SimCraft’s NASCAR Simulator Gets Official Cup Series Approval
On January 10, 2025, SimCraft’s APEX 6 GT motion simulator became one of the very few systems officially approved by NASCAR for use in the NASCAR Cup Series. This decision, formalized under Section 13.5 (Driver-in-the-Loop) of the NASCAR rule book, marks a new chapter in motorsport simulation.
The first APEX 6 GT installation, with compliant motion specifications, is already underway at Legacy Motor Club, where seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson is preparing to bring next-level technology into the shop for real-time race preparation and vehicle development.
After experiencing the SimCraft APEX6, I was amazed by its realistic feel and immediately knew I was hooked. I was even left wondering how such authenticity was achieved, given that nothing else I've tried can match the real-world vehicle experience, regardless of price. SimCraft takes driver training and vehicle development to an entirely new level.
Inside New Simulator Performance Standards for a NASCAR Racing Simulator: Why This Matters
Following a NASCAR rule update referenced in Section 13.5 of the NASCAR Rule Book, simulators intended for Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) applications must now be formally approved for use in the Cup Series. While the full text of the regulation is not publicly available, the approval process ensures that motion systems meet NASCAR’s internal standards for performance, reliability, and use in official team operations.
SimCraft worked in coordination with NASCAR officials to align the APEX 6 GT with these technical requirements. Unlike generic or arcade-style simulators, the APEX 6 GT passed the Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) approval process because of its physics-first foundation, independent degrees of freedom, and replicable vehicle dynamics.
Why does this matter? In high-stakes racing, driver feel is critical. If your simulator teaches the wrong reflexes, you’re losing performance on race day. With official NASCAR approval, SimCraft eliminates that risk by providing what engineers call translational seat time—practice that actually transfers to the real world.
Why the APEX 6 GT Is a Game-Changer for NASCAR Simulation
At the heart of SimCraft’s NASCAR simulator approval is the APEX 6 GT’s unique motion architecture. Most motion systems rely on brute-force platforms—heavy actuators that move the cockpit like a forklift lifting a crate. The result? Mechanical latency, unrealistic motion links, and driver fatigue.
SimCraft’s APEX 6 GT is built around a center-of-mass motion design, meaning the cockpit rotates and translates around the driver’s natural axis—just like a real race car. Roll, pitch, and yaw are all controlled independently, offering six full degrees of motion. This precision not only mirrors vehicle behavior accurately, it provides the right motion cues for the driver to respond instinctively.
A 2023 study from Michigan State University compared SimCraft to traditional seat movers and found the SimCraft system yielded superior lap-time progression, cognitive engagement, and physical responses almost identical to real-world driving conditions (see Motorsport Simulator Assessment for Optimal Performance, David P. Ferguson PhD FACSM CEP, Spartan Motorsport Performance Laboratory, Michigan State University).
Think of it this way: most simulators are like trying to learn guitar on a piano. The APEX 6 GT puts a real instrument in your hands.
Legacy Motor Club Installs First Approved SimCraft System
The first Cup Series team to deploy SimCraft’s newly approved system is Legacy Motor Club, co-owned by Jimmie Johnson. The team wasted no time incorporating the APEX 6 GT into their development pipeline, aiming to reduce travel dependencies and gain more in-shop simulator time for drivers and engineers.
Having the APEX 6 GT approved for NASCAR Cup-level use is a huge milestone for SimCraft. The days of anyone having to spend millions on a hi-fidelity DIL sim are over. Our approach to the construction of our systems, and the subsequent costs to build them allow teams running multiple cars to afford multiple systems, eliminating the classic bottleneck for seat time and general access.
Legacy’s installation signals a key move away from centralized, shared simulator hubs toward in-house, team-controlled systems. With NASCAR’s approval, teams can now train on their own terms—without relying on external facilities or risking exposure of sensitive setup data.
Leveling the Field: Simulator Access Without the Bottlenecks
Historically, Driver-in-the-Loop simulators have been expensive, complex, and often located far from a team’s home base. Only a few top-tier teams had access, and even then, seat time was limited by scheduling conflicts or shared usage.
SimCraft has flipped the script.
Because of its ease-of-use and lower total system cost, SimCraft’s APEX 6 GT enables multiple units per team. Instead of fighting over simulator hours, pro NASCAR Cup Series teams can now run parallel programs for car setup, driver development, and rookie training.
We are disrupting the existing model of simulators in NASCAR which limits access, requires travel from the shop, and in some cases requires sharing IP with on track competition.
This is particularly critical for multi-car teams, where each crew chief may require custom setup refinement, and each driver has unique data needs.
What Drivers Are Saying About SimCraft’s Realism
It’s one thing to claim realism—it’s another when championship-caliber drivers say it outright.
After stepping out of the APEX 6 GT for the first time, Jimmie Johnson was “left wondering how such authenticity was achieved.”
That reaction echoes what professional racers across disciplines have said about SimCraft racing simulators. Drivers from IMSA, F1 junior series, Trans-Am, and the NASCAR ladder system are already using SimCraft to train for real-world races. In fact, SimCraft clients have claimed over 75 real-world wins in a single season, many citing simulator time as critical to their race-weekend preparation.
Whether it’s GTD, Xfinity, or the Cup Series, the key advantage is the same: SimCraft simulates feel, not just visuals or force feedback. That makes it far more than a “racing game”—it’s a true NASCAR simulator that translates into faster laps and fewer mistakes.
SimCraft’s Vision: Redefining Driver Development in NASCAR and sim racing
NASCAR’s approval may be a milestone, but SimCraft’s goal goes far beyond a single series of stock cars. The company is positioned as the standard in motion simulation, not just for elite race teams, but for training academies, eSports development, and grassroots driver progression.
What sets SimCraft apart is its foundational philosophy: build motion systems based on rigid body dynamics, not entertainment cues. This is not marketing jargon. It means every motion—yaw, pitch, roll—happens exactly as it would in a car. No artificial movement. No mechanical guesswork.
That design ethos has made SimCraft the preferred choice of:
- Skip Barber Racing School
- Wayne Taylor Racing
- Alpha Prime Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series
- Scott Pruett (12-time champion)
- Jordan Taylor, Paul Tracy, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Jimmie Johnson, and more
And with the launch of the GRID1 yaw simulator, SimCraft is also expanding access to eNASCAR sim racing cockpit competitors and driver development programs across the country.
Whether it’s pro driver-in-the-loop prep or teenage kart-to-car training, the goal is the same: simulate it like it’s real.
Join the Evaluation: SimCraft Demos for Pro NASCAR Teams
To support NASCAR teams in evaluating the APEX 6 GT, SimCraft is hosting private demonstration events in Mooresville, NC this March.
Each demo session is tailored to individual team needs. Teams interested in scheduling a session can reach out to TJ Halsema, Director of Driver Development at SimCraft.
Slots are limited—multiple Cup Series and Xfinity teams are already booked.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between SimCraft and other motion simulators?
SimCraft’s APEX 6 GT is built on center-of-mass physics, providing independent control over yaw, pitch, and roll. Most other simulators use actuators to push the chassis—leading to delayed or mechanically linked motion. SimCraft simulates what a car feels like, not just how it moves.
Is the APEX 6 GT only for professional teams?
How accurate is the simulator compared to real driving?
Third-party research (Michigan State University Spartan Motorsport Lab, 2023) shows SimCraft’s system produces driver workload, heart rate, and focus patterns that are 90% similar to real racing in GT3 cars. It’s the closest thing to track time without burning fuel.
Can I customize the simulator for different cars or tracks?
Yes. SimCraft simulators are software-agnostic and integrate with any iRacing series, Assetto Corsa, rFactor, and other pro series platforms. From Cup cars at Martinsville to GT3s at Le Mans—if the software can model it, SimCraft can move it.
