If you’re heading to a NASCAR race any time soon, chances are you may run into NASCAR’s latest gaming initiative in certain fan zones or midways. Starting this weekend at Watkins Glen Int’l in Upstate New York, NASCAR and Allied Esports are bringing racing games to the race fans at the track.
The Allied Esports 18-wheel gaming truck will set up shop in the Watkins Glen fan zone to engage racing fans with esports, racing games and other fun events to participate in. The arena is 80 feet long. It includes a “main stage, caster booth, roof deck and full production capabilities.” The Glen is the first of seven total stops this season.
The participation area of the stage will feature iRacing, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Rocket League, altogether a mix between simulation racing, arcade racing, and one of NASCAR‘s latest activations with the popular goal scoring with cars platform. On some select weekends, likely later in the season, fans will get a first opportunity to play a limited demo of the new NASCAR 21 video game that is coming soon from Motorsport Games.
“The integration of gaming into major sporting events is a family-focused, entertaining way to attract new audiences and brands,” said Jud Hannigan, CEO of Allied Esports. “The Allied Esports Truck shines a spotlight on gamers and the communities they live in, and we are thrilled to partner with NASCAR to bring racing and gaming fans across the country a new race weekend experience.”
Race fans will also have a chance to play for prizes and giveaways throughout each weekend that the gaming truck is in attendance. The finale on 7th November at the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in Phoenix, Arizona will be the final stop on the tour. The hope is to expand the program further in the 2022 racing season.
“Gaming has had a massive impact on the world of NASCAR over the past year and a half, to the point where it is now undeniably part of the sport’s DNA in the digital age,” said Nick Rend, Managing Director of Gaming at NASCAR. “With that in mind, as fans across the nation return to our race tracks this summer and fall, we believe it’s crucial that gaming plays a central role in that on-site NASCAR experience. Allied Esports is helping us accomplish that in a truly unique way.”
18-WHEEL GAMING TRUCK ACTIVATION DATES:
- August 6-8 – Go Bowling at the Glen, Watkins Glen, New York
- August 21-22 – FireKeepers Casino 400, Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn Michigan
- August 27-28 – Coke Zero Sugar 400, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
- October 2-3 – YellaWood 500, Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, Alabama
- October 23-24 – Hollywood Casino 400, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas
- October 30-31 – NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville, Ridgeway, Virginia
- November 4-7 – NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway, Phoenix, Arizona
I’m even more upset that I won’t be heading to my home track this weekend, but alas, still a cool bit of information. Let us all at Traxion know what you think about these big rig gaming experiences if you happen to experience it at any point this season.
