Official release note roundup

iRacing Season 3 adds AI Dirt Ovals, new cars, rebuilt Laguna Seca

The 2026 Season 3 release brings major content, physics, UI, launcher, and network updates across the sim.

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iRacing’s 2026 Season 3 Release Build is now live, with the official season start set for June 16 at 0000 UTC, according to the Season 3 Initial Release Notes published on Steam News.

The update package is broad: it adds new content, new features, vehicle and track revisions, Sim UI tools, launcher changes, and infrastructure updates aimed at improving how players race, organize events, and connect to servers.

AI Racing reaches Dirt Ovals

The most immediate gameplay change is the arrival of AI Racing at Dirt Ovals. Per iRacing, AI Drivers can now compete at twelve Dirt Oval tracks using either the Dirt Street Stock or the Dirt Legends Ford ’34 Coupe.

The release notes also say Heat Racing for AI has been prepared to support this addition. For players, that means more offline practice and event-style racing options. For streamers and leagues, it expands the range of race formats available without relying on a full field of human drivers every session.

New cars and body types

Two new vehicles join the service in this release: the BMW M2 Racing (G87) and the EURO NASCAR V8GT.

Formula Vee also receives two new body types, Cutlass and Conqueror. iRacing describes these additions as reflecting the spirit of grassroots racing. For players who follow specific series or run content-focused events, new cars and body variants can quickly reshape practice priorities and league scheduling.

Track additions and rebuilds

The release includes Qualcomm Circuit (Naval Base Coronado) making its world premiere, and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has been fully rebuilt using new scan data and artwork.

Charlotte Motor Speedway gains a new Dirt Road configuration with Rallycross - Dirt Road. Chicagoland Speedway and Oran Park Raceway receive major artwork updates, while Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours and Motorsport Arena Oschersleben gain fully 3D modeled curbs. These changes matter to competitors and broadcast crews alike because they alter how familiar venues look, and in some cases how they may feel to drive.

Vehicle and physics updates

iRacing says the NASCAR Whelen Tour Modified and SK have both received full vehicle refreshes and brand-new tires. Seasonal, class-wide updates also continue for GT3 and GTE.

The notes add that drafting improvements have been applied to short track asphalt oval race cars after a lengthy series of testing and tuning. Pit speed limiter programming and rules have also been updated for a more precise pit stop experience. For serious racers and organizers, these kinds of changes can affect race strategy, tire management, and pit execution in visible ways.

Dynamic Track System changes

The Dynamic Track System has been updated with tuning to dust parameters, water drainage systems, and how solar energy behaves on the asphalt, according to the release notes.

Those adjustments are especially relevant for endurance racers, league admins, and broadcast teams because track evolution can influence grip, weather response, and session-to-session consistency. Even without adding a headline feature, these backend changes can alter how a race weekend develops.

New network and UI tools

A new routing option for Race Servers uses Anycast-announced endpoints, allowing the simulation to enter the iRacing network at a closer endpoint even if the Race Server is far away. iRacing says this is intended to bypass public infrastructure routing and connect users more directly to the network.

The Sim UI also gains three new widgets: Track Map, Fuel Calculator, and Incident Tracker. In addition, Controls Profiles can now be used in the Sim to quickly set up, save, and load different control configurations. For players, streamers, and spotters, these tools support quicker setup and better race awareness during live sessions.

Launcher and regional support

The iRacing Launcher now includes a Series Discovery interface to help users browse and target events more easily. iRacing also says Series-Specific Sporting Regulations & Branding has been added, allowing some events to use an additional layer of real-world rules.

Language support for Simplified Chinese has also been added to the launcher. That widens accessibility for more players and communities using the platform.

Newsroom

Taken together, the 2026 Season 3 release is one of iRacing’s broadest seasonal updates, with clear implications for players chasing new content, organizers planning series around revised cars and tracks, and streamers looking for fresh session types to showcase. All confirmed details come from iRacing’s Steam News release notes published by OverdriveAlex.

Byline

Omar Al-Sabah

Straight wire

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