The 13th season of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series will feature races on six new tracks, with drivers competing on virtual circuits that more closely mirror the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
This season will include a 19-race calendar, including a virtual race that mimics the course at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which opens the season with an exhibition race.
“We’re raising the bar with the most competitive virtual racing in the world and leaning into iRacing’s technology to blur the lines between virtual and reality,” said Nick Rend, managing director of gaming and esports for NASCAR. “The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series has grown monumentally over the past two seasons with new investments made by teams, drivers and world-class partners. This season will be no different as we anticipate more intense competition among drivers testing their clout on new and historic tracks alike.”
The L.A. Coliseum virtual race will run on February 1 in conjunction with the NASCAR Cup Series’ preseason debut at the same real-life venue on February 6. iRacing played a role in the track’s design with NASCAR Cup Series drivers and eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series competitors simulating test runs on different setups to develop its configuration for NASCAR.
Virtual events in the coming season will also debut at the newly reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Dirt Race, Dover International Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway. The series will conclude at Phoenix Raceway on October 25.
“The 2022 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series season is shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet,” said Tony Gardner, iRacing president. “With a refreshed schedule, led by our opening exhibition at the L.A. Coliseum, a track developed in iRacing, the pursuit of this year’s championship will take some exciting new turns this year. We’re excited to kick off the chase for one of the largest purses in sim racing, with well over $300,000 on the line, and look forward to crowning a champion in Phoenix.”
The season will feature 20 teams and 40 drivers contending for the championship. All races will be broadcast live on eNASCAR.com and iRacing.com/live, as well as the NASCAR and iRacing Facebook and YouTube channels. Race streams will kick off at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.