NASCAR 25 Release Date, Platforms, Modes, Gameplay Features Revealed
- Sagar Mankar
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
iRacing has officially confirmed that NASCAR 25 will launch on October 14, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, marking the franchise's return to console gaming after a long hiatus.
The PC version will be released later via Steam, although no exact date has been given yet.
This release marks a major milestone for the NASCAR gaming franchise, which hasn’t seen a console entry since the troubled NASCAR 21: Ignition from Motorsport Games. Now, under the guidance of iRacing, fans are hoping for a much-needed refresh—and the early signs suggest that they might finally get what they've been waiting for.
A New Era Begins for NASCAR Console Games
This will be iRacing’s first console NASCAR title, and expectations are high. The studio brings years of sim-racing credibility from the PC space, and fans are optimistic about what happens when that expertise gets combined with console accessibility. The game will feature four playable series—Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and for the first time ever in a standalone NASCAR console game, the ARCA Menards Series.
In a short teaser trailer released on July 25, fans got a brief glimpse of William Byron’s 24 Hendrick Motorsports car in its signature red Axalta livery, as well as a shot of the Bristol Motor Speedway. Full gameplay trailer is expected in late August, potentially around the time of Gamescom.
No Local Multiplayer, But Strong Online Options
During an interview on Insider Gaming’s Developer Spotlight, producer Matt Lewis revealed several key multiplayer details. Notably, local split-screen multiplayer won’t be available in year one, as the development team chose to focus on polishing core gameplay and other foundational features. However, private lobbies will be available for league racing, and online multiplayer will support up to 40 players in Cup races and 36 in Truck races.
While spectator mode won’t be available at launch, Lewis confirmed it’s on the roadmap for future updates. “We need to get the core right for year one,” he explained. “Then really figure out how we expand.”
iRacing also plans to launch special online events across various tracks to keep the multiplayer experience dynamic.
Career Mode: Start from the Bottom and Climb the Ranks
Career mode will see players begin in the ARCA Menards Series from a humble family-run shop. From there, they’ll manage their team, finances, and career progression as they climb toward the Cup Series.
Key features include:
Customizing your driver and vehicles (e.g., fire suit, helmet, gloves, car paint schemes).
Managing contracts, finances, staff, and facilities.
Making strategic "Turning Points" decisions (e.g., sponsorship deals, movie roles) that impact your career both on and off the track.
Optional in-game purchases like pre-order bonuses for extra in-game cash or performance upgrades (e.g., golden engines, chassis, or suspension).
Customizable pit strategies, such as choosing to change only two tires, and the option to enable stage racing.
However, no "silly season" (driver transfers) or ability to hire drivers for your own team, and players must start in ARCA with no option to begin in higher series.
Built on iRacing’s Technology, Powered by Unreal Engine
While the game runs on Unreal Engine for graphical fidelity, Matt confirmed that developers has built custom physics and gameplay systems on top of it. This hybrid approach combines the visual power of Unreal with the driving feel and simulation depth iRacing is known for.
According to the developers, most of the tracks and cars are laser-scanned, and physics tuning is done by the same team behind the iRacing sim. The game aims to strike a “sim-cade” balance, offering realism without overwhelming casual players. AI behavior is track-specific and modeled after real driver tendencies using Racing Insights data—meaning drivers like Kyle Larson will prefer high lines, and William Byron will race differently at Martinsville than Somona, just like in real life.
More Features on the Horizon
Some other highlights from NASCAR 25 include:
A paint booth to design custom liveries and even player signatures.
Authentic race-day atmosphere, complete with pit road scenes and real-life spotters like TJ Majors.
An improved damage model, where major wrecks can visibly tear apart cars.
Controller-first optimization, while still offering full wheel and pedal support.
Extensive accessibility settings and driving assists that scale from beginner to expert.
As per Matt, the development team currently sits at about 50 full-time members, supported by additional iRacing staff across projects. Former NASCAR drivers and experts like Dale Earnhardt Jr. are actively involved, lending authenticity and feedback during development.
What’s Next?
More details about game modes, features, and possibly new tracks will be revealed in the next Developer Diary, expected soon. The official game cover is also on the way, along with deep-dive videos that will take fans closer to the action ahead of launch.
NASCAR 25 launches on October 14, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with the PC (Steam) release following shortly after.
No Nintendo Switch port will be released, even though it was listed earlier. Matt mentioned that this was "never really a plan," pointing to a limited audience and development costs as the main reasons.