I didn’t really know what to expect when I picked up NASCAR 25 a few weeks ago. To be honest, I haven’t spent meaningful time with a NASCAR game since the 2000s — back when NASCAR Thunder 2004 and NASCAR 06: Total Team Control were my go-tos. So I’ll admit, I don’t have much of a frame of reference for what the more recent entries have been like. Still, that didn’t stop me from enjoying NASCAR 25 for what it is and being pleasantly surprised by its offerings.
NASCAR 25 – Operation Sports Review
What I Like
Let’s start with what matters most: the racing.
The cars handle exactly how I hoped they would. You can really feel the weight and grip shifting through corners, and there’s a satisfying difference between series and car setups. I’ve seen some players describe the handling as “tight but fair,” and I’d agree with that — it rewards precision without feeling overly punishing. Whether I’m running Bristol or Talladega, it always feels like I’m racing, not just steering.
What impressed me most was how NASCAR 25 captures the chaos and rhythm of racing on superspeedways. Pack racing has always been one of the sport’s biggest selling points, and here it genuinely shines. Running bumper-to-bumper with 40 cars feels tense and immersive in a way few racing games manage. It’s not about raw speed — it’s about racecraft. You need to read the draft, bump strategically, and choose your moments to move up. Finding the right line and working with (and sometimes against) the flow of the pack is where NASCAR 25 feels most alive.
Career mode might be my favorite part of NASCAR 25 so far. I love the progression system — starting in ARCA, moving to the Truck Series, then to Xfinity, and eventually the Cup Series. It makes every race matter. What surprised me most, though, is how much the game punishes careless driving. Wreck too much, and you’ll drain your funds with constant repair costs. It’s a subtle but smart mechanic that adds an extra layer of tension.
If you want to actually run a team cleanly and efficiently, you can’t just send it into every corner, and that forces you to think like a real driver. That kind of consequence-driven design is something I didn’t expect from this series, and I’m glad it’s here.
What I Don’t Like
One thing that’s really disappointed me so far is that it doesn’t seem like you can have more than one sponsor on your car in Career Mode. It’s a small thing, but it feels like a missed opportunity — especially when other sports games have gone all-in on customization and team branding.
Beyond that, as much as I enjoy the on-track action, I’m not sure NASCAR 25 has the long-term hooks to keep me coming back once other big games hit. The upgrade system is pretty straightforward — more expensive parts are better, that’s about it. And outside of the career ladder, there isn’t a ton that pushes you to keep playing beyond chasing wins. Plus, as I alluded to earlier, stock car racing hasn’t been among my favorite racing disciplines in years — Formula 1 and IndyCar are the series I typically watch.
Online play also feels bare-bones. The lobby system works, but it doesn’t feel as refined as what I’d expect in 2025. A few other players have mentioned that matchmaking is inconsistent and they’ve experienced some connection hiccups, which I’ve also observed. Nothing game-breaking, but it’s noticeable. There’s also the issue with many of the players you load up with being casual and not really knowing how to navigate tracks without causing a 3-car pileup each time.
Bottom Line
When it’s just you, the car, and the track — NASCAR 25 delivers. The racing is smooth, responsive, and rewarding. Career Mode, while not revolutionary, has enough layers to keep you invested for a while. The sense of progression from ARCA to the Cup Series feels authentic, and there’s real tension in balancing your budget, avoiding damage, and maintaining your momentum.
But for as much as I like it, I don’t know if I’ll be pouring dozens more hours into it long-term, especially with the recent release of ARC Raiders and the imminent release of Football Manager 26. It’s a great game for NASCAR fans — probably the best this series has been in years — but for people more into sim racing or F1-style experiences, it might not have the same staying power.
Still, I’m impressed. NASCAR 25 is deeper than I expected, cleaner than I feared, and fun enough that I’ll definitely keep coming back between other releases.
