Week 8 • 16 February - 22 February 2026
This week: 50 updates
Four and a half months after Steven Wilson of Spire Motorsports lifted the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Trophy at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown Charlotte, his three championship rivals—Casey Kirwan (Kansas City Pioneers), Vicente Salas (Kanaan Esports) and Zack Novak (Channel 199 Sim Racing)—watched from the sidelines during the 100‑lap event.
Sources
Team Redline driver Luke McKeown earned his second win of the 2026 INDYCAR Thrustmaster iRacing Pro Series at Mid-Ohio, becoming the season’s first multi‑time winner. Meanwhile, Costantini kept a ten‑point championship lead, with the title still to be decided at Laguna Seca.
Sources
Nacon has temporarily halted trading on the stock exchange and called for a rapid implementation of a financial restructuring after Bigben Interactive’s bank blockage and a failure to pay part of €43 million in owed bonds increased the company’s financial stress.
Sources
A new gameplay trailer released for iRacing Arcade offers a fresh look at the career mode’s Campus Building feature, revealing additional details about its design and functionality. The trailer and accompanying article were published on Traxion.GG.
Sources
The article titled "Your guide to iRacing's 12 Hours of Bathurst Special Event" offers readers a complete overview of iRacing's 2026 12 Hours of Bathurst Special Event, promising to provide all necessary information for understanding and participating in the virtual endurance race.
Sources
A deep‑dive video reveals The Crew Motorfest’s new TrackForge creator tool, and the developer announced a free beta will be available on 4 March as part of the Season 9 update. Players can test the track‑building features during this limited‑time trial.
Sources
Rennsport’s upcoming Endurance Classics Part 1 DLC, the game’s first paid‑for expansion, will include the previously teased Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar. The DLC pack adds the 9X8 to the roster, confirming its availability for players upon release.
Sources
Honda Racing Corporation unveiled the “SIM‑02”, a fully functional Gran Turismo 7 simulator constructed within the genuine chassis of a retired NSX‑GT GT500 race car. The setup retains the original cockpit, featuring a force‑feedback wheel, pedals and multiple screens, and will be used for driver training and promotional activities.
Sources
Daniel Faulkingham secured the Great Lakes Gauntlet Finale at Michigan International Speedway on Wednesday, giving the University of Maine at Machias its first tournament win after University of Calgary’s Connor Yeroschak claimed the previous two events. Faulkingham beat Horry Georgetown’s Timothy Holmes in the final.
Sources
Round seven of the INDYCAR Thrustmaster iRacing Pro Series returns to road racing on Thursday night, featuring the 33 top‑ranked virtual INDYCAR iRacers at Mid‑Ohio Sports Car Course. The oval segment concluded last week, leaving two road‑course events remaining on the calendar.
Sources
Rennsport will add the KTM X‑Bow GT2 car and the Laguna Seca circuit to its roster, expanding the sim racing title’s selection of models and tracks. The upcoming content aims to enhance gameplay options for players.
Sources
Marco Massarutto discusses Assetto Corsa EVO's career modes, free‑roam feature, and modding capabilities in a video interview posted on Traxion.GG. The conversation provides insight into Kunos Simulazioni's development approach and highlights new gameplay options for players.
Sources
Kunos Simulazioni co‑founder and executive manager Marco Massarutto explained the reasons behind the recent changes to Assetto Corsa EVO’s career mode, citing player feedback and development priorities. He also outlined upcoming updates, including new content pipelines, improved physics integration, and plans for expanded multiplayer features.
Sources
Kunos confirmed they remain committed to creating the best career mode for Assetto Corsa EVO, but indicated that more fundamental features will be developed first. As a result, the mode may not retain the original experience points and currency system used in previous titles.
Sources
Assetto Corsa EVO will feature a more open modding system than initially planned, according to new details released by the developers. The upcoming racing simulator will include brand‑new tools to facilitate community content creation, expanding customization options for players.
Sources
The historic Lancia Fulvia Coupe HF 1600 will debut in Assetto Corsa Rally’s upcoming v0.3 update, which showcases dynamic wintry weather for the game’s Monte Carlo stages. The announcement was posted on Traxion.gg, confirming the new car and weather features.
Sources
Straight4 Studios has released a new tyre model update for the GT3 class in Project Motor Racing, featuring revised tyre behavior and a range of additional fixes. The announcement was posted on Traxion.GG, highlighting the update as a substantial evolution for the game.
Sources
Tokyo Xtreme Racer’s upcoming PlayStation 5 version will introduce three new cars and a replay mode. The developer also plans to bring these features to the PC edition through future updates, expanding the game’s content across platforms.
Sources
When the console clock passes midnight, a new set of Gran Turismo 7 Weekly Challenges becomes available on Friday morning. The update includes one of the new event types that were introduced in Spec III, adding fresh content for players to compete in.
Sources
A special “Esports Team Competition” race will be broadcast on the official Gran Turismo 7 channels this weekend, marking the first time the GT World Series has publicly embraced the wider esports fraternity. Viewers can watch the competition live on those official channels.
Sources
Gran Turismo 7 introduces a new online time trial mode starring a German driving icon, launching this morning. The solo competitive event commemorates the series’ milestone anniversary, offering players a chance to race against the featured legend’s benchmark times.
Sources
Fanatec has released the new ClubSport GT3 wheel rim. Paired with a ClubSport Universal Hub, two Button Podium Hub, or a Podium Button Module Rally, the rim becomes an affordable, full‑feature racing wheel for sim racers.
Sources
Competition Company announced that the Peugeot 9X8 EVO Hypercar will be included in the Rennsport racing simulator as part of the Endurance Classics Part 1 downloadable content (DLC). The addition expands the simulator’s endurance car roster with the new hypercar model.
Sources
Straight4 Studios has released Update V1.6.0.1 for Project Motor Racing. The patch focuses on refining the GT3 tyre model to better match its intended driving behaviour, improving realism for players. The update was announced on Bsimracing.
Sources
Kunos Simulazioni and 505 Games have released Hotfix Update V0.5.01 for the Assetto Corsa Evo Early Access version. The patch addresses urgent bugs and adds quality‑of‑life improvements, aiming to enhance stability and user experience for current players.
Sources
Nacon Racing released the inaugural episode of its “News From The Pits” video series, offering a behind‑the‑scenes look at the company’s racing initiatives across games, software and hardware. The episode was posted on Bsimracing’s website.
Sources
The iRacing Weekly Tune‑in outlines the upcoming broadcast schedule for February 19‑25 2026, highlighting official iRacing eSports series and selected community events. Viewers can watch live races and special content on iRacing’s official channels throughout the week.
Sources
Sebastian Marin claimed victory as the Top Split winner at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway round of the 2026 eNASCAR Coca‑Cola iRacing Qualifying Series. Although it is too early to determine the series’ top‑30, several drivers, including Marin, have already asserted their contention. The event featured 822 laps.
Sources
The fourth eNASCAR College iRacing Series Tournament, the Great Lakes Gauntlet, powered by the PlayVS College League, will conclude Wednesday night at Michigan International Speedway. Week 2 features the Semifinals, a Semifinal Last Chance Qualifier and the Final Round, with $7,000 in scholarship prizes at stake.
Sources
Traxion.gg reports that Forza Horizon 6 will include roughly 550 cars, combining both returning titles and brand‑new models. The site provides a current list of all confirmed vehicles and highlights which entries are making their debut in the series.
Sources
RAM’s potent pickup truck, the 1500 TRX, will make its debut in the upcoming racing game Forza Horizon 6, the source reported. The announcement confirms the vehicle will be available as a playable model when the title launches, adding another real‑world automobile to the game’s roster.
Sources
Le Mans Ultimate announced that its scheduled 24‑hour team driver‑swap event has been cancelled and substituted with a 12‑hour test session. Organisers cited ongoing technical concerns as the reason for the change, postponing the original endurance competition.
Sources
Rennsport, the driving simulation, will receive the Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar as a new addition. The inclusion has been announced, but specific release timing, pricing, or implementation details have not been provided. The information was published on Traxion.gg.
Sources
Season 9 of The Crew Motorfest launches on 4 March, introducing a new island and NASCAR-style racing. A newly released trailer offers the first glimpse of the NASCAR content, confirming the addition of stock car events alongside the game's existing open‑world racing experience.
Sources
On the latest Traxion Control Podcast, the Traxion team examines why numerous racing games launch in an unfinished state, noting that fully cohesive releases are now rare. They propose several theories about development pressures, market expectations, and production timelines influencing these incomplete launches.
Sources
iRacing Arcade, the arcade‑focused spin‑off of the iRacing simulation, will launch on PC on Tuesday, March 3, after a delay from its originally scheduled December release. The developer also announced a console version is slated for launch during the summer.
Sources
iRacing Arcade, an arcade‑style racing game developed by iRacing Studios and Original Fire Games, launches on Steam on Tuesday, March 3, priced at $24.99. Console versions are scheduled for release in summer 2026, positioning the title as an inexpensive entry point for gamers of all ages.
Sources
Round two of the 2026 eNASCAR Coca‑Cola iRacing Qualifying Series takes place Tuesday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The previous week saw more than 1,300 drivers compete across 37 splits, with Daniel Faulkingham winning the Top Split and other notable competitors remaining within the top‑30.
Sources
iRacing Arcade’s PC version will launch on Steam in March 2026, according to Traxion.gg. The publisher also confirmed that PlayStation and Xbox editions are scheduled for release this Summer, completing the game’s rollout across major platforms within the same year.
Sources
Motorsport UK Esports has announced the British Sim Racing Cup, a multi‑discipline iRacing series that will run on eight UK circuits and feature eight distinct car classes. The competition is scheduled to commence in March.
Sources
Asphalt Legends has been released for the Nintendo Switch 2, offering an upgraded resolution, improved performance, and enhanced visuals compared with the original version. The announcement was published on Traxion.GG, which noted the game’s enhanced edition for the new console.
Sources
Traxion.gg reports that the first Forza Horizon 6 vehicle teaser showcases the Maserati MC20, marking the start of the game's largest launch lineup of cars and signaling the upcoming release hype. The teaser hints at a broader roster of high‑performance models expected throughout the season.
Sources
Tokyo Xtreme Racer is set to receive a new update that teases three additional vehicles, timed to launch alongside the game's PlayStation 5 release. The announcement suggests the update is forthcoming, though details remain limited.
Sources
Recent reports indicate Sony has postponed the PlayStation 6 launch, the console originally slated to host the next Gran Turismo title. This delay introduces uncertainty to Gran Turismo 8’s release schedule, which had been expected to coincide with the new hardware debut.
Sources
The weekly iRacing guide outlines daily and hourly races matched to members’ license levels, and highlights special series scheduled at set times that any qualified driver can join, providing more meaningful sim‑racing experiences. Readers can access full details via the provided link.
Sources
iRacing’s Special Event calendar includes the upcoming Bathurst 12 race, offering participants a range of disciplines such as stock cars, sports cars, open‑wheel formula cars and sprint cars on both pavement and dirt. Players can compete solo or with friends in team formats.
Sources
Traxion.gg publishes a comprehensive list of every vehicle available in the PC and PlayStation 5 reboot of Tokyo Xtreme Racer, detailing each car’s Blueprint (BP) and Credit Point (CP) costs. The guide serves as a reference for players seeking full vehicle information.
Sources
Gear.Club Unlimited 3 includes a roster of real‑world licensed vehicles from manufacturers across the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, a rarity for a Nintendo Switch racing title. The article lists the complete car selection available in the game.
Sources
Gear.Club Unlimited 3, released for Nintendo Switch, celebrates the series’ tenth anniversary and seeks to address the scarcity of serious Switch racing titles by featuring licensed road cars. However, the review notes the game feels grounded and lacks the finesse of higher‑end competitors.
Sources
GT7 introduces a new weekly lineup of Daily Races, offering three ranked online multiplayer events that players can compete in over the next seven days. The fresh set aims to provide varied challenges and keep the competitive scene active throughout the week.
Sources