NASCAR 26's Early Access works the same on PC as on consoles: Steam listed Gold Edition as playable ahead of the September 18, 2026 general release, and as of this guide's research, Steam's own page shows "Advance Access On Now!" confirming that window is live.
What's Confirmed
Steam's storefront confirms Gold Edition access ahead of full release, matching the official FAQ's confirmation that Gold Edition pre-orders include three days of Early Access. That access window began September 15, 2026, per iRacing's own launch-day coverage. This is the same three-day head start covered generally in Early Access — the PC/Steam version doesn't have separate or different timing from console.
FAQ
Yes, per Steam's own "Advance Access On Now!" listing, for Gold Edition buyers, beginning September 15, 2026.
No. Early Access timing is the same across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S — three days ahead of the September 18, 2026 general release, for Gold Edition only.