NASCAR 26 is one of the most fun racing games on Xbox today
The return of official NASCAR video games in 2025 marks a significant milestone for the franchise, which had languished following disappointing releases under a previous publisher. Developer iRacing has taken over the NASCAR video game license and delivered NASCAR 26, the studio’s second entry in the series and a notable improvement over its predecessor.
Rather than simply porting its existing iRacing simulation to console platforms, iRacing developed NASCAR 26 as a dedicated experience tailored specifically for console and PC audiences. This approach extends to controller support, recognizing that console players expect accessible gameplay rather than the wheel-centric design of hardcore racing simulations.
iRacing’s reputation for producing quality racing simulations has established confidence in the franchise’s revival. The studio is known for its expertise in virtual racing and brings that pedigree to the NASCAR 26 project. The game features improvements and new additions over iRacing’s first NASCAR attempt, demonstrating an iterative development approach.
NASCAR 26 has established itself as one of the standout racing games available on Xbox, appealing to both casual console players and racing enthusiasts. The successful launch represents a turnaround for the NASCAR video game series and validates iRacing’s decision to build a console-first experience rather than compromising a hardcore simulation for broader appeal.