Games where you manage a stable of racers or fighters?
I'm not really interested in racing myself, although it's ok if that's an option. I'm thinking more along the lines of buying and upgrading vehicles and perhaps hiring drivers, sending them out to win races and using the winnings to upgrade my fleet.
Likewise, it could be raising and training horses or some other animals for racing. Chocobos, even, or some other fantasy creatures.
Or similarly, a sort of gladitorial game where I can recruit, equip, and train fighters to compete. Maybe even send them dungeon diving to collect loot to sell and upgrade, but the main point is not to adventure or compete myself, but to manage and train and improve a variety of racers or fighters. Does that make sense?
Age of Gladiators is a game that held my interest for a while, but I don't think I've ever run across one for racing vehicles or animals that I've found engaging.