The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series is returning in 2026 for its 17th season with a $500,000 prize pool, introducing a new format to give players more chances to make it to the top.
The new format includes 24 rounds. The first 11 rounds make up the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Qualifying Series, and they’ll kick off today, February 10, at the Daytona International Speedway.
All three of the NASCAR national series vehicles (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and NASCAR Cup Series) will be represented under the same banner for the first time. Each of these is part of the Qualifying Series schedule.
The schedule for the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Qualifying Series is as follows:
- February 10: Daytona International Speedway (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series)
- February 17: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series)
- February 24: Rockingham Speedway (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series)
- March 3: Phoenix Raceway (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series)
- March 17: Homestead-Miami Speedway (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series)
- March 24: Auto Club Speedway (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series)
- March 31: Darlington Raceway (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series)
- April 7: Bristol Motor Speedway (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series)
- April 14: Chicagoland Speedway (NASCAR Cup Series)
- April 21: Michigan International Speedway (NASCAR Cup Series)
- April 28: Texas Motor Speedway (NASCAR Cup Series)
After the qualifiers, the top 30 drivers will join the top 20 from last year’s standings and the top two in the eNASCAR College iRacing Series points in free agency. During free agency, 40 of the 52 drivers will be chosen to compete full-time for the rest of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Championship Series.
This leg of the Series will include 9 races, starting on May 19 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It will lead up to a three-race playoff before the championship. Its schedule is as follows:
- May 19: Charlotte Motor Speedway
- June 2: EchoPark Speedway
- June 16: Iowa
- June 23: Fover Motor Speedway
- July 7: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
- July 14: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- July 28: Nashville Superspeedway
- August 4: Richmond Raceway
- August 18: Daytona International Speedway
- September 1: Michigan International Speedway (Playoff Race)
- September 15: Texas Motor Speedway (Playoff Race)
- September 22: Kansas Speedway (Playoff Race)
- October 13: Homestead-Miami Speedway (Championship Race)
Tony Gardner, the iRacing President, shared thoughts about the change in format and the 2026 season:
“The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series is a crown jewel of iRacing’s esports efforts, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome it back for its 17th season in 2026. This year’s all-new format further develops the series with some exciting new refinements that should keep drivers fresh and focused as they set their sights on the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Cup once again. We’re looking forward to kicking things off once again on February 10 at Daytona!”
NASCAR’s Sr. Director of Sim Racing, Ray Smith, also shared comments on the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series:
“The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series has always represented the pinnacle of sim racing, and as we enter our 17th season, we’re taking that legacy to the next level. With an expanded format, this series truly becomes a championship of the iRacing community where any driver who meets the standard has a path to compete, earn their place, and etch their name into one of the most prestigious legacies in iRacing. We can’t wait to engage this passionate community and crown the 2026 champion this October.”
