NASCAR 26 Reviews
NASCAR 26 is a good game, but it could have been so much more.
NASCAR 26 from developer iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations is fun, with enough modes and detail to keep it engaging, and it seems welcoming to new racers through several modes. Graphically, it’s not the most gorgeous racing game I have seen, but it makes up for what it lacks in graphics with strong gameplay.
This year’s release really feels like iRacing Studios playing it safe. The slightly updated Career Mode moves in the right direction, but the lack of any serious additions or meaningful changes is ultimately the game’s biggest downfall. The racing itself remains solid, even if the AI drivers still don’t do much to retaliate, interact with you, or make the experience feel more dynamic. When you put everything together, most of what NASCAR 26 brings to the table amounts to surface-level changes rather than the kind of improvements that make a sequel feel necessary. I still enjoyed my time behind the wheel, and there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with the game, but that’s also the problem: NASCAR 25 is already available, and it delivers much of the same experience when you get on the track. So if you already own last year’s game, what’s really here to make you upgrade?
Many expected NASCAR 26 to innovate since it played it safe while creating a solid foundation with NASCAR 25. Unfortunately, NASCAR 26 remains safe.
It performs well overall if you avoid going too deep into the underlying details that hardcore sim racers fuss about.
If oval racing is your thing, the NASCAR 26 is right up your street with tons of different cars and tracks to choose from, and an easy-to-use interface means you're never too
NASCAR 26 is a surprisingly meditative racer that captures the precision of stock car racing, even though its broader evolution is less convincing.
As part of the process of consolidating the franchise's new phase under the leadership of iRacing Studios, NASCAR 26 reaffirms the principles introduced in the previous installment and implements subtle yet important refinements, particularly in the simulation mechanics and in the team and career management aspects. While not innovative, it still has room for improvement, such as the pace of progression and an audiovisual aspect that falls short of its major competitors in the genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
NASCAR 26 is more about focusing on cash and maintenance, which is good because not everyone wants this to turn into a difficult NASCAR management experience.
Will you manage to climb to the top?
NASCAR 26 delivers an authentic and accessible stock car racing experience with a wealth of licensed content, excellent presentation and a great new learning mode. The career is deep and entertaining, but remains largely unchanged from the previous game, while the shallow online offering and limited improvements make this feel more like an evolution than a true new season.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The main appeal of NASCAR is just how exciting and spectacular its races can be, and for the second year in a row, iRacing has successfully translated those strengths of the real world sport into a video game. NASCAR 26 runs well on PC, and the racing itself can be incredibly satisfying, whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced player looking for a greater challenge.
In short, I conclude my review of NASCAR 26 by recommending the game only to the biggest fans of this motorsport. Not only because it’s a somewhat niche competition in our part of the world (which is part of it), but also because, while it features a very interesting improvement in Career Mode, the truth is that this is the only significant new feature compared to last year. Furthermore, since the text hasn’t even been translated into our language, we might miss out on many important details needed to know how to approach the races.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
NASCAR 26 may still have a few shortcomings regarding game modes, but its sharp gameplay and polished graphics deliver a highly satisfying experience for both seasoned fans and newcomers alike. The "Peak Performance" feature is also a great help for beginners, offering an educational approach that highlights the sport's unique aspects.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Is NASCAR 26 really different enough from its predecessor? For a new player, this question is much less important. The game offers plenty of content, the gameplay still works very well, and the career mode is engaging enough to keep you playing for several hours. However, for someone who already owns the 2025 edition, the answer is much more difficult. The changes to the driving mechanics are welcome, but all these new features remain fairly modest when viewed as a whole. After overlooking certain limitations last year because it was a fresh start for the franchise, it’s becoming a little harder to ignore them this time around.
Review in French | Read full review
iRacing Studios NASCAR 26 is a fun stock car racing game, especially if you want a career mode and accessible handling without investing in a dedicated simulation platform. The PC version is a good starting point, especially for those with racing wheels, but the game could still benefit from more polish in its supporting systems and technical presentation.
NASCAR 26 marks the triumphant revival of the franchise under iRacing’s banner. The studio has delivered an extremely solid simulator with impeccable driving physics, stunning visuals, and robust cross‑play, ensuring an addictive experience for motorsport fans. Despite the overall excellent work, the only real drawback is the Artificial Intelligence, which still suffers from the chronic tendency to line up in single‑file formations and lacks the aggressiveness needed throughout the races.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
NASCAR 26 delivers an improved racing experience with more realistic driving mechanics and a career mode that adds depth to the overall package. However, inconsistent AI behavior, limited online features, and some persistent handling issues prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite these shortcomings, it offers an enjoyable experience for NASCAR fans looking for an authentic stock car racing simulation.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
NASCAR 26 introduce diverse novità rispetto al suo predecessore, mostrando l’ambizione di iRacing Studios di espandere i propri franchise ben oltre iRacing. Il risultato è una simulazione coinvolgente e divertente, capace di riprodurre efficacemente la natura caotica delle gare NASCAR sugli ovali. Sebbene permangano alcuni problemi, la serie è ancora relativamente giovane, lasciando tempo e ampi margini per ulteriori miglioramenti.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NASCAR 26 convinces without going overboard with changes. Fairly minimal updates to the multiplayer, aside from the much-needed addition of cross-play, with likewise the single-player career receiving minimal but welcome new features. Yet, the overall on-track experience is just quite stunning, with high-intensity racing in ever-evolving race situations that few other racers on the market offer – let alone such an accessible one at that.