IndyCar Announces Return of eSports Series for 2025-26 Season
IndyCar has officially confirmed the return of the INDYCAR Thrustmaster iRacing Pro Series for the 2025-26 season. Virtual competitors will vie for a substantial prize pool of $50,000 across a variety of iconic ovals, road courses, and street circuits.
The upcoming season will feature a new qualifying format utilizing the Dallara IL-15, the same vehicle featured in the real-world INDY NXT by Firestone development series. This addition aims to enhance realism as aspiring drivers mirror the path taken by professional IndyCar athletes.
“Bringing the INDYCAR iRacing Pro Series back later this year, with the support of our new partners at Thrustmaster, is incredibly exciting,” stated iRacing President Tony Gardner. “Last year’s series showcased thrilling eSports racing, and this new qualifying format adds another layer of authenticity.”
Ben Hendricks, INDYCAR’s senior manager of sponsorship sales and strategy, emphasized the series as a showcase for elite virtual drivers and reaffirmed the strength of the partnership with iRacing. “This underscores the immersive nature of our collaboration as we look ahead to our official game launch in 2026,” he noted.
The inaugural INDYCAR iRacing Pro Series, held in fall 2024, was won by Diogo Pinto, who secured the championship through consistent performances, including a victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The INDYCAR Thrustmaster iRacing Qualifying Series is set to commence later this October, while the Pro Series will launch in January 2026. Races will be streamed live at 8 PM ET on Thursdays via iRacing’s social media channels and the NTT IndyCar Series YouTube channel.
Further details regarding the series schedule will be released in the coming weeks. For additional information on iRacing, visit www.iRacing.com.
