Coca-Cola iRacing Series Expands for 2026 Season

New format features 11-round Qualifying Series and 13-round Championship with $500,000 purse

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, one of the world's longest-running and most exciting racing esports competitions, is set to return for its 17th season in 2026 with an all-new format. The season will now feature an 11-round Qualifying Series followed by a 13-round Championship Series, giving more drivers than ever a chance to compete for the $500,000 prize pool and the prestigious Dale Earnhardt Jr. Cup.

Why it matters

The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series is a premier sim racing event that showcases the top talent in the iRacing community. The new format changes will provide more opportunities for up-and-coming drivers to earn a spot in the Championship Series, further developing the pipeline of sim racing talent and generating more excitement around the series.

The details

The 2026 season will kick off on February 10 with the 11-race Qualifying Series, which will feature vehicles from all three NASCAR national series. The top 30 drivers in Qualifying Series points will then join the top 20 from last year's standings and the top two from the eNASCAR College iRacing Series to compete in the 13-race Championship Series. The Championship Series will include a nine-race regular season followed by a three-race playoff, culminating in the October 13 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

  • The 2026 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series season will begin on February 10, 2026.
  • The Qualifying Series will run for 11 rounds from February 10 to April 28, 2026.
  • The Championship Series will run for 13 rounds from May 19 to October 13, 2026, including a three-race playoff starting on September 1.

The players

iRacing

A leading provider of realistic racing simulation software and organizer of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series.

NASCAR

The sanctioning body for the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, which features vehicles from all three of its national series.

Steven Wilson

The 2025 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series champion, driving for Spire Motorsports.

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What they’re saying

“The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series is a crown jewel of iRacing's esports efforts, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome it back for its 17th season in 2026.”

— Tony Gardner, President, iRacing (Culver City Observer)

“The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series has always represented the pinnacle of sim racing, and as we enter our 17th season, we're taking that legacy to the next level.”

— Ray Smith, Sr. Director, Sim Racing, NASCAR (Culver City Observer)

What’s next

The 2026 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Qualifying Series will begin on February 10, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway.

The takeaway

The expanded format of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series in 2026 will provide more opportunities for up-and-coming sim racing talent to compete at the highest level, further cementing the series' status as the premier championship in the world of iRacing.