NASCAR’s Collab With $32 Billion Developer Has Fans in a Daze

Gone are the days when racing fans had only one way to experience what they love. Driving down to the racetracks to witness their favorite drivers engage in nerve-wracking racing was the only way to get a real feel of the sport. However, standing in 2025, gearheads have several entertainment opportunities in their hands, like playing video games. NASCAR is actively tapping this resource via a dazzling partnership that is sure to mesmerize gaming fans.

The stock car racing series has evolved its digital gaming landscape. Its gaming segment moved from fans enjoying console and PC platforms to Twitch streamers playing Roblox. Now a massive user-generated platform will amplify NASCAR’s interactive media ambition – drawing fans’ surprise.

NASCAR has struck a snazzy new dealADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Driving through the tricky turns of Chicago Street Course or the high-banked concrete of Talladega Superspeedway – something only NASCAR drivers do, right? Well not anymore, as the sport has unveiled new opportunities for fans to immerse themselves in this experience. NASCAR already partnered with award-winning UK metaverse studio, Karta, back in July, right in time for the Chicago race. It officially entered the $32 Billion Fortnite ecosystem, wherein players can navigate multiple routes, master the art of speed and drift, and avoid obstacles in intense multiplayer races or solo time trials. Now this collaboration just got a boost for the new season.

The 2025 season already holds a lot of surprises for fans – ranging from an international race in Mexico to shuffled playoff races. NASCAR’s elevated gaming efforts with Epic Games, the gaming software developer, just spiced up the season. A Fortnite/ Rocket League insider updated the latest news: “A Fortnite x NASCAR Collaboration is set to be released this year 🔥In case you missed it, the collaboration will include new vehicles, official racing tracks, and more!” Ever since Fortnite first stepped into the sport, three tracks have debuted in the Rocket Racing mode, including the recently released Talladega Superspeedway track.

A Fortnite x NASCAR Collaboration is set to be released this year 🔥

In case you missed it, the collaboration will include new vehicles, official racing tracks, and more! pic.twitter.com/0315ybzidM

— Sam (@SamLeakss) January 5, 2025

Nick Rend, Managing Director of Esports & Gaming at NASCAR, trumpeted his enthusiasm for this digital venture. “Fortnite provides the perfect platform to engage a global audience, blending the intensity of NASCAR racing with the immersive world of Fortnite. Karta, with their incredible creativity, attention to detail, and innovative approach, were the perfect partners to help us bring this vision to life.” Karta is a renowned metaverse studio, working with Fortnite and Roblox. Karta also builds, markets, and monetizes brand experiences for companies like Spotify.

Their views align with the direction NASCAR wants to go, which is appealing to a younger audience. “We believe that more and more of human life will be played out inside of virtual worlds and this will inevitably change every industry that needs to engage young people,” said Erik Londre, CEO and Founder of Karta.

Rend continues, “We wanted to build something with longevity for both diehard NASCAR enthusiasts and the wider Fortnite community and we think we have succeeded with just that.” With iRacing taking over NASCAR’s official gaming license in 2025, fans will have a major video gaming treat this season.

And Fortnite’s announcement elicited buoyant reactions from the community.

Fans are pumped to welcome the new gaming bondADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

TrendingNASCAR has been boosting its gaming efforts for the past couple of years. Some of its other gaming partners include NASCAR Manager, NASCAR Tycoon, and Driving Empire (Roblox). Now Fortnite is on the block to allow fans to drive virtually while their favorite racers battle it out. So fans are pumped, and somebody wrote the timing could not be more perfect. “I would assume Nascar comes in February with the first race of the season at Daytona? That would be really cool actually.” Another fan cannot control their excitement and pleads with Epic Games to push things faster. “Hurry up Epic and take my money. They better be able to be used in normal BR mode.”

Some gearheads were excited about this new deal but with reservations. Authenticity is the demand of the day and fans want to experience NASCAR as best as possible. So somebody dropped a demand that their favorite models should be included. “As awesome as that sounds, I do hope the original NASCAR bodies will also transfer over. I paid all that money for those cars so might as well have them in the game 😂😂” Until now, Fortnite has released only three racetracks for fans’ consumption. However, the audience demands more hallowed venues to enter its digital landscape. “If there’s no tracks based on Daytona, Pocono, Martinsville or Sonoma then I don’t want it >:(“

At the actual NASCAR racetracks, the three OEMs keep fighting viciously. Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota drivers often get into bitter rivalries and conflicts with each other. However, this collaboration with Fortnite is witnessing a rare marvel – the OEMs are on the same page! One fan pointed that out: “this is probably the only time that there will be a collab with toyota, ford, and chevrolet coming to fortnite at the same time.”

Article continues below this ad

Clearly, NASCAR’s new gaming efforts are drumming up a lot of hype. Now we only have a month left before the drama kicks off!

Challenge Your Sports Knowledge!Solve the puzzle and prove your knowledge of iconic players, terms, and moments.