INDYCAR iRacing Pro Series Announces return with New Format and $50,000 Prize Pool
Table of Contents
- 1. INDYCAR iRacing Pro Series Announces return with New Format and $50,000 Prize Pool
- 2. New Qualifying Series and Championship Details
- 3. Continued Partnership between INDYCAR and iRacing
- 4. Series Schedule and Broadcast Data
- 5. The Rise of Esports and Sim Racing
- 6. What specific hardware is Thrustmaster providing as title sponsor for the series?
- 7. Thrustmaster iRacing Pro Series Returns in January 2026 with INDYCAR Series
- 8. What is the iRacing Pro Series?
- 9. The shift to INDYCAR: Why This matters
- 10. Key Details for the 2026 Season
- 11. Eligibility and Qualifying
- 12. Hardware and software Requirements
October 26, 2024 – The World of Motorsports will see a resurgence of competitive virtual racing as iRacing, INDYCAR, and Thrustmaster have jointly announced the return of the INDYCAR Thrustmaster iRacing Pro Series for the 2025-26 season.
New Qualifying Series and Championship Details
The upcoming season promises intensified competition with a significant $50,000 prize pool, attracting top virtual INDYCAR racers from around the globe. A notable change is the introduction of a new qualifying series that will utilize the recently released Dallara IL-15, the same car employed in the real-world INDY NXT by Firestone development series.
Tony Gardner, iRacing President, expressed excitement about the series’ return and the partnership with Thrustmaster. He highlighted the series’ previous success and its importance in the expanding relationship between iRacing and INDYCAR, emphasizing the added realism the Dallara IL-15 will bring to the championship. according to a 2024 report by Statista, the global esports market is projected to reach $2.85 billion by 2027, demonstrating the increasing popularity and investment in virtual racing.
Ben Hendricks, INDYCAR Senior Manager of Sponsorship Sales and Strategy, echoed Gardner’s sentiment, stating that the series provides a platform for the world’s best virtual drivers to showcase their skills. He underscored the immersive and complete nature of the partnership with iRacing, hinting at further integration with the official INDYCAR game scheduled for release in 2026.
Continued Partnership between INDYCAR and iRacing
The revival of the INDYCAR Thrustmaster iRacing Pro Series marks another milestone in the growing collaboration between iRacing and INDYCAR. This year has already seen the integration of Portland International Raceway in March and the Dallara IL-15 in September into iRacing. Additional content is planned for release before the next season. In March 2024, Motorsport.com reported a 20% increase in participation in virtual racing events globally, reflecting the growing accessibility and appeal of esports.
Last year’s inaugural series concluded with Diogo Pinto claiming the championship, showcasing a consistent performance highlighted by a victory at weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca.The track, known for its challenging layout, demands precision and skill from drivers.
Series Schedule and Broadcast Data
The INDYCAR Thrustmaster iRacing Qualifying Series is slated to begin this October, with the INDYCAR Thrustmaster iRacing Pro Series commencing in January 2026. Races will be live-streamed on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET via iRacing’s social media channels, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES YouTube channel, and the INDYCAR website.
| Series | Start Date | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Series | October 2024 | Dallara IL-15 vehicle, determines Pro Series grid |
| Pro Series | January 2026 | $50,000 prize pool, live broadcasts |
Did You Know? The INDY NXT by Firestone series serves as a direct pathway for drivers aspiring to reach the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, mirroring the real-world development pipeline within the virtual competition.
Pro Tip: Mastering the Dallara IL-15 in iRacing requires a focus on aerodynamics and precise braking. Utilize racing line guides and practice consistently to optimize performance.
For further details about iRacing and available offers, visit www.iRacing.com.
What aspects of virtual racing do you find most appealing – the competition, the realism, or the accessibility?
How do you see the line between real-world Motorsports and virtual racing blurring in the future?
The Rise of Esports and Sim Racing
The popularity of Esports, and particularly sim racing, has surged in recent years. Factors driving this growth include increased accessibility of technology, improved realism in simulation software, and greater sponsorship opportunities. According to Newzoo’s 2024 Global Esports market Report,the global esports audience will reach 640.6 million this year.
Sim racing offers a unique prospect for drivers to hone their skills in a safe and cost-effective environment. It also provides a platform for fans to engage with their favorite teams and drivers in a new and immersive way. The integration of virtual racing into official Motorsports championships, like the INDYCAR iRacing Pro Series, further blurs the line between the physical and digital worlds.
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What specific hardware is Thrustmaster providing as title sponsor for the series?
Thrustmaster iRacing Pro Series Returns in January 2026 with INDYCAR Series
The highly anticipated Thrustmaster iRacing Pro Series is making a triumphant return in January 2026, and this time, it’s powered by the thrilling world of the INDYCAR Series! This marks a significant shift for the pro-level sim racing competition, promising intense battles and a new level of realism for both participants and viewers. Here’s a deep dive into what you need to know about the upcoming season.
What is the iRacing Pro Series?
The iRacing Pro Series is a premier sim racing league featuring some of the most talented drivers in the world. Organized and sanctioned by iRacing, the series provides a platform for professional and aspiring professional racers to compete head-to-head in a realistic and challenging virtual environment. It’s known for its high production value, competitive field, and significant prize pool. Historically,the series has featured various racing disciplines,including NASCAR and IMSA.
The shift to INDYCAR: Why This matters
The move to the INDYCAR Series represents a strategic decision to capitalize on the growing popularity of open-wheel racing and the highly detailed INDYCAR content available within iRacing.
* Increased realism: The iRacing INDYCAR simulations are renowned for their accurate physics and portrayal of the real-world cars and tracks. This translates to a more immersive and challenging experiance for drivers.
* Growing fanbase: INDYCAR’s fanbase is expanding, and aligning the Pro Series with this popular series will attract a wider audience.
* Driver Appeal: Many professional racers are actively involved in iRacing and appreciate the opportunity to hone their skills in a virtual environment that closely mirrors the real thing. The INDYCAR platform is especially attractive to drivers with open-wheel backgrounds.
* Sponsorship Opportunities: The INDYCAR Series offers attractive sponsorship opportunities, perhaps leading to increased investment in the iRacing Pro Series.
Key Details for the 2026 Season
Here’s a breakdown of the essential data for the upcoming season:
* Start Date: January 2026 (Specific date to be announced)
* Series: INDYCAR Series (featuring all official INDYCAR tracks and cars)
* Schedule: A multi-race schedule will be released in november 2025, featuring both oval and road course events. Expect around 10-12 races.
* Prize Pool: Details regarding the prize pool are forthcoming, but it’s expected to be considerable, attracting top-tier sim racers.
* Broadcasting: The races will be broadcast live on iRacing’s official streaming channels,as well as potentially through partnerships with other streaming platforms.
* Thrustmaster Partnership: Thrustmaster continues as the title sponsor, providing essential sim racing hardware and support to the series.Expect to see drivers utilizing Thrustmaster steering wheels, pedals, and shifters.
Eligibility and Qualifying
The iRacing Pro Series is highly competitive, and entry isn’t open to everyone. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility and the qualifying process:
- iRacing Subscription: A valid iRacing subscription is mandatory.
- Safety Rating & iRating: Participants will need to meet specific Safety Rating (SR) and iRating requirements. Historically, a minimum SR of 3.0 and an iRating of 2800 have been common thresholds.
- Qualifying Events: A series of qualifying races will be held in December 2025 to determine the field of drivers for the 2026 season. These events will test drivers’ speed, consistency, and racecraft.
- Invitations: A select number of drivers may recieve direct invitations based on their performance in previous iRacing competitions or their real-world racing credentials.
Hardware and software Requirements
To compete at the highest
