NASCAR 2023: Real Race Based on iRacing’s Chicago Street Circuit

Based on iRacing Motorsport Simulations’ Chicago Street Circuit, NASCAR will hold a real race on the streets of Chicago next year, with a date and partnership background that at first glance seems unusual.

Real Race Based on iRacing Chicago Street Circuit ZoomFor the most part, developers of motorsports simulations and racing games have virtually recreated real tracks that have been around for a long time. Sometimes fictional race tracks are used, for example because it is best for game design or for licensing reasons. In the case of newly built racetracks, numerous software simulations are currently performed prior to the final start of construction to determine the best track layout.

This is exactly what the City of Chicago has been counting on, announcing this week along with NASCAR that the NASCAR Cup Series will make its debut on the streets of Chicago next year on July 1-2, 2023. This builds on the Chicago street circuit already available in iRacing Motorsport Simulations and the development studio’s advice to the city on its ambitions to bring NASCAR action to Chicago.

iRacing has supported the year-long process to bring the event to fruition by providing its virtual track creation and circuit design technology to create a test track to facilitate the deal.

“Bringing NASCAR racing to life on the streets of Chicago is a great accomplishment and iRacing is thrilled to have been a part of it,” said Steve Myers, executive vice president of iRacing. “In recent years, iRacing has been trusted by major motorsports brands to not only simulate their current products, but also to experiment with new car and track concepts. Bringing the NASCAR Cup Series to the streets of Chicago for the first time is a direct result of our collaboration, and we can’t wait to see the concept come to life.”

Real racing based on iRacing’s Chicago Zoom street circuitIn the fall of 2020, iRacing staff headed to downtown Chicago to scan the city’s streets with the goal of designing a viable race track. Next, iRacing proceeded to design the track, recommending the course and streets to be used. They then provided an analysis with data from online iRacing sessions of the track and from numerous races with eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series drivers.

After testing various designs for race capability and using iRacing race data to compare with other existing tracks, iRacing finally made a recommendation for the final design to be used. The data, combined with virtual test runs, showed that the track would provide competitive racing. The layout was approved and unveiled at a June 2021 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series eNASCAR event, televised live on FS1. The 2.14-mile, 12-turn track, which has been made available to all iRacing members, not only promises NASCAR action, but also features many of the city’s iconic landmarks in the background, such as Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain.

See you on the track!