iRacing Presents The Indianapolis 500

It’s May, and for sim racers around the world, that only means one thing: the iRacing Indy 500. This isn’t just another race on the simracing calendar. It’s a digital reenactment of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” — an event that’s turned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway into a racing temple since 1911.

The iRacing Indy 500 is history, strategy, and precision packed into 200 laps at over 220 mph.

You’ll be racing in the Dallara IR18, the same car used in the real-life IndyCar Series. And yes, it’s a grueling 500-mile test of fuel management, racecraft, and setup mastery. But there’s far more to this experience than just speed.

Detached Qualifying: A Ritual of Preparation

One of the event’s defining features is that qualifying is not done immediately before the race. It happens throughout the week leading up to the event, and it’s a challenge in itself. You’ll have multiple attempts to set a time, but only your four-lap average counts — and each lap must be clean. Touch a wall, and that lap won’t count.

This system mimics the real Indy 500 qualifying format. And yes, it’s as tense as it sounds. Every qualifying session becomes a high-stakes test. One mistake can cost you a spot in the top split — where the best compete… and this year, do so in front of the cameras.

Yes, There Will Be a Live Broadcast

For the first time, iRacing will host official live broadcasts of the Top Split races for both the Fixed and Open Setup versions. If you qualify high enough, you could be racing live on iRacing’s YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook channels.

• Fixed Race Broadcast: Saturday, May 10th at 17:00 GMT
• Open Race Broadcast: Saturday, May 17th at 17:00 GMT

These will run during Timeslot #3, the highest participation window — your best chance to be seen by the global simracing community.

Race Schedule and Conditions

Fixed Setup

• Date: May 6th–12th
• Timeslots:
  • Saturday – 01:00 GMT (TS1)
  • Saturday – 13:00 GMT (TS2)
  • Saturday – 17:00 GMT (TS3) [Broadcast Slot]
  • Sunday – 13:00 GMT (TS4)
• Weather: Static (same as that week’s Indy Oval Fixed series)

Open Setup

• Date: May 13th–19th
• Timeslots:
  • Saturday – 01:00 GMT (TS1)
  • Saturday – 13:00 GMT (TS2)
  • Saturday – 17:00 GMT (TS3) [Broadcast Slot]
  • Sunday – 13:00 GMT (TS4)
• Weather: Forecast-based. Static during qualifying, dynamic during the race.

The race will take place on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Open Wheel Oval, with a simulated date of May 25, 2025, 12:30 PM. Maximum field size: 33 cars. No team racing, no incident limits. License required: D 4.0 Oval or higher.

Race Format and Strategy

• Qualifying: Detached 4-lap average
• Warm-up: 15 minutes
• Race: 200 laps
• Fuel & tires: Changed simultaneously in the pits
• Setup: Fixed or Open depending on event
• Splits: Determined by qualifying time, not iRating

Don’t forget: If you don’t qualify, you’ll still race, but behind every driver who did — even if your iRating is higher. That creates a unique “hybrid” split, mixing the slowest qualifiers with the highest-rated non-qualifiers — unpredictable and thrilling.

This race is about more than just going fast. It’s about managing fuel strategy, adjusting your engine maps, and mastering in-car tools like the weight jacker and adjustable ARBs to stay competitive in traffic. Tire wear isn’t extreme, but fresh rubber is always an advantage.

It’s not just about fame or virtual trophies. Even in a digital environment, this event demands your full attention, your preparation, and your perseverance. And now, it connects you to a 113-year-old legacy.

See you on the track!