Nascar 26, the latest entry in iRacing Studios’ long running NASCAR series, has a brand new trailer out, this time focused purely on gameplay rather than breaking down individual features the way last week’s trailer did. Pre-orders for the game opened the same day, ahead of its release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 18, 2026.
What the new trailer actually shows
Where the previous trailer walked through the game’s various components piece by piece, this new one drops straight into the racing itself, giving a clearer sense of how the cars sound and handle once they hit the track. It is the kind of trailer aimed squarely at people who already know they want the game and just want to see it in motion.
Standard and gold editions, with early access on the table
Nascar 26 will launch in two versions across every platform: a Standard Edition and a Gold Edition. Full pricing details, along with a breakdown of exactly what the Gold Edition includes, are set to arrive later this month alongside another new trailer. What is already confirmed is that Gold Edition buyers will get three days of early access before the game’s official release date.
All four premier series return, alongside a dynamic track system
This year’s cover driver is NASCAR star Kyle Larson, and the game continues to include all four of the sport’s premier series, the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series, each populated with real drivers. The headline new addition is a dynamic track system that changes the surface and conditions over the course of a race weekend, rather than keeping the track static from practice through to the final race.
Beyond that, the game adds an improved Career Mode, cross-platform online multiplayer, burnout mechanics and a reworked driving model, with additional features still to be detailed in next week’s follow up trailer.
Built in response to what fans asked for
Nick Rend, vice president of interactive and emerging platforms at NASCAR, framed the new title as a direct response to fan demand for iRacing Studios to take over development of the console series. He pointed to the reception of last year’s Nascar 25 as evidence of growing momentum around NASCAR games, describing Nascar 26 as a meaningful step forward across the board, from how cars handle and tracks evolve to the addition of cross-platform play. According to Rend, it stands as the studio’s most complete and authentic NASCAR console game to date.
