2026 Season 1 Patch 3 Release Notes [2026.02.02.02]

2026 Season 1 Patch 3 Release Notes [2026.02.02.02]

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This Patch Release contains updates and fixes for 2026 Season 1.

iRacing

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Sessions

• A new User Preference has been added, which automatically launches a Session for which you are registered once it becomes available.

• You can enable this auto-launch feature in Settings > Preferences.

Steam Members

• Improved the purchase flow for our iRacing Members who use Steam.

• Fixed navigation errors when clicking payment-related buttons and streamlined the process of making purchases through Steam.

• Customers are no longer directed to the Legacy Membersite to complete purchases.

iRacing Simulator

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Race Servers

• Fixed an issue where some interim session results were not always being transmitted to customer clients by the race server.

Physics

• Fixed an issue where some cones could be extra-bouncy at a select few tracks.

AI Racing

• AI Drivers have improved their racing skills with the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Class Cars.

• AI Drivers have graduated from a specialized training course for the Porsche 911 Cup (992.2) focusing on preventing the car from rolling over.

Graphics

• For a variety of NASCAR tracks, updated the Musco lighting near pit road so that they illuminate properly at night.

User Interface

• Fixed an issue where the focus car was changing unexpectedly or not being preserved in Replays.

• Fixed an issue where accented consonants and other special characters weren't displaying correctly in text chat.

Spotter

• The Spanish language spotter pack has been updated.

• Fixed an issue with incorrect spotter calls related to a variety of vehicle wings.

Controls

• Wheel definitions have been added for Simucube link port devices (v3 wheel bases).

Cars

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GTP Class Cars

• Wet tire treads have been adjusted so they do not appear to wear at the same rate as dry tire treads. This was a visual issue only.

• iRacing setups have been updated.

NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Cars

• These cars have been updated to the 2026 engine and graphics packages.

• A-post flaps have been added.

• These additions to the A pillars are flaps hooked up to the roof flaps to help prevent the cars from getting airborne.

• Short Track Oval tire parameters have been updated.

• iRacing setups have been updated.

NASCAR O’Reilly Series Cars

• These cars' names and branding have been updated with the new O’Reilly Auto Parts Series primary sponsorship to match the real world!

• The Xfinity branding has been retired.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Cars

• The branding has been updated to the 2026 NASCAR season.

Cadillac CTS-V Racecar

• For the damage model, the scrape damage effects have been tuned.

Dallara IR18

• The Nashville Superspeedway package, affecting engine power, aerodynamics, and tires, has been updated to more closely align with the real series.

• iRacing setups have been updated.

Global Mazda MX-5 Cup

• The physics properties for the trunk lid have been updated. It should behave more realistically in collisions.

NASCAR Cup Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• This vehicle has had its body shell updated to the 2026 season package.

• This was a complete rebuild of the body and therefore paint schemes will need to be adjusted to match the new shape.

Super Formula Lights

• Brake bias is now fully adjustable during Fixed Setup racing sessions.

• Repair bindings have been removed for mounts that do not exist.

Super Late Model

• For the damage model, the durability of the nose panel has been increased slightly.

• iRacing setups have been updated.

Tracks

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Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez (Mexico City)

• Additional slowdown penalty areas have been added for cutting the course using pit entry.

• (Grand Prix, Grand Prix Historic, & National Historic) - Fixed a course cut exploit.

Daytona International Speedway

• Some tire barrier instancing systems have been optimized.

• NASCAR branding has been updated.

Miami International Autodrome

• Fixed an off-track exploit that could result in faster Qualifying times.

Portland International Speedway

• Fixed an exploit where the area between the yellow line and white hash marks at pit exit was not correctly considered part of pit road.