3/20/2025 – Spent Mike’s Money – Episode 0477
iRacers Lounge Podcast – Conversation Topics
Show Introduction
On today’s show we get you caught on the 2025 Season 2 Patch 1, see what iRacing needs to add to dirt racing, what sim racing traps to avoid, show you how to get the perfect position in your sim rig, find out what Mike is spending his money on and did a sim to reality driver just win his first NASCAR Cup race?
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..
TITLE SPONSOR READ:
https://www.premierracingsetups.com/
Topics
NASCAR Refresh
New Stats Site!
2025 Season 2 Patch 1
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/76457/2025-season-2-patch-1-release-notes-2024-03-16-01
What Does Dirt Need?
What are the 5 BIGGEST things iRacing needs to add to make dirt racing undeniable on their platform? With the 2025 Season 2 build dropping and little dirt updates, it’s time to talk about what’s missing and how iRacing can take dirt racing to the next level.
In this video, we’ll cover:
✅ The cushion model and why it needs an overhaul
✅ Why we need updated dirt cars (Longhorn, Rocket, Maxim, etc.)
✅ How better hosted session options could change league racing
✅ The water truck feature that could make track conditions more dynamic
✅ Dirty air, and how adding it would transform racing on the sim.
Dirt racing in iRacing has huge potential, but these five changes would make it unstoppable! If you agree (or disagree), drop a comment with what you’d like to see changed!
2025 F2 Grid SOF 5,000
https://twitter.com/iRacing/status/1900749759377256752
New Lighting Changes
https://twitter.com/LostSchemes/status/1902495514832073190
https://x.com/DanSuzukiTV/status/1902441751861727279
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHZBvrDyTI9/?igsh=X25RT2IyN2g0
https://x.com/iRacing/status/1902742109850857749
Garret Lowe Racing Update
https://x.com/GarrettLowe_6/status/1902707361975763017
Bussa Has A Point
https://twitter.com/MattBussa/status/1901411691981668647
https://twitter.com/ENASCARGG/status/1902341900134121499
AI Coaching=Faster?
How Was Your 2025 Season 1?
https://twitter.com/iRacing/status/1902397901692678320
Contest Time
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/76592/season-02-2025-contests/p1
Mini Stocks At Monza!
NASCAR 25 More Immersion
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHL35w9NUzd/?igsh=QkFLSjVvT241ag%3D%3D
Sim Racing Traps To Avoid
Giving up too easy
Unsafe Rejoins
Neglecting Racecraft
Blaming Others
Sim Racing Magician (racing the delta bar)
Trading Paint 2025 S1, Wrap Up
Sim Gaming Expo
Use code IRLP10 to save 10% off tickets
More Sim Gaming Expo Announcements
Sebring 12 Hour
https://forums.iracing.com/discussion/76078/initial-bop-2025-sebring-12-hour-powered-by-vco
This Week In iRacing
https://www.iracing.com/this-week-in-iracing-march-18-24-2025
Podcast Housekeeping
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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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Fantasy
Hardware/Software
2025 Simagic Wheel Base Settings
Simsonn Periperals
https://www.simsonn.com/collections/peripherals
Trak Racer Variable VESA Mounts
Trak Racer TR40S Simulator
https://trakracer.com/products/tr40s-racing-simulator
Cheap Upgrades To Make You Faster
✅ Wheel Extender – Get the perfect driving position 🏁 ✅ Seat Cushion & Heel Raiser – More comfort, better control 🎯 ✅ Pedal Spring Mods – Improve braking consistency 🛑 ✅ Rumble Motors – Feel ABS and traction through your pedals 🔥 ✅ iFlags LED Matrix – Stay aware of flags and on-track action 🟡⚪ ✅ Button Box – Free up space on your wheel for performance settings 🎛️ ✅ Head Tracking with a Webcam – DIY VR-like experience 🎥
The Perfect Sim Seating Set Up
Alpine F1 Extends Trak Racer Partnership
https://media.alpinecars.com/bwt-alpine-formula-one-team-extends-partnership-with-trak-racer/
Precision Sim Engineering DD-R / DD-X
https://www.precisionsimengineering.com/?category=Displays
Reinventing The Wheel?
IndyCar’s Steering Wheel Explained
Incredible Force Feedback
Cleetus Gets A Rig
Base Shaker Mounts
We Finally Get To Spend Mike’s Money
I love this quote.This is basically talking about me, “… Budget pedals will let you sim race totally fine but if you’re an idiot like me and you like fancy simming equipment you like features you like messing around with stuff you like having more information from the SIM you’ve wasted your life SIM racing too much. This sort of stuff is absolutely fantastic. Absolutely Fantastic absolutely amazing ….”
MOZA Force Feedback Shifter
Results
NASCAR iRacing Series
Friday Open – NiS – Las Vegas
- Mike- P26- start a 24th worked my way up to around fifth was good to go but towards the end of the race so I hit the wall too many times the last run faded hard all the way back
- Chris- P 6. The Red Waldron’s Furniture iRacers Lounge Chevy Camaro proved its resilience today. Despite battling PC issues that left us starting from 32nd, we refused to back down. The car struggled to find its rhythm early on, but with determination and hard work from the Premier Set-ups crew, we made key adjustments. As a result, we climbed steadily through the field and crossed the finish line in 6th after a thrilling green-white-checkered finish. A huge shoutout to Sim Wraps for getting that striking red vinyl wrap back on the car – it was definitely a factor in helping us secure this strong finish! We also hit a career record 3584iR after this race.
- David – P12 was first caution, a car forced a 4 wide, I should have crowded him more, but had no way to know there the was also 2 cars high, it just said 3 wide, instead came up just enough to get right hooked (not intentionally by him or me) Only 13 seconds of damage, next run was frustrating but I think i just burned my stuff up working way back up. Late caution with 25 I had worked my way up to 15th, loosened the car up, and was able to run hard for 12th at the end.
- Justin – P4. The ol Red, White & Blue Iracers Lounge Podcast Chevy Camaro had good top 5 speed. I wore this ol girl out. I got my money’s worth out of her tonight. It was a dog fight out there. I had a problem passing guys just couldn’t complete passes as soon as they got on your right rear they would drag you back. The last 10 laps i took right front damage. Very lucky to come out p4. All in all a good night of racing with the boys
- tony -P22 had a fast car again but dumbass mistake of over cooking my pit entry on a green flag stop and having a caution fly while on pit road just couldnt make my lap back up
- Brad- P14 after starting p20. Had a really good long run car but the race did not play out that way. Made a few adjustments for the long run but a late yellow and a short run that I did not make the correct adjustments cost me a top 5. Great sets all week from Premiere Racing Setups but the driver messed this one up.
Saturday Fixed- NiS – Las Vegas
- Tom D – P5 – Ran up front most the race with pit stops. Got front end damage and just beast able to get to the top spot. Happy to run upfront.
Sunday Open- NiS – Las Vegas
- David – P14, not a NIS week unless i get caught is someones mess. Wreck in front. Everyone piles in and hoooks me when I checked up. Got back to 12th the a car drives down the left side of pit lane and gets beside me hitting me when I turn to pit. P14. SO, according to some genius among the iRacing stewards, it is okay to drive on the inside line of pit lane the whole time. So from now on I’m driving down the inside lane whe n piting.
- Tony – P9 after what was a fever dream race . All i remember is being doored, wrecked and ass ramming a wrecked car on the front stretch and being at 16x for last 100 laps.
Sunday Fixed- NiS – Las Vegas
- Mike- Pdnf. Got totally destroyed early in the race in the first caution. Some guy goes under me taking us three wide. He can’t hold his lane and wipe us out.
Wednesday Open -NiS – Homestead
- Mike- P16- got involved in the First caution lost some track position never really made it up ran 20th to 25th most of the race gotten another wreck where I had a little bit of damage I got that fixed but with some late carnage I was able to get my way up into the top 20 to finish P 16
- David – P DNF, got loose, got stuck back with the idiots, got turned, then a car running in the back arca brakes and torpedoes me.
- Kyle – P24 Had a good car. Started 20th and stayed in the top 15. Sniffed the top 10 for a few laps but then faded back and kept it clean. Coming to the last restart and a driver decided to retaliate and spin another driver which then got the restart all tangled up and I received a passing under yellow which then gave me a black flag I had to serve and was able to stay on the lead lap but just didn’t have enough laps to gain anymore spots. Protest was filed and handled. Shout out to Lawrence and his team at Sim Coaches for fixing my gas pedal and making it good as new.
- Chris – P21 Miami still has me scratching my head, trying to figure it out like Sunny Crockett in Miami Vice. The white Waldron’s Furniture Chevy just couldn’t find its rhythm, struggling to move forward all race. While the primer setup worked well for us in Turns 1 and 2, driver error slowed us down in Turns 3 and 4. We spent most of the race hovering in the 20s, but at least we stayed trouble-free. It was great to have my iRacers Lounge teammate, Justin “Tubbs” Pearson, in the race with me—it made the experience a little more enjoyable
- Brad- P6 after having a fantastic run. The car was so good on the long run. Was abe to drive up to p2 but just toward the tail end of the run I was too tight. Just drove it too hard at the beginning. Looked like it was going to be a green flag stop to the end but a yellow mid pit cycle trapped me a lap down. Took the wave around but restarted from p17. Had to drive really hard to gain spots and that was enough to use up the tires and was passed for p5 on the last lap. A shout out to Drew Breeze for the clean racing and great battle for two laps. Another really good set this week from Premier Racing Setups. Oh and the winner who led 131 od 134 laps…was on Premier Racing Setup as well.
- Tom – P19 – one of the worst races I have personally done. I got red mist after slightly getting into another driver and as I came up to save my car it looked like I blocked him. Some words were said to me and I crashed us both. I am very disappointed in myself. I did not get on the radio or chat because I didn’t want to get a ban. My car was torn up and I could only get to that position. Again, I am deeply disappointed in myself. I am sorry for everyone involved in that if anyone is listening who was in that split, I am sorry
Thursday Open- NiS – Homestead
- Mike- P12- ran usually between 10th to 20th. Most of the race pretty much stayed out of trouble. The last restart I was 19th got my way up to finish P 12.
- David – P10. Had a top 5 car. On last run a car dive bombs me and fails to make the apex and stays up in lane three crowding me out can forcing me into the wall. Say he doesn’t have to go to the bottom if he dive bombs, I disagree, and will treat him with the respect he deserves.
Official Series
A Open
- Brad W – P20 after starting p4. This was just a really strange race. The car was super quick in practice but when the race started I was wrecking loose in turns 3 and 4. The weather was much different than NiS but I was really surprised how much different the car was. I threw air pressure and spring adjustment a it but could never get it comfortable. Fell like a rock and was actually lucky to finish p20.
League / Hosted Races
Grass Roots Racing GTP/GT3 League
- William W – P11. Was cruising in 3rd about halfway through the race when my screen froze for about 5 seconds. Was in the wall when it came back. Was able to limp back to the pits and gain a few spots before the end of the race.
Majors Series
- Brad W – P21. Started p37 in 1st split. Kept the car clean and had no major issues. Ended up making contact try to pass a car and that resulted in a 10 second post race penatly. Finishing p21 with the stout fied is ok, I guess.
- David – Road America – p11. Started in 28th or so. Ran clean, stayed out of trouble had good long run speed and consistency. A few small mistakes probably cost my chance at the top 10, including forgetting to turn my lights on and having the tracking warning pop up in the middle of the screen. Had to hit my button thats on the rig but gave away some time.
- Tom D – (Race 1 – Bathurst 2 Hours) – Started 42nd in top split of the International Region. Not my best combination. Just worked steady and finished 28th without any major issues. (Race 2 – Spa 2 Hours) – Started 34th in top split of the European Region. A big crash at Radion hurt a few cars and had to use their fast repair. I was able to pick a few spots and hold on to them. Finished 19th. I’ll take it for a GT3 race. (Race 3 – Road America 2 hours) – started 20th in 2nd split of the Americas Region. After a few laps I felt more comfortable than in the other races. I lost it in the kink and destroyed my car. Had to pit, came back out in 33rd. Had a fast car in the split, worked my way all the way back to 15th. Probably could have had a top 5 without my mistake. Looking forward to the next Majors race on April 5th & 6th. Coke 600 with the Gen 4 cup cars.
Hosted-
- Ellis – GEN five at Talladega wrecked out
- BMW’s at Nortslife in the rain finished P2 after towing
- Second attempt, it was raining harder and wrecked right away and turned two
- 13th week funny forecast at the Nurburgring North life in the BMW M2. Winner winner chicken dinner had a great class win and finished third overall kept it on the track pretty much the whole time heavy heavy rain super proud of this one.
- Try it again the next day wrecked out right at the beginning
- Then ran Matt Malone’s MX 5 cup at Oki Yama qualified 13th at a 19th
- BMW’s at osher Slaven. Qualified fifth finish fourth.
- FIAF4 @Sebring had a pretty good run going up to seventh but then wrecked out with two to go racing with a guy
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
- Spent Mike’s Money
Description
On today’s show we get you caught on the 2025 Season 2 Patch 1, see what iRacing needs to add to dirt racing, what sim racing traps to avoid, show you how to get the perfect position in your sim rig, find out what Mike is spending his money on and did a sim to reality driver just win his first NASCAR Cup race?
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.
Sponsors:
Hosts:
Mike Ellis – https://x.com/mikedeanellis
David Hall – https://x.com/dmixmage
Greg Hecktus – twitter.com/froozenkaktus
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
Links:
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Web (Show Notes) – iracerslounge.com/