Allied Esports Entertainment and NASCAR plan to bring an 18-wheel gaming truck to seven NASCAR Cup Series races.
Photo credit: Business Wire
The global esports entertainment company Allied Esports and America’s most popular racing institution NASCAR announced a new joint project this Wednesday. With the Allied Esports Truck, the partners will bring esports racing to seven stops on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar. This also features the race at Watkins Glen this weekend, as both companies stated in a press release.
The aim is to “bring gaming activations to racing fans in 2021” and they will certainly be a welcomed side activity at the races. The 80-foot vehicle weighs 35 tons and boasts “a main stage, caster booth, roof deck and full production capabilities”.
From casual to full on simulation
There are several games to play on the truck, mostly casual titles such as Rocket League and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However, the organisers also promised a full-on simulation experience with iRacing. In addition, there will be a few select dates that haven’t been disclosed yet on which fans can also play a demo of Motorsport Games’ upcoming NASCAR 21.
NASCAR sports a rich history and has supported esports for years now, hosting the famed eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series 2021. Nick Rend, NASCAR’s managing director of gaming, pointed out: “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”. Only one month ago, NASCAR discontinued the iRacing Pro Invitational series, an event which pitted top NASCAR racers in the virtual world, due to scheduling issues and declining interest. This announcement is therefore a reassurance to esports racing that NASCAR is still committed to exploring the virtual competition.
Where will the truck make appearances?
Seven stops are scheduled to feature this eyecatcher of a vehicle. After the first appearance at Watkins Glen, New York, the truck will – among other places – also come to the legendary Daytona International Speedway in late August, before concluding the tour in Phoenix, Arizona, in November. The full list looks as follows:
| Date | Place |
| 6-8 August | Watkins Glen |
|---|---|
| 21-22 August | Michigan International Speedway |
| 27-28 August | Daytona International Speedway |
| 2-3 October | Talladega Superspeedway |
| 23-24 October | Kansas Speedway |
| 30-31 October | Ridgeway |
| 4-7 November | Phoenix Raceway |
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