The series will be based around having kids 13-16 worldwide sign up to compete in a 12-week seasonGETTY IMAGES
NASCAR and iRacing are teaming to launch a youth-based esports series, a move both sides see as a way to lower the barrier to entry to race when developing young drivers. The name and logo of the series will be released in the coming weeks. It will start in June and be based around having kids aged 13-16 worldwide sign up to compete in a 12-week season. Drivers use U.S. legend cars at short tracks plus some other well-known venues. The regular season will be eight events and open to all entrants at NASCAR.com/iRacing before the competition is whittled down to the top 50 users by points for the playoffs, which will be streamed online. The initiative is the latest between NASCAR and iRacing, the latter of which has been holding the NASCAR-licensed elite-level PEAK Antifreeze iRacing Series on its platform for nine years. This is the first announced initiative under NASCAR’s new consumer innovation group. iRacing is a subscription-based racing simulator that is a more advanced and technical offering for hard-core race fans and actual racers themselves than arcade-style racing video games. NASCAR teams have been working on a separate venture with iRacing that would create a pro league full of skilled players who would be drafted by the organizations and compete against one another for money in tournaments streamed online.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WHAT'S THERE: NASCAR VP/Consumer Innovation Blake Davidson said, “Other sports are really probably more focused on the fan engagement piece and they don’t have the opportunity to necessarily pursue an athlete-development path. We feel like we do, and it’s been sitting there for many years. We just haven’t formalized that, and that’s where this new esports series targeting youth comes into play.” iRacing Exec VP & Exec Producer Steve Myers: “It’s very exciting to have a long-term partner who sees the platform as a way to find talent and to engage with younger fans and get them interested in NASCAR.”
For more coverage of the business of esports, visit our partners, esportsobserver.com.
