Episode 0522 - iRacers Lounge Podcast

2/26/2026 – A Smurfing We Will Go – Episode 0522

iRacers Lounge Podcast – Conversation Topics

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Opening Audio Clip -“Your listening to the iRacers Lounge Podcast where we discuss everything iRacing, in a casual setting, enjoy.”`

READ THIS AT THE TOP OF EACH SHOW!!!

Welcome to the iRacer’s Lounge, I am your host “XXX”. iRacer’s Lounge is a podcast for the iRacer, where we talk all things iRacing in a casual setting.
Joining me are the usual characters, ————

Show Introduction

On today’s show; the 2026 Season 2 Development Blog is out, find out the truth about upgrades, why is the Simucube 3 so complicated?, see why sim racing is so hard, can a high iRating impress the ladies?, which retired NASCAR driver reached out for 3-D printer help and why in the world is everyone taking about Smurfs?

And remember you can follow along with us on your PC or mobile device in real time as you listen to the show and see for yourself all of the great topics and products we’ll discuss by visiting iracerslounge.com and selecting show notes. Hope to see you there..

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Topics

Sim Racing…Van Life

Ouch!

PRS ENASCAR Factory Pass

Lack Of Communication

https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/92832/lack-of-communication-from-iracing-to-their-paying-customers

2026 Season 2 Development Blog

https://www.iracing.com/iracing-development-update-february-2026

https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/92874/2026-season-2-track-retirement-barber-motorsports-park

Can’t Impress The Ladies

iSmurfing

https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/92788/smurfing-has-become-a-black-eye-for-this-service

Driver Tagging System

https://simdeck.app/

https://www.reddit.com/r/iRacing/comments/1rdahxq/simdeck_1130_is_out_new_community_tagging_system/

Why Sim Racing Is Hard

3-2-1…Lift Off

Bathurst 12HR Server Issues

https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/92705/bathurst-special-event-12gmt-launch-issues

Team Chatter

eNASCAR And iRacing Showcased

Build Your Campus

Race Control Pro By VCO

https://race-control.pro

A Better Explanation

2026 Sim Gaming Expo Tickets

Sim Racing Expo – Charlotte, NC

May 22 – May 24, 2026

LVRY To Sponsor The Ring On iRacing

Porsche Esports Supercup Is Back

MEC Round 2: Sebring 6HR

https://majorsseries.com/event/sebring-6-hour—round-22026

VCO Infinity 6

Majors Sebring 2HR

https://majorsseries.com/event/sebring-classic-2h2026-2

This Week In iRacing

https://www.iracing.com/this-week-in-iracing-february-24th-to-march-2nd-2026

Podcast Housekeeping

Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform to make it easier for more listeners to find the podcast. Mention the podcast to your fellow drivers so they don’t miss out, we would appreciate it.

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New Website – Leave Comments https://www.iracerslounge.com/

We are in the regular rotation… (Mike)

https://performancemotorsportsnetwork.com/

iRacers Lounge Merch!!!

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Visit iRacerslounge.shop to get yours Today!

Fantasy

Hardware/Software

Simworx V3.2 Pedals

https://simworx.com.au/product/pro-gt-v3-2-simulator-pedal-set/

Rig Metal Chassis

https://rigmetal.com/products/rigmetal-flagship-sim-racing-cockpit

The Hard Truth About Upgrades

Sim Motion 160MM Premium Chassis

https://simmotion.com/products/sim-motion-160mm-premium-aluminum-extrusion-chassis

Wheel Base Wraps

It’s Complicated

Helping Jr.

Results

NASCAR iRacing Series

Friday Open – NiS – Echo Park Speedway

David – P4, late race pit strategy got me track position after fixing minutes worth of damage
Brad- P3 Started p12 and was able to stay up front most of the race. Race ended with a few GWC but was able to hold on to p3. I tried Justin Pearson, I really tried.

Sunday Fixed- NiS – Echo Park Speedway

Mike- P 22 got wrecked out from the lead with about 30 to go just basically tapped in the corner from behind and it turned me around six minutes damage just limp it home from there-
Chris – P wrecked by a lap car

Wednesday Open -NiS – COTA

Chris – P 3. After a rough Atlanta I was looking forward to COTA. Q’d 3rd in bottom split. Went to second and separated from the field after turn 1. Got the lead and held it for about 15 laps. When putting I drove it in the tire barrier! Ugh. Limped it home to P3. We will see how Friday goes.
David – P17, coming to the line lap 2 a veers to the left over reacting to a car spinning on his outside. He apparently didn’t know I was his left.
Brad- P13 Top Split – I’ll take it as this was my only chance for a start this week. I was slow compared to the leader but kept it on the track the whole race and did not have any major issues. This place is better in this configuration and the adjusted track limits or lack thereof made the event much less stressful compared to previous years.
Greg -P14

Thursday Open- NiS – COTA

Mike- P4 started. P10 ended up having a two or three lazy spins on my own. I actually sped getting off Pitt Road as I was trying to get a drink of water and I end up having to come back in for a 15 second hold got as high as P3, but finished P4. We will take it real happy with this finish. Don’t really like this track.

Official Series

Ring Meister

Mike – P GT three cars got pole position in the first race was leading, but hit a curb and spun off.
- Then started second, but spun off on my own after hitting a curb
- Then started on Paul got about a 1 point5 second gap and then touched the curbs and spread out and killed the car
- P2- finally got a finish but had nothing for the leader. He was faster than me the whole time and pulled away but a great point day.
- Then started on pole position and finished P3 had nothing for the two leaders they were just playing faster than me.

League / Hosted Races

Grass Roots Racing

GTP/GT3 League – Interlagos Sprint Race

William W – P24 – By far my worst and least favorite track. Struggled in quali and started 6th. Some super close racing in the first few laps. Got to 5th and got stuck there until the pits. I find it very hard to pass here without a huge pace advantage. After pits got stuck between two mercs. The first was struggling mightily in the turns but I just couldn’t find a way around. With about 7 laps to go the merc behind me hit me going into turn 1 and never really had control of the car after that and had to hit the brakes to keep from spinning into turn 2. Merc behind hit me again and broke the right rear suspension. Let my emotions get the best of me and tried to race him with the broken car going towards 4 and took us both out. End of the night.
Elbows Out Racing League (LMP2 and GT3 Wednesday Nights)
- William- P4 – Monza – This was a planned rain race, and upon loading in it looked like the rain was ending either at the end of quali or the first couple of laps of the race. But it POURED for the first 6 or 7 laps. Again spotty rain comes to monsoon. I’ll post a video on the discord later, but the first 3 laps in the spray my entire screen was white. I still have fun though, and if I hadn’t absolutely murdered my pit strat I think I would have been racing the top 3. I was going to put fuel to try to run until the track dried but I thought it would be earlier when I saw the forecast I thought the track would dry faster than it did and wound up having to pit about 5 laps before the track was ready for dry tires. Once the dry line came in i was equal to fastest on track.

Hosted-

Ellis – P supercars at Indy. They threw a competition caution, but one lap too soon so it turned into a fuel mileage race and I almost won it finished P2.
- Pick up cup at Charlotte finish P4.

Final Thoughts

Words Spoken in Closing Audio Clip -“”Thank you for listening to the iRacers Lounge podcast make sure to go subscribe to us on iTunes, SoundCloud, or Google Play, Facebook & Twitter, See You On The Track .”

TITLE

A Smurfing We Will Go

Description

So sit back, relax and join us on the iRacers Lounge Podcast.

iRacers Lounge Podcast is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, Podbean, Spreaker, Podbay, PodFanatic, Overcast, Amazon, and other podcast players.

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Hosts:

Mike Ellis – https://x.com/mikedeanellis

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Donnie Spiker – https://www.instagram.com/spikerman19/

Brad Wrenn – https://x.com/bradwrenn

John Kerley – https://x.com/KerleyJohnE

Justin Pearson – https://www.facebook.com/justin.pearson.5811

Bobby Jonas – https://x.com/bjonas71

William Westbrook – https://www.facebook.com/william.westbrook.35

Kris Randall – https://www.signalcraftstudio.com/