The ARCA iRacing series doesn’t get the respect it deserves. If you’ve driven the Chevrolet ARCA Menards or the Ford ARCA, you already know why. Big oval power, a looser rear end than a Cup car, and a chassis that rewards smooth, committed driving. On the right oval, these cars are genuinely exciting to race.
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The problem is the D-class environment the ARCA iRacing series currently sits in. A community thread that picked up 67 upvotes made the case plainly: the ARCA cars are being wasted. However, there’s a clear blueprint for how to fix it. It’s called the NASCAR iRacing Series.
What the Community Is Asking For
The core request is simple. Create a B-class ARCA iRacing series that follows the full real-world ARCA Menards Series schedule. Move the class up to B license, which requires a higher license tier. That means drivers who have demonstrated they can complete laps without causing unnecessary chaos. Run proper race distances instead of the abbreviated formats that D-class series typically use.
The thread also made a specific suggestion worth taking seriously: model it on the NASCAR iRacing Series. NIS follows the actual Cup Series calendar and runs the correct cars at the correct tracks. In addition, it uses race formats that match the real-world event. As a result, it’s one of the most respected official iRacing series. A B-class ARCA series structured the same way would give these cars the home they deserve.
Why B-Class Makes Sense for the ARCA iRacing Series
The real ARCA Menards Series sits between lower regional feeder series and NASCAR Xfinity in prestige and competitiveness. B-class in iRacing requires a B license. That means drivers have already put in the time to build safety records. They consistently finish races at C-class level or above before moving up.
That’s the right driver pool for a proper ARCA simulation. These are drivers who understand how to manage oval traffic and race to a pit cycle. They also know how to respect position battles. The current D-class environment is where drivers are still learning all of that. Consequently, the ARCA cars deserve a better home.
The NIS Blueprint
The NASCAR iRacing Series works because it has structure. There’s a points battle across a full season and a playoff format that mirrors real NASCAR. Race formats create genuine strategic situations. As a result, drivers who race NIS are invested in a season, not just a single week. Furthermore, it follows the real Cup calendar. The series runs on the same tracks at roughly the same time of year as the actual Cup Series.
A B-class ARCA iRacing series structured the same way would create identical conditions. The ARCA Menards calendar features iconic short tracks, superspeedways, and road courses. Additionally, the ARCA East and West schedules offer events that could fill out a full iRacing season. That gives drivers a proper championship to chase.
Why This Matters
The ARCA Menards Series isn’t niche. It has a loyal following, races at iconic tracks, and produces drivers who go on to compete at the highest levels of NASCAR. Therefore, it deserves a proper simulation home at the right license level. Full-length races following the real schedule would be a meaningful step forward. That would show how seriously iRacing treats its oval ladder.
The community already wants it. The cars already exist in the sim. The NIS blueprint already works. The ask is simple: take the ARCA cars, move them to B-class, follow the real schedule, and run proper race distances. That’s a series that builds a fanbase and does justice to the cars.
