Join the Discord! →

Join hundreds of racers just like you! We love to help answer questions and race together.


Can I Display Strength of Field on My Iracing Screen

Can I display Strength of Field on my iRacing screen? A clear guide for iRacing beginners and new to iRacing: quick steps to see race strength and why it matters.

If you’re new to iRacing and asking “can i display strength of field on my iracing screen?”, you’re not alone. The menus and numbers can feel cryptic at first. I’ll walk you through what Strength of Field (SoF) is, whether it’s shown in-game, and the easiest way to view it without getting overwhelmed.

can i display strength of field on my iracing screen

Quick answer: iRacing does not show a live Strength of Field value inside the in-car HUD during a session. You can view SoF before the race from the session lobby and event pages on the iRacing website or launcher. Third-party overlays and tools can bring that info into your screen, but there’s no built-in in-sim SoF readout.

Why this matters for beginners

Strength of Field tells you how competitive an event is — higher SoF means more experienced and faster drivers. For iRacing beginners, that matters because it helps set expectations: joining a high-SoF race will be tougher and can affect safety ratings and fun. Many new to iRacing confuse SoF with car performance; it’s about who’s in the race, not how fast your car is.

Simple step-by-step guide

  1. Open the iRacing Member Site or Launchpad and find the event or practice session lobby. The Strength of Field is listed near the session details.
  2. Before joining, check SoF on the event page (or within the race details on the launcher) to decide if it matches your experience level.
  3. If you want SoF displayed during driving, install a trusted third-party overlay (see pro tips below). These pull lobby data and show it on-screen.
  4. Always verify overlays are allowed by iRacing and come from reputable sources to avoid bans or performance issues.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Expecting SoF to auto-appear in the in-car HUD. Fix: Check the lobby or event page first; use overlays if you want on-screen display.
  • Mistake: Confusing SoF with official split or safety rating. Fix: SoF measures competitor strength; splits and SR/IR measure your placement and conduct.

Quick pro tips

  • Use the iRacing website or Launchpad for the official SoF before you enter a race.
  • If you run overlays, choose community-trusted tools (check forums and Discords).
  • Don’t chase low SoF only — racing stronger drivers helps you learn faster once you’re comfortable.
  • Use SoF together with iRacing tips like practice, qualifying, and avoiding incidents to improve SR/IR.

When to ask for help

If an overlay won’t show SoF or you’re unsure how to interpret the number, ask in friendly spaces: iRacing Discord communities, the official forums, or subreddits. Share screenshots and what you’ve tried — people there help a lot of beginners.

FAQs

Q: Can I see Strength of Field during a race?
A: Not in the default in-car HUD. Use the lobby/event page or a third-party overlay.

Q: Is high SoF bad for new drivers?
A: It’s not bad, but it’s harder. Start in lower SoF races to build confidence and safety rating.

Q: Are overlays allowed on iRacing?
A: Many are allowed, but always confirm they don’t inject game code or provide unfair advantages.

Q: Where exactly on the site is SoF shown?
A: Look in the session or event details on the iRacing member site or Launchpad — it’s visible next to other lobby stats.

Final takeaways

You can’t display Strength of Field in the stock in-car HUD, but you can easily see it in the lobby or use a safe third-party overlay to bring it onto your screen. Next step: check SoF for your next session and pick a race that matches your comfort level — then practice, focus on clean laps, and enjoy learning how iRacing works.