“Nascar 25” officially debuted on PlayStation 5 and Xbox this week as iRacing has launched its first-ever Nascar console game with incredible reviews from drivers and fans alike.
iRacing
“Nascar 25” is the center of the Nascar world right now, and for obvious reasons.
Nascar’s first console video game in four years is already a hit, just days after it hit shelves. The game, created by the folks at iRacing, is also a first for the simulator firm, which worked with real-life Nascar drivers and teams to optimize the user experience for casual and diehard fans alike.
“Fans have been asking for a true next-gen Nascar console experience for years, and with ‘Nascar 25’ we’re finally delivering it,” said Nick Rend, Nascar’s vice president of interactive and emerging platforms. “This game is the result of our long-standing collaboration with iRacing — a partner that understands the DNA of our sport better than anyone. What makes this launch so special is that it’s not just a racing game; it’s the most authentic Nascar experience ever brought to console, built alongside the people who live and breathe this sport for anyone who’s ever wanted to feel what it’s really like.”
“Nascar 25” has two editions: the standard and gold packages. The gold edition features the full game and the season pass, which includes a variety of in-game currency and bonuses, as well as three DLC packs offering over 230 paint schemes and fire suits.
Besides the plethora of drivers in “Nascar 25″ – the game offers well more than a full field of cars in every series – the game features unique features. Of course, it is endorsed by Nascar Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., who joined iRacing in 2020.
“We have a huge advantage in that this development has been working together for 25 years,” iRacing founder Steve Myers said. “Our previous company, Papyrus Racing Games, started the Nascar franchise space in the ’90s. Our last product – Nascar Racing 2003 Season – is still considered to be one of the best Nascar games ever made. In that game, we took the approach of getting real-world data and get closer to the technical aspects of Nascar.
“We have almost 20 years of working with Nascar on our PC racing product to be as authentic and real as possible. Real-world Nascar drivers use it to train. It was the perfect time for us to make a mass-market game just about Nascar. We have all of this industry knowledge and all of the people who have made Nascar console games.”
The career mode is different than every other Nascar game. What can be perceived as a negative may actually be a positive as one will customize their own driver and team, sign sponsorship contracts, the team facility and staff as you go from the ARCA Menards Series to the Cup Series. While you cannot sign with existing teams in the career mode, it enables you to do something completely different than the past Nascar games.
Another neat feature is that “Nascar 25,” unlike its predecessors, actually includes the Duels at Daytona, the pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500.
But most of all, the clarity and competitiveness of the new game is second to none. It combines a simulator with the fun of a console video game, exceeding expectations for fans.
The game is also a major win for Nascar partners, who have a prominent role in the game. Real-life sponsors are featured in the career mode, and even the smallest ARCA partners are in the game. It’s an unprecedented level of exposure for small drivers and companies looking for a breakthrough.
“Nascar 25” is available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephwolkin/2025/10/16/nascar-25-debuts-with-major-hype/