The NASCAR 25 release date controversy has ignited frustration and debate throughout the stock car racing community, as fans react to the game’s late-season launch and the announced delay for PC players. With anticipation running high and tempers flaring online, the choice to release the first simulation NASCAR console title since 2021 on October 14—exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S at launch, with a Steam version to arrive later—has split fan opinion and left many feeling sidelined.
Developed by a team with deep roots in NASCAR gaming and published by iRacing for the first time, NASCAR 25 aims to rekindle the passion of past classics by including multiple racing series and an immersive Career Mode. However, instead of universal excitement, the game’s rollout has triggered intense waves of support, skepticism, and outright anger, particularly due to platform restrictions and unmet expectations for timely content reveals.
iRacing’s Big Step: Legacy and High Hopes
For years, stock car racing fans have been vocal about their desire for a feature-rich NASCAR video game capturing the sport’s competitive essence. With NASCAR and iRacing announcing NASCAR 25’s arrival for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, expectations soared. The addition of the ARCA Menards Series alongside the main NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman NASCAR drivers are from the U.S., but some come from Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australasia. All Cup Series races take place in the U.S. and Mexico. A season includes 36 points-paying races, plus a pre-season Clash and a mid-season All-Star race.
