UPDATED: When Will We Hear More About NASCAR 25?
What’s Happening? NASCAR’s next console game, NASCAR ’25, is currently being developed by iRacing. Fans have long waited for the release…
Since late 2023, NASCAR fans have been waiting for the release of iRacing’s upcoming NASCAR console game. In this article, we will track and organize all of the major news stories about iRacing’s NASCAR video game, NASCAR ’25.
What’s Happening? NASCAR’s next console game, NASCAR ’25, is currently being developed by iRacing. Fans have long waited for the release…
What’s Happening? iRacing’s NASCAR 25 is less than a year away from its projected release date, but several questions remain about…
Update: Jun 12: During iRacing’s first NASCAR ’25 Q&A, iRacing’s Matt Lewis revealed the game will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC with full wheel support for each.
Given that iRacing is already a racing simulator on PC, iRacing may forego a PC port. But, iRacing could see value in the game bringing in a more casual audience than iRacing itself does. A Nintendo Switch port is also unlikely, especially given that no NASCAR video game has received a direct Nintendo port since NASCAR The Game: Inside Line in 2012. NASCAR Rivals, released in 2022, was separate from NASCAR 21: Ignition.
Notably, an Oct. 2023 post from NASCAR on X featured Nintendo Switch and Steam logos, only further adding to speculation about what platforms the game will be on. PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series X are virtual locks for the new game. It’s becoming increasingly rare for games to be exclusive to one home console, especially sports games.
Update: Aug 7: During iRacing’s Dev Diary Ep 5, Matt Lewis said that pre-orders open “about a month” before the game’s release.
Update: Jul 24: The game will be released on Oct. 14, between the Playoff races at Las Vegas and Talladega. Of the last ten multi-platform NASCAR Console games (NASCAR The Game: 2011 to NASCAR 21: Ignition), NASCAR ’25’s Oct. 14 release date is the third-latest for a NASCAR game. iRacing will announce the release date of a PC version at a later date. As of the time of this announcement, there is little to no competition in the video game market.
Update: Jun.12: During iRacing’s first NASCAR ’25 Q&A, iRacing’s Matt Lewis revealed the game would be released during the playoffs in late September or early October.
iRacing’s first artist rendering of the game came with the news of a Fall 2025 release date. This date is in line with most recent NASCAR games as every game since NASCAR Heat Evolution, with the exception of NASCAR Heat 5 saw a release in the fall. NASCAR 21: Ignition released in late October, with 4 of the 5 NASCAR Heat games released in mid-September.
If NASCAR ’25 were to follow past NASCAR game Fall Release trends, a “historically accurate” release week could either be the week of the regular season finale, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (August 23), or the first race of the playoffs, the Southern 500 at Darlington (August 31). While we can speculate, as the game’s release draws closer, we will slowly receive more and more information (and perhaps an official release date) for NASCAR ’25
Update: Aug 7: During iRacing’s Dev Diary Ep 5, fans got to see several brief glimpses of on-track action for multiple series, alongside full car renders on the ARCA Menards Series and Craftsman Truck Series driver menu.
In February 2024, journalist Mike Straw revealed that Monster Games will develop NASCAR ’25 on Unreal Engine. Monster Games developed the NASCAR Heat games, and Unreal Engine was the same engine that Motorsport Games developed NASCAR 21: Ignition on.
While no NASCAR Next Gen game used Unreal Engine in development, we know that Unreal Engine has incredible graphical capabilities. The above video showcases just how pretty Unreal Engine games can look. Although, NASCAR games are not all about the looks. For all of NASCAR 21: Ignition’s flaws, everyone agreed that the game looked incredible, even though it was released on last-generation hardware.
What’s Happening? The official soundtrack for NASCAR ’25 is iRacing’s upcoming NASCAR console game. This 28-song soundtrack features returning tracks, returning…
Update Aug. 16: iRacing unveiled the the official 28-song soundtrack for NASCAR ’25 including returning tracks, returning artists, and fan requests.
Update Aug 5: During the Ask Jr portion of the Aug. 5 episode of The Dale Jr Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr opened up about the game’s soundtrack. This discussion included some songs that missed the cut, the large amount of independent artists featured in the game, and that NASCAR ’25’s featured song will be from the band System of a Down.
Update Jul 30: Dale Earnhardt Jr, via a post on his Instagram Story, unveiled the first snippet of NASCAR ’25’s soundtrack. This video featured a song by Atlanta rapper Killer Mike’s Nobody Knows. Earnhardt also revealed more about the game’s soundtrack on X after this post. During this impromptu Q&A, Earnhardt revealed several bands which will be featured in the game’s roster of 27 artists, including:
On Nov. 11, Dale Earnhardt Jr. asked fans on X, “What songs absolutely have to be considered?” This post went beyond the NASCAR online community and into the realm of the casual fanbase. This post also gave fans the feeling of their opinion being heard in the soundtrack of the next NASCAR game.
What’s Happening? One of the most asked-for elements of the next NASCAR video game is customization, and many fans are wondering…
Update: Jun 12: During iRacing’s first NASCAR ’25 Q&A, iRacing’s Matt Lewis revealed the paint booth will be similar to past NASCAR games with some improvements. However, a paint scheme uploading system, similar to Trading Paints or even the system used to upload logos in NBA 2K, will not be part of the game.
iRacing is famous for its popular “Trading Paints,” which allows players almost unlimited customization of paint schemes. Unfortunately, iRacing President Tony Gardner told Mike Straw of Insider Gaming that it won’t be as “Free and open” as on iRacing. Still, a paint booth should be in the game. iRacing seems committed to building something, but we don’t know what that will be.
What’s Happening? Though it’s been a while since the last NASCAR console game was released, iRacing’s NASCAR ’25 is imminent, and…
Update: Aug 6: The Cup Series roster is out and features 45 drivers and 20 different teams. Notable drivers featured in the game include Corey LaJoie, Chad Finchum, Josh Bilicki, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, Jimmie Johnson, J.J. Yeley, short track champion Burt Myers, IndyCar legend Helio Castroneves, and Martin Truex Jr.
Update: Aug 1: The Xfinity Series roster is out and features 45 drivers and 21 different teams. Notable drivers featured in the game include Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, Shane van Gisbergen, Hendrick Motorsports’ Corey Day, Austin Green, Jordan Anderson, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Aric Almirola, and Ryan Truex.
Update: Jul 30: The Craftsman Truck Series roster is out and features 46 drivers and 16 different teams. Notable drivers featured in the game include Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, Corey LaJoie, Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, RCR’s Kyle Busch, Luke Fenhaus, Johnny Sauter, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Brandon Jones, and William Sawalich.
Update: Jul 28: The ARCA Menards Series roster is out and features 57 drivers and 36 different teams. Notable drivers featured in the game include Joe Gibbs Racing’s William Sawalich, Cleetus McFarland, and Hendrick Motorsports’ Corey Day.
During the Jun. 12 Q&A on Discord, iRacing’s Matt Lewis revealed that NASCAR ’25’s roster will include roughly 190 drivers across the three NASCAR National Series: Truck, Xfinity, and Cup, alongside the ARCA Menards Series.
During iRacing’s Jun. 12 NASCAR ’25 Q&A, iRacing’s Matt Lewis revealed that NASCAR ’25 will have an online mode featuring 36 (Truck Series) to 40 (Cup Series) entry fields and private lobbies. Alongside a release date, more information and visuals, such as in-game screenshots, series rosters, and gameplay footage, will be released in July and August.
Local multiplayer will not be available, though it is unclear if that means all forms of local multiplayer or select forms.
What’s Happening? Dale Earnhardt Jr revealed new details about NASCAR ’25’s Soundtrack, Career Mode, and Driver Ratings during the latest episode…
Update Aug 5: During the Ask Jr. portion of the Aug. 5 episode of The Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed that the game’s career mode will kick off with players entering an ARCA race at Rockingham. Much like past NASCAR games, players have to achieve a certain goal to start their careers.
Earnhardt also said that he and DJD co-host T.J. Major recorded DJD soundbites “about 30 or 45 different scenarios” that will play during career mode, depending on what you do as a driver. These scenarios include “like hiring a new crew chief or losing somebody important on their team, like an engineer, or gaining a new sponsor, or getting themselves into trouble, or whatever.”
Update: Feb 20: iRacing published their third Dev Diary, which features an in-depth look at iRacing’s career mode. The career mode will feature key decision-making and the opportunity to grow your brand and team. Drivers will start in ARCA in a small family shop and work their way to Cup. This Dev Diary also revealed new visuals on the career mode hub and shop designs. The career mode will allow you to make strategic choices, such as pivotal career moments, and upgrade your team as a whole.
Update: Jan 22: iRacing revealed that all three NASCAR National Series and the ARCA Menards Series will be in the game. Furthermore, NASCAR ’25 will feature an in-depth career mode, single-race, season, and online modes. All four series will be feature heavily in career mode with drivers starting from the bottom.
What’s Happening? With just a few weeks until the game’s release on console, iRacing has officially listed NASCAR ’25’s PC release…
NASCAR ’25 was listed on Steam shortly after the cover reveal. Notably, though there was still no release date, the game listing mentions that for the best playing experience, using a controller is recommended.
On Aug. 23, at Daytona International Speedway, iRacing revealed a three-driver cover featuring Toyota’s Christopher Bell, Chevrolet’s William Byron, and Ford’s Ryan Blaney.
What’s Happening? The official soundtrack for NASCAR ’25 is iRacing’s upcoming NASCAR console game. This 28-song soundtrack features returning tracks, returning…
On Aug. 16, iRacing unveiled the the official 28-song soundtrack for NASCAR ’25 including returning tracks, returning artists, and fan requests.
For the fifth edition of the game’s Dev Diary, NASCAR ’25 interviewed drivers on their opinions of the game, alongside B-roll of on-track racing in multiple series. The driver reviews were obviously positive, though it would be unlikely iRacing would have a negative review in the video. The key takeaway was the B-roll, which also included glimpses at the driver selection menu, track selection menu, and Race Weekend hub.
During this episode, Production Director Matt Lewis also confirmed that iRacing will release an official gameplay trailer and open pre-orders “about a month before” the game’s Xbox Series X/S and PS5 Oct. 14 release date.
What’s Happening? Dale Earnhardt Jr revealed new details about NASCAR ’25’s Soundtrack, Career Mode, and Driver Ratings during the latest episode…
During the Ask Jr. portion of the Aug. 5 episode of The Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed more information about NASCAR ’25’s soundtrack, driver ratings, and career mode.
Among the topics discussed were the music search, which included the addition of hand-picked independent artists and the game’s featured track, a yet-to-be-named song by the band System of a Down. Earnhardt also revealed that career mode kicks off with a goal-based race at Rockingham in the ARCA Menards Series and details about how the wide array of DJD clips he recorded for the game will play into career mode. He also expressed his belief that driver ratings could stir drama amongst drivers.
What’s Happening? Though it’s been a while since the last NASCAR console game was released, iRacing’s NASCAR ’25 is imminent, and…
iRacing revealed the rosters for NASCAR ’25 from Jul. 28 to Aug. 5. The game features 192 licensed drivers, including duplicates across multiple series.
What’s Happening? NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. has uploaded footage of iRacing’s new game, NASCAR ’25, its main menu, and the…
On Jul. 30, Dale Earnhardt Jr, via a post on his Instagram Story, showed off NASCAR ’25’s main menu and a snippet of the soundtrack.
What’s Happening? NASCAR 25, the long-awaited NASCAR console game developed by iRacing, will be released on Oct. 14, with a later…
On Jul. 24, iRacing revealed that NASCAR ’25 will be released on October 14, between the Playoff races at Las Vegas and Talladega. iRacing will announce the release date of a PC version at a later date.
What’s Happening? Matt Lewis, a producer for iRacing’s upcoming console game, NASCAR ’25, recently answered fans’ questions about the game as…
On Jun. 12, iRacing’s Matt Lewis sat down with the NASCAR community on Discord for an in-depth Q&A. During this Q&A, Lewis revealed a massive roster, PS5, XBOX Series X, and PC compatibility, alongside key details about the game’s fall release. Lewis also discussed online modes, paint booth, and career mode details.
In NASCAR ’25 Dev Diary Episode Four, iRacing introduced the game’s race weekend experience; this included a peek at the unique structure of each race weekend in the game, the sound design, and the feeling of being at the track in NASCAR ’25. This included a look at pre-race ceremonies in Las Vegas and a look inside the garage area at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Fans also got a look at on-track action, though not from the view of a driver, but rather, a Cup Series car and a Truck entering the track for Practice and Qualifying.
In March, iRacing released updated track art for seven NASCAR National Series tracks. Following this update, iRacing Executive Vice President Steve Myers confirmed via X that these track models will be used in the company’s upcoming NASCAR ’25 console game.
iRacing published their third Dev Diary, which features an in-depth look at iRacing’s career mode. The career mode will feature key decision-making and the opportunity to grow your brand and team. Drivers will start in ARCA in a small family shop and work their way to Cup. This Dev Diary also revealed new visuals on the career mode hub and shop designs.
What’s Happening iRacing is finally confirming that not only will the four highest levels of NASCAR be featured in NASCAR ’25,…
NASCAR 25 will have a never-before-seen feature in its game. NASCAR 25 will feature the ARCA Menards Series as a playable series. ARCA will join the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series as part of a larger career model that requires you to start at the very bottom and work your way to the top. Furthermore, the game will also include typical game modes such as single race, online multiplayer, and season mode.
What’s Happening NASCAR ’25 details continue to roll through, and keen-eared listeners of the Dale Jr. Download may have noticed a…
In the Nov. 12 episode of the Dale Jr. Download, we learned that longtime Cup Series Spotter TJ Majors would be at least one of the spotters involved in the game, calling the shots from atop the spotters’ stand. It is unknown who the Crew Chiefs and other Spotters involved will be.
Episode two of NASCAR ’25 Dev Diary only further reassured fans that the next NASCAR console game is in good hands. However, we also got renders of a Ford Mustang Dark Horse, what appears to be an at-the-track setting, and wireframe renders of Daytona.
This episode focused more on the benefits of iRacing and its intense catalog of track scans and history in racing. For a look at some of these renders, check out our original story on this Dev Diary.
What’s Happening? iRacing has been relatively quiet about its NASCAR console game. As far as we know, the game is called…
In October, iRacing executive Steve Myers posted some interesting things on X revolving around NASCAR ’25. Myer’s posts mostly focused on him testing the realism of a prototype build.
His comments mentioned that the game is fun but not difficult and that using a controller feels natural for how the car moves. However, Myers also mentioned that he tested an Xfinity Series car, which is a wishlist item for so many fans.
After this news took off, Myers seemingly backtracked on this, stating on X, “I technically did not confirm anything other than the car exists!” Myers further said that one thing holding back this addition is updating tracks. However, he said that the game is still early in development, leaving the door open to NASCAR’s other national series.
In August, iRacing released the first episode of what they are calling NASCAR ’25 Dev Diary. This episode, rather than giving intense details on the new game, reassured fans by introducing the development team and their history with NASCAR and NASCAR Gaming.
This crew involves gaming veterans and those who worked on the popular NASCAR Thunder, Heat, and NR2003. This video seems to be a promise to fans of NASCAR console gaming that after years of tough releases, things are looking up.
On April 3, 2024, iRacing made their first true tease of the next NASCAR video game. Under the working title of NASCAR ’25, iRacing also revealed a rough Fall 2025 release date alongside an artist’s rendering of a garage.
While this post does not show what the game will look like graphics-wise, it’s the first piece of information directly from iRacing itself. It also gives fans an idea of when the game will actually come out.
What’s Happening? One of the most asked-for elements of the next NASCAR video game is customization, and many fans are wondering…
Trading Paints is one of the most popular elements of iRacing online. Fans can create their own paint schemes and share them with others, which is incredible, especially given the depth of iRacing.
Unfortunately, iRacing President Tony Gardner said in an interview with Mike Straw that Trading Paints won’t be exactly like iRacing. He did qualify that iRacing will do the best it can, but having “Trading Paints” similar to the one used in the online simulator is not possible.
What’s Happening? Mike Straw of Insider Gaming teased an exclusive interview with iRacing president Tony Gardner on Thursday. In the…
iRacing President Tony Gardner sat down with Mike Straw in early February to discuss the next console video game, revealing that Monster Games will develop the game on the Unreal Engine.
Monster Games has worked with iRacing before on the World of Outlaws video game. They also developed the old and new NASCAR Heat Series of games, including NASCAR Dirt to Daytona. Motorsport Games used the Unreal Engine to develop NASCAR 21 Ignition; however, non-graphic issues left the game one of the worst-rated in NASCAR history.
On October 5, 2023, NASCAR and iRacing jointly announced that Motorsport Games had sold the NASCAR console license to Motorsport Games. The estimated release date given was 2025, but no specific date was given for the game’s release.
More information about the sale came out in April 2024. Mike Straw of Insider Gaming reported that iRacing paid $5 million upfront and added two $500k payments in 2024, bringing the total to $6 million.
For all your NASCAR ’25 updates, make sure to check out the Daily Downforce on Discord, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
