--- title: "The First IndyCar Game in Over Two Decades Is Coming Early Next Year" date: "2026-07-10" modified: "2026-07-10" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-first-indycar-game-in-over-two-decades-is-coming-early-next-year" categories: - "Culture" - "News" - "Video Games" --- # The First IndyCar Game in Over Two Decades Is Coming Early Next Year ![IndyCar Racing: The game screenshot, showing two IndyCars racing from above]() *\iRac\\ing Studios\* Over the past year, iRacing Studios has been [plugging away at a dedicated IndyCar title](), the likes of which haven't existed since the mid-2000s. The road to a new IndyCar game has been a turbulent one, as the license for the American open-wheel racing series was tied up with Motorsport Games for a time, before that agreement ended with nothing to show for it, and IndyCar landed with iRacing. We hadn't heard anything on the game in months, but Friday we got an update that it's coming in early 2027, as well as a pair of screenshots. The title, which is officially called *IndyCar Racing: The Game* (a little redundant, but sure), will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam next year. When it was announced nearly a year ago, iRacing said the game would utilize its proprietary Orontes engine, rather than the middleware used for iRacing's core simulator or Unreal Engine. Orontes is the same tech that powers the publisher's futuristic racer *[ExoCross]()*, which is remarkably sophisticated and high-performing despite its more fantastical vibe. ![]() **iRacing Studios** Originally, the IndyCar game was planned to launch in 2026, but with seemingly every piece of software in development getting pushed out months into the future—and given that iRacing seemed to be angling for a short turnaround here—it's hardly surprising that it's slid into 2027. Nevertheless, this is one we're certainly looking forward to. IndyCar fans know it's some of the best racing there is these days, and American open-wheel motorsport has rarely gotten the attention in the interactive medium that it's deserved. *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()