In its 40-year history, JKS Incorporated has developed and sustained a strong working relationship with NASCAR and its many affiliates. From showcars and car toppers to track painting, exhibits, and commercial shoots, we’ve had the opportunity to support the sport from nearly every angle.
One of our favorite, and longest-running, projects has been our work on the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s iRacing simulators.
Video courtesy of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Back in 2013, the NASCAR Hall of Fame approached us with a unique challenge—they wanted to create an immersive experience that would allow guests to step inside a stock car and race each other using state-of-the-art iRacing technology. Given our extensive background in both building actual race cars and fabricating stationary, non-running showcars, we were excited to jump in.
It’s important to note that we didn’t fabricate the original eight simulator cars, those already existed. But we did handle the full conversion of those units to match the current generation of race cars at the time (the Gen-6 body style). That included reshaping body panels, reworking the interiors, and fabricating custom mounts for steering wheels, pedals, and monitors. We even designed functioning doors that open and close to give visitors an authentic “driver” experience.
Since that first conversion, we’ve continued to update the simulators with each new evolution of NASCAR race cars. To date, we’ve completed three full generations of body style changes on the simulator fleet. As part of that evolution, we also built two additional simulator units that can be rotated in and out as needed. One of those features an accessible layout that allows wheelchair users to roll directly into the driving space, ensuring that the thrill of racing is available to all fans.
Once our fabrication work is done, the simulator cars are equipped with a customized version of the iRacing software—the same platform that NASCAR Cup Series drivers use to prep for real races. Guests at the Hall of Fame can sit behind the wheel, feel the pedals beneath their feet, and race against up to 15 competitors on tracks that rotate weekly to mirror the NASCAR schedule.
This project has spanned over a decade and stands as a testament to both the flexibility of our fabrication team and our deep roots in the world of motorsports.
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Kevin Schlesier, the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Senior Director of Museum and Industry Affairs. Kevin has been our go-to contact since day one and has played a huge role in the success and longevity of this project.
“We’ve had the pleasure of working with the NASCAR Hall of Fame since its inception,” said Christy Cox Spencer, President of JKS Incorporated. “Our relationship with them has always been special. When our museum was closing in 2023, they showed up—not just as fellow museum professionals who understand how devastating that kind of closure can be, but as true friends. They didn’t have to do that, but they did. It meant a lot.”
For us, this project is more than just custom fabrication. It’s about accessibility, evolution, and bringing the spirit of racing to life in new and exciting ways. And we’re proud to still be in the driver’s seat.
