Where Passion
Meets Innovation
iRacing Studios traces its roots back to 2003 when Dave Kaemmer and John Henry founded iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations. But our story truly begins much earlier, in the pioneering days of racing simulations.
The Papyrus Era: Laying the Groundwork
In 1987, Dave Kaemmer co-founded Papyrus Design Group, a name that would become synonymous with revolutionary racing simulations. Titles like Indianapolis 500: The Simulation (1989) and NASCAR Racing (1994) set new standards for realism and immersion. The crown jewel, Grand Prix Legends (1998), is still revered by sim racing enthusiasts for its uncompromising physics and challenge.
Papyrus continued to push boundaries with NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, widely regarded as the pinnacle of stock car racing simulations. This legacy of innovation and authenticity forms the bedrock of iRacing Studios.
The Birth of iRacing:
A New Era Begins
When Papyrus closed its doors in 2004, Kaemmer and Henry saw an opportunity to take racing simulation to the next level. They assembled a dream team of developers, many from Papyrus, and launched iRacing.com in 2008.
Our mission was clear: create the most authentic, accessible, and competitive racing simulation in the world. By leveraging emerging technologies and forging partnerships with real-world racing organizations, iRacing quickly became the gold standard in virtual motorsports.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
At iRacing Studios, we’re not just developers – we’re racers. Our team’s collective experience spans from amateur club racing to the highest echelons of professional motorsports.
John Henry
Co-Founder
Principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, John brings his winning mentality from traditional sports to the virtual racing world. He’s also a co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, keeping us directly connected to the heart of NASCAR.
Dave Kaemmer
Co-Founder, CEO, CTO
Beyond his legendary status in sim-racing development, Dave is an accomplished racer, with 19 wins in the Skip Barber Racing Championship and a lap record at Lime Rock Park.
Anthony Gardner
President & CFO
Tony came to iRacing with a vast wealth of business experience working as a successful operations and finance executive including positions in the software, SaaS, healthcare, tech and consulting sectors for both public and private companies. Tony has a straight-forward and relentless approach focused on improving the racing games for our loyal customers.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Executive Director
A NASCAR icon with 26 Cup Series victories, including two Daytona 500 wins, Dale brings unparalleled real-world racing insight to our team. His passion for sim-racing, which he credits for keeping his skills sharp during his professional career, makes him a perfect bridge between the virtual and real racing worlds. Dale’s involvement ensures that our simulations meet the exacting standards of professional drivers while remaining accessible to enthusiasts.
Our Team
iRacing Studios
We have over 200 talented employees working at iRacing from around the world, with an unmatched pedigree developing and publishing racing games and simulations. We go to the extremes like no other company to build the best racing games possible. Our passion for bringing the joys of virtual racing to our customers is evident in our racing simulation and games.
A Fixture In The Racing World
The iRacing logo has become ubiquitous in the motorsports world. From NASCAR tracks to the Australian Supercars series, our presence is a testament to the authenticity and respect we’ve earned within the racing community.
We’re proud to have our simulators featured at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, bridging the gap between virtual and real-world racing. Our partnerships with professional racing teams and drivers further blur this line, with many using our software for training and preparation.
A Brief History
Here is a chronology of titles from our internal team and a legend of sim racing, our CEO Dave Kaemmer:
Indianapolis 500: The Simulation
Papyrus Design Group | 1989
NASCAR Racing
Papyrus Design Group | 1994
Grand Prix Legends
Papyrus Design Group | 1998
NASCAR Racing 2003 Season
Papyrus Design Group | 2003
iRacing.com
iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations LLC | 2008
Driving Forward
As we look to the future, iRacing Studios remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in virtual motorsports. We’re not just creating games – we’re fostering a global community of racing enthusiasts, developing cutting-edge technologies, and continually redefining the intersection of virtual and real-world racing.
Join us as we continue to drive the future of motorsports, both on and off the track.