series but handed over operations to Motorsport Games in 2016. Titles like NASCAR Heat, NASCAR Rivals, and NASCAR Ignition failed to meet gamers’ expectations. Frequent glitches, crashes, and poor user experience plagued their releases, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. Now, with Motorsport Games leaving NASCAR gaming, fans are celebrating the end of a disappointing era and looking forward to the future under iRacing’s direction.
Motorsport Games officially announced its departure on X, stating that all NASCAR game titles and DLC content will no longer be available for purchase after December 31, 2024, though they will remain playable. The company’s struggles extended beyond public perception. In 2022, they faced investor lawsuits over alleged fraud, leading to the resignation of several board members. Promised projects, such as an IndyCar game, also never materialized, further tarnishing their reputation.
The backlash to Motorsport Games’ exit announcement was swift and unfiltered, with fans expressing their relief and frustration over the publisher’s tenure. Many criticized the company for turning off comments on their post, interpreting it as a lack of accountability. One fan remarked, “The fact they turned off replies tells you how much they care about the product.”
iRacing’s acquisition of the NASCAR license for $6 million initially seemed risky, given the sport’s rocky gaming history. However, iRacing has already showcased its commitment to quality through laser-scanned tracks and collaborations with NASCAR personnel. Their simulation platform, widely regarded as one of the best, is used by real NASCAR teams and gained significant traction during the COVID-19 pandemic. iRacing has also been instrumental in creating new NASCAR tracks like the Chicago Street Race and Busch Light Clash.
With iRacing taking charge, NASCAR fans are optimistic about a brighter future for the sport’s gaming ecosystem. As one fan aptly stated, “We have better fish to fry in 2025.”
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