After Motorsport Games put the brakes on the highly-anticipated IndyCar game, the US open-wheel series is returning to iRacing as part of a new licensing agreement. This will be a welcome relief to IndyCar fans and sim racers.
IndyCar returns to iRacing
For years, iRacing was the home of virtual IndyCar racing. That was until December 2022 when iRacing’s Indycar license ended. As a result, all official IndyCar content was removed and the virtual iRacing Indy 500 was cancelled in 2023.
Now, IndyCar is making a triumphant return to iRacing. A new multi-year licensing agreement will bring back the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the popular iRacing Indianapolis 500 Special Event. IndyCar branding of series, cars, and events will reappear in iRacing over the coming days.
Licensing for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been extended according to iRacing, so the iconic oval circuit will remain in the sim racer for the foreseeable future. iRacing subscribers can also set up private IndyCar race events and leagues.
“The IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are racing properties that need to be included in iRacing,” said iRacing president Tony Gardner.
“There is no better way for fans to experience sim racing than on iRacing and whether it’s the IndyCar Series’ Indy 500, NASCAR’s Brickyard 400, or IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks, there is nothing like racing at Indianapolis. I am so pleased to be able to bring these events back to the iRacing community.”
What about the official IndyCar game?
The series’ return to iRacing comes after Motorsport Games suspended development of the official IndyCar game amid the company’s ongoing financial troubles. This was a huge blow for IndyCar fans. Since then, IndyCar has filed a termination notice to Motorsport Games to end the exclusive license deal, but this has yet to be finalised.
Even if we don’t get a standalone game, it’s great to see IndyCar represented in sim racing again. With iRacing taking over the NASCAR game license from Motorsport Games, the PC sim racer will become the lead platform for virtual US motorsport racing once again.
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