iRacing has confirmed that NASCAR 26, its second standalone NASCAR simulation, will launch on 18 September 2026, building on last year's well-received NASCAR 25. The announcement, detailed in a new developer diary featuring producer Matt Lewis and creative director Mike DeVault, sets out a range of gameplay improvements aimed at addressing player feedback and adding new features ahead of release.

Key additions include dynamic track surfaces that rubber in progressively over a race weekend, opening up new racing lines and strategic options. The developers have also fixed complaints from NASCAR 25 by loosening overly strict road course track-limit penalties and introducing AI-controlled cars that can now retire from races (DNFs) rather than remaining invincible. A standalone 10-round Chase mode will let players set up a custom field and race just the championship's final stretch, while buyers of the pricier Gold Edition will get three days of early access before launch; new gameplay footage is expected next week.