REVIEW: ‘NASCAR 25’ Is A Fresh Start For The Sport

NASCAR has always been incredibly popular in the United States, but the state of NASCAR video games has not quite lived up to its potential, with no release since NASCAR Rivals in 2022. NASCAR 25 marks the sport’s partnership with iRacing Studios, presenting the best NASCAR racing experience since the early 2000s.

iRacing is well-known in the racing community for giving players the most authentic experience. When it was announced that they would be taking the reins with NASCAR 25, fans were rightfully optimistic that the intensely competitive and realistic iRacing scene would translate well to the NASCAR world. Booting up NASCAR 25 and launching into a race immediately shows how well iRacing has captured the racing experience.

Driving in NASCAR 25 is incredible. Every slight adjustment makes a difference, and players have complete control over how they approach their racing lines. Trying to pass at Daytona feels intense and lifelike in a way that no NASCAR game has done before. The racing experience is on par with or better than those of series like the F1 games or Gran Turismo. 

Between four levels of racing, there are 204 drivers and 90 tracks to choose from in NASCAR 25.

What was particularly impressive was how well NASCAR 25 played on a controller. Racing games are always best when played with a racing wheel setup, but some games require an expensive rig to get the most out of them. NASCAR 25 manages to strike a balance between being enjoyable to play and not requiring a large amount of cash to get the best experience possible. I went back and forth between my racing wheel and a controller, and, while there was a difference, the gap was not as large as many would expect.

Players can choose between racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, the Xfinity Series, the Truck Series, and the ARCA Series. Between these four levels of racing, there are 204 drivers and 90 tracks to choose from. That level of choice is rare in a racing game, allowing players to live out whichever experience they want with minimal compromise. There are a handful of missing tracks, most notably Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, but the sheer amount of ovals and street tracks is more than enough to keep racers entertained.

Including the different lower series in such detail is excellent for the sport because it draws attention to racing series that casual fans might never have heard of. It is also just cool to be able to load into the Truck Series and play as someone like actor and driver Frankie Muniz. These series don’t feel like an afterthought, either, and they play an important role in the career mode.

Career mode in NASCAR 25 is hands down the best part of the game. Players hop behind the wheel and take on the world as they race to the top of the sport. There is a great intro video that plays when loading into career mode for the first time, helping set the tone and allowing players to feel just how much NASCAR matters to fans and drivers alike before jumping into the fast-paced world.

Climbing up the ranks in NASCAR 25 is challenging but rewarding.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. played a key role in the development of NASCAR 25, so it is fitting that the career mode starts with an introduction from him. Earnhardt is clearly passionate about racing, and the way he talks about it makes it easy for players to understand the importance of even the most basic races as they begin their career. His inclusion makes even the opening discovery race feel like a championship.

Climbing up the ranks is tough but rewarding. Success on the track leads to improvements off it, with your shop being the main hub. Players can customize their cars in impressive detail, although driver options are limited to a name and avatar. This allows the car’s appearance to be the real star, with players showcasing their personalities through the car’s look and their driving on the track.

Driver reputation is changed based on how players race on track. Drive aggressively and you’ll develop a harsh reputation, putting a target on your back. Improving your reputation is how drivers progress, and the process is quite simple. Win, and win fairly, and you’ll climb the rankings in no time. It would have been nice to see a bit more depth, but the progression does feel natural.

Online mode is a bit of a mess in NASCAR 25, but that is largely due to the way the community approaches racing.

Players earn Work Points in each race, which can be used to improve the garage, team members, and other facilities. This management approach isn’t the most in-depth available, but it offers plenty of flexibility, allowing players to guide the team in whichever direction they choose. It is important to nail the right upgrade balance, but the system is forgiving for players who don’t quite perfect their approach from the start.

Championship mode enables players to bypass the management mechanics and proceed directly to the racing season of their choice. This is better for players who just want to hop in and race, without needing to worry about upgrades or development. There are different types of season lengths to choose from as well, making it easier than ever to take on the tracks they want without the extra fluff.

Online mode is a bit of a mess, but that is purely down to the way the community approaches racing. Some races can be quick and clean, but others quickly devolve into a 40-car pileup with drivers trying to take out as many cars as possible. It is really frustrating to try to take the racing seriously, only to be smashed into a wall by a maniacal driver who is just trying to cause chaos. This isn’t iRacing’s fault, but it would be great to see better ways to penalize this sort of driving and encourage real racing.

Presentation in NASCAR 25 is top-notch. The tracks are all unique, and even the fans in the stands look impressive when viewed from a distance at high speeds. Every track has different visual components that make it special, so seeing those in action while trying to finish in first place adds to the immersion.

The soundtrack in NASCAR 25, featuring Jelly Roll and other artists, is an absolute smash hit.

One area where the presentation falls short is car damage. Turning on “full damage” does not deliver the smashed-up cars that drivers are looking for. Taking a massive hit and only seeing slight dings on the car’s body does take away from the realism, even if it isn’t a complete dealbreaker. 

NASCAR 25’s soundtrack is an absolute smash hit. The soundtrack features artists like System of a Down, Jelly Roll, and Killer Mike, and is one of the best video game soundtracks in recent years. There were moments where I found myself just sitting in the menu with the music playing, just to jam out. There are 28 songs in total, and they are all a blast to listen to.

NASCAR 25 is a much-needed shot in the arm for NASCAR video games, bringing an authentic and fun experience to a new generation. Players will learn to appreciate the skill it takes to be the best on track, and it should draw eyes to the real-life sport as well, thanks to the incredible presentation.

NASCAR 25 is now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a release on Windows scheduled for November 11th.