We’re still some ways off. But by the looks of things, Monster Games and iRacing are hard at work crafting the new NASCAR game, set to hit shelves in fall 2025. It’s been three years already since NASCAR 21: Ignition turned out to be the underwhelming commodity for consoles worldwide. That’s not to mention the sub-par simulation experiences that all the other dedicated stock car racing games released in the decade prior.

But all the pre-release content that’s out for the much-anticipated NASCAR ’25 promises nothing but good things. The hype is certainly building up a lot of steam. Now, can it match the excitement of those earlier games of the 2000s, like Dirt to Daytona or NASCAR Thunder that remains the gold standard for NASCAR games for multiple gamers even today? Maybe not. However, the future might just flip the entire narrative on its head with the NASCAR ’25 project.

iRacing’s $6M gamble could be the future of NASCAR gaming

Taking Monster Games’ visual advancements in the ‘Heat’ series as a measuring stick, there’s a lot to look forward to in the bigger picture. For starters, iRacing made a significant investment of nearly $6 million to purchase the rights to use the NASCAR license from Motorsports Games, the company responsible for developing NASCAR 21: Ignition. Before that, it was not a secret the NASCAR games were struggling for budget. Truth be told, iRacing, the world’s premier racing simulator, acquiring Monster Games’ operations in 2022, simultaneously becoming the publisher for NASCAR ’25 has proven to be a game-changer for the project.

iRacing brings with them a wealth of resources like laser-scanned pinpoint renditions of race tracks around the globe. They practically have exact virtual replicas of each NASCAR circuit on the schedule, complete with the imperfections and bumps one would notice during an actual race on TV. iRacing boasts an impressive roster of personnel that includes guys like Steve Reis, iRacing’s Lead Vehicle Design Engineer, and a former NASCAR Cup Series race engineer who’s worked with drivers like Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski. And, of course, an honorable mention must go to the one and only Dale Earnhardt Jr, who joined iRacing in 2020, as executive director.

Those people are all responsible in some form or manner for the new NASCAR game currently undergoing development. And if the Dev Diaries suggest anything, they’re counting on it big to win back the trust lost to the gaming experience of all those below-average NASCAR titles in recent memory. Episode 2 of their Dev Diary from a few weeks ago revealed renders of what looked like the Ford Mustang Dark Horse model in all its pre-production glory. In the words of Steve Reis, “We’re looking to provide the user with changes in weight, tyre characteristics, horsepower, aerodynamics – all that to give the user the most immersive experience possible.”

Everything considered, the signs remain positive so early in the development stage. YouTuber @RealRadman did a reaction video where he broke down the Dev Diary episode with a lot more detail, and that is certainly a must-watch for all who are eagerly waiting for updates on NASCAR ’25. However, seemingly the case for every NASCAR simulation project of this scale, this game, just like its predecessors, has raised steady doubts.

To begin with, there is still no confirmation on whether NASCAR ’25 will receive a PC version. Now, technically, that doesn’t mean NASCAR ’25 is not coming to PC. After all, when iRacing made the official announcement back in October 2023, the Steam logo was one of those featured on the graphic next to the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch emblems. It does allow Monster Games to create a NASCAR game more suited to the casual audience, who don’t want to invest in a complete sim-rig that supports iRacing level of gameplay.

But beyond that, would iRacing want to risk having another competitor to its standalone racing sim which, if executed properly, could take away a significant portion of NASCAR diehards craving that authentic stock car racing experience? If they do, would they go all in on the AAA route with a one-time purchase scheme? Or do they go for a much more modern subscription-based payout system that incentivizes their efforts with downloadable content and pay-to-use features? As of now, the answers to those questions are anyone’s guess.

Regardless, the development stage has seen plenty of positive updates since its initial announcement one year ago.

Physics, Xfinity cars, and spotter voices: Inside NASCAR ’25’s innovations

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First off, NASCAR ’25 is being developed on the latest edition of Epic Games’ cutting-edge Unreal Engine. Even NASCAR 21: Ignition used the Unreal Engine, but it was the precursor to Unreal Engine 5. And let’s be honest, for all the complaints we have with Ignition, it is still an immensely good-looking game even to this day. However, that’s just the beginning. There have been announcements in the past about the new NASCAR game hosting a career mode potentially. With that update itself, it might distinguish itself even further from iRacing’s pure-racing simulator experience.

There cannot be more immersive features in a video game than a dedicated single-player career mode, with in-game incentives like unlockables and legacy content. There have also been talks about a paint booth in the game which would allow fans to create their custom paint schemes. But for now, there’s no news on that probable career mode or the paint booth in NASCAR ’25.

Then, in October, iRacing senior executive, Steve Myers posted a Twitter thread where he revealed he had run a “physics prototype” on NASCAR ’25, while also uncovering the little detail about having an Xfinity Series car in the game. Myers asserted both cars felt vastly different on the controller, and potential features like that make the wait even more exciting. Additionally, a few weeks ago on the Dale Jr Download, Dale Jr, and his close friend, TJ Majors, who spots for Brad Keselowski in the Cup Series confirmed some exciting news. Majors let us know he will lend his voice as an official character in NASCAR ’25, as one of the spotter voices in the players’ ears guiding them in the game.

And as the release inches closer, the iceberg of content will only unravel further. Now, nothing is a reality until the game is ready to ship to eager players worldwide. But it is about time someone put this level of detail into a NASCAR game. With games like Ignition now becoming a relic of the past, the hopes for NASCAR ’25 to impress remain high among the collective NASCAR community.