On Thursday, NASCAR, iRacing, and Motorsport Games Inc. announced a shift in who holds the official NASCAR Team Properties exclusive simulation-style console racing games license. In a sale, approved by NASCAR Team Properties, iRacing has acquired the license from Motorsport Games.
According to a press release, iRacing will begin development work on a NASCAR console game, which is expected to be released in 2025.
iRacing has had a NASCAR console game in its sights for some time, and having the ability to acquire the license was a chance they couldn’t pass on.
“When we were approached with the option to acquire the license for the simulation-style NASCAR console game, which was the console game and franchise that we were dreaming about doing, it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” said iRacing President Tony Gardner. “Having the ability to build a NASCAR console game is a privilege we promise to execute with the utmost care. We look forward to working diligently with NASCAR industry stakeholders to deliver a product that provides an amazing experience for the gaming community and NASCAR fans worldwide.”
iRacing, which started as an online based racing simulator service, has had a relationship with NASCAR since 2010 and has become the sanctioning body’s “official simulation partner” over the years.
The new holder of the NASCAR console game license feels they have enough knowledge and experience with NASCAR-style game content to really make a great title for fans and gamers.
Gardner added, “With all the NASCAR game experience, console experience, resources and technology assets we already have in place, we are in a fantastic position to hit the ground running building a great NASCAR game franchise on the various platforms.”
Motorsport Games, which has produced several NASCAR game titles including NASCAR Heat 5 and NASCAR Rivals, says the sale was made after a strategic review of their company.
“The sale of the NASCAR license is the result of a thorough, strategic review of where we believe our company should be headed over the longer-term,” said Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood. “In our exploration of the sale, we gave due consideration to those companies we believed could develop a great NASCAR game. Both NASCAR and iRacing have been receptive to our proposed change, working with us to architect a positive transition post-sale and we thank them for their support. We will now concentrate our efforts towards delivering around other IP already in advanced development.”
For NASCAR, this is a chance to reach a massive new audience in the gaming space.
“NASCAR has the most passionate fans in the world and a vast community that is just as passionate about gaming,” said NASCAR Managing Director Esports and Gaming Nick Rend. “What’s more, there continues to be tremendous opportunity to connect with millions of potential new fans in the gaming space.
“iRacing has been an incredible partner and ambassador for the NASCAR industry for more than a decade. We thank Motorsport Games for its efforts over the years and are ready to work with iRacing to deliver a best-in-class simulation-style NASCAR console game that’s exciting for the gaming community and allows our fans to connect with the sport in an impactful, meaningful way.”
So, there you have it. The NASCAR Simulation-Style Console Game license has changed hands, and fans can expect a new NASCAR console gaming experience in 2025.
