Gone are those times when drivers relied solely on their hands-on experience. In the 21st century, racing aspirants can begin on a virtual podium, and then earn their way into actual racetracks. That is what iRacing has been doing ever since it became NASCAR’s official simulation partner in 2010. But now another (video) game is afoot – to draw the much-coveted younger demographic.

NASCAR games have been around for years, creating some gaming legends for its drivers and teams. As the 2025 season fast approaches, so do winds of change for the gaming scene. iRacing is gearing up for a grand reveal, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is all in and praises it.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. approves virtual milestone

Most NASCAR racers start their careers early—they hop into go-karts during adolescence. However, a small yet growing number of drivers are breaking this trend. Hendrick Motorsports Cup Series driver William Byron had the most unorthodox rise to success. He spent his youth in iRacing and took the wheel of an actual race car at 14. His Craftsman Truck Series teammate’s timeline was even more bizarre. Rajah Caruth, one of the two African-American drivers in NASCAR at present, began his career with iRacing in 2018 and started with NASCAR Drive for Diversity in 2019. Currently driving the No. 71 truck for Spire Motorsports, Caruth has already won the 2024 Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200, drawing appreciation from veterans like Dale Earnhardt Jr.

So considering all these milestones, iRacing is ready to push forward with their newest project. In late 2023, iRacing acquired the NASCAR Team Properties’ (NTP) exclusive simulation-style console racing games license from Motorsport Games. So the simulation partner is all set to release its first NASCAR video game, NASCAR 25, in the fall of 2025, and here’s what Dale Earnhardt Jr. has to say in support.

Although the Netflix documentary ‘NASCAR: Full Speed‘ reached a global audience, NASCAR has yet to gain ground among the youth. So Junior sees iRacing as the perfect savior for spreading the popularity of the sport. “I think there is a really great opportunity in gaming for NASCAR to connect with younger fans. The demographic in gaming skews young. And honestly, when you think about how you might have learned some of the details and rules and intricacies of the sport,” then Dale Jr. added a bold 6-word claim, “You learn it from video games.”

Prominent NASCAR officials also echoed Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s youthful hopes. “We’re going to be able to grow a whole new generation of talent because they’re going to be on the video game from 4 years old on, graduating into a simulator,” said Ray Smith, NASCAR’s Director of Gaming & Esports, citing Caruth’s success.

Then Managing Director Esports and Gaming, Nick Rend, also sounded excited about iRacing’s potential. He said NASCAR is “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.”

As NASCAR’s elite personalities tip their hat to this bright purpose, it turns out iRacing has already been at it for years.

Channels to draw the youth

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NASCAR’s investors are worried about the sport fizzling out due to the paucity of young faces on racetracks. However, active efforts are underway under iRacing’s umbrella. In 2022, NASCAR, iRacing, and Playfly Sports put their heads together to create the eNASCAR College iRacing Series. This year’s season will feature iRacing’s top collegiate oval racers competing across nine events in Xfinity and Truck vehicles to claim a $60,000 scholarship prize. What better place to tap into young talents than colleges and universities?

That is what iRacing president Tony Gardner emphasized, echoing Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s sentiments. He underlined the series’ importance, saying, “With a record number of colleges and universities competing last season, this series highlights the exceptional talent in collegiate racing and offers a unique platform for young motorsport enthusiasts.” Gardner added the students’ prospects as well. “This series allows students to race on behalf of their schools in official NASCAR events, professionally broadcast to multiple streaming platforms using vehicles and tracks that are best known for their presence on the real-world racing circuit.”

Evidently, the game is afoot to make video gaming a popular fixture of NASCAR. And hopefully, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s projection will fall into place and the youth will be glued to the sport.