Street racing is no longer a novelty in iRacing — it’s the next frontier. Since the release of the Chicago Street Course in 2023, iRacing has proven that temporary city tracks can look and feel as detailed as purpose-built circuits. Now, the rumor mill is heating up again. Several new layouts are said to be in development, led by San Diego, Detroit, and Arlington.
Each of these venues ties directly to real-world racing growth, and all have connections that make an iRacing debut increasingly likely.
San Diego: The Naval Base Experiment
The strongest lead is the San Diego Street Circuit at Naval Base Coronado, which NASCAR officially confirmed for 2026. Multiple executives have already stated that iRacing helped design the track, and drivers have tested virtual versions to refine the layout.
That collaboration almost guarantees a digital release at some point. The only question is when. Based on past patterns, San Diego could appear in late 2026 or early 2027, much like how Chicago was released ahead of its real-world debut.
For iRacing, San Diego would deliver a distinctive setting — fighter jets, harbor views, and long coastal straights inside a working naval base.
It would mark one of the most ambitious and patriotic venues in sim racing history.
Detroit: Returning to the Motor City
The Detroit Grand Prix has shifted from Belle Isle to a downtown street circuit, reviving an urban layout that wraps around Jefferson Avenue and the city’s riverfront. With IndyCar and IMSA both running there, fans have long asked when it might join iRacing’s expanding street-race roster.
There’s reason to think it could be coming. The Detroit track’s promoters have a close partnership with General Motors, which has deep ties to iRacing through Chevrolet’s factory racing programs. Additionally, the Belle Isle circuit previously appeared in other sims under the same promoter, which could simplify licensing.
The tight corners and long riverfront straights would give iRacing members a mix of technical driving and raw power, ideal for GT3 and IndyCar racing.
Arlington: The Wild Card
The surprise rumor centers on Arlington, Texas, where local officials have floated the idea of a temporary course near AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field. While not yet confirmed, NASCAR insiders hinted that preliminary layouts were modeled in iRacing during internal testing.
If it happens, Arlington could become NASCAR’s third street course, following Chicago and San Diego. The layout would likely combine wide boulevards with stadium-district scenery, offering a fast, fan-friendly environment designed for large-scale events.
For iRacing, the Arlington circuit would showcase how quickly the sim can adapt — building out real-world proposals before they even break ground.
Why Street Circuits Fit iRacing So Well
Street circuits highlight iRacing’s greatest strength: accuracy. Each barrier, manhole, and painted line adds to the sense of realism. Modern photogrammetry allows iRacing to recreate real cities with near-perfect precision, capturing the feel of tight walls, camber changes, and narrow sightlines.
Unlike traditional tracks, street circuits also attract a wider range of users.
Casual racers enjoy the visual immersion, while pros use them to prepare for real-world events — just as drivers did for Chicago and L.A.
What Comes Next
If even two of these rumored tracks make it to release, 2026 could become the “Year of the Street Circuit” in iRacing. San Diego appears to be a lock, Detroit looks increasingly realistic, and Arlington remains the exciting unknown.
Each new addition pushes the simulator deeper into mainstream motorsport — where virtual design leads to real racing, and real racing comes back home to the sim.
