Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced that drivers Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace played a key role in selecting tracks for the highly anticipated NASCAR 25 video game, which launches in October for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The collaboration spotlights the Dale Earnhardt Jr NASCAR 25 soundtrack, enhanced by high-profile rock bands and driver influence on music choices.
Drivers Collaborate on Music Selection for NASCAR 25
On social media, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared that Blaney and Wallace offered substantial input during the curation of the NASCAR 25 soundtrack, bringing new energy to the franchise’s music direction. The game aims to connect more closely with fans by involving athletes directly in its development.
The upcoming title, developed by iRacing in partnership with NASCAR, will be released on October 14. Gamers can access it on major consoles and on PC through digital streaming, expanding its reach to a wider audience as excitement builds ahead of the launch.
Big-Name Bands Join the Tracklist
Earnhardt Jr. unveiled that rock groups like Breaking Benjamin and Royal Blood will feature songs on the official in-game playlist.
“Cool thing about [Breaking Benjamin] being included in [NASCAR 25], they reached out to us to express interest.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“That was awesome that they had that energy and were appreciative of their connection to past racing releases.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
The involvement of popular acts such as Breaking Benjamin, who proactively contacted the team to join, demonstrates a mutual appreciation between the gaming, music, and racing industries. This collaboration enhances the immersion and appeal of the latest simulation title.
Development Insights and Licensing Challenges
NASCAR 25 has been under development for two years, following iRacing’s acquisition of the NASCAR Team Properties’ exclusive game license from Motorsport Games in 2023. This change in stewardship marked a fresh chapter for the racing series’ gaming legacy, aiming for authenticity and innovation under the new partnership.
During a past episode of Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt Jr. provided insight into the complexities of assembling the soundtrack.
“The great thing about being asked to be involved in this is I get to kind of go on this ride to learn about how you get the rights to these songs, what does that cost? How expensive is it?”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“…It’ll be fun to see what kind of budget we have, what kind of expense this will cost, I’m going to learn so much through this process. You have to have somebody go out and reach out to each individual person that owns the license, and it might be multiple people that own the license to one song, and you have to pay each one of those individuals. It’s not a simple situation.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
His comments highlighted the behind-the-scenes efforts needed to secure musical rights, emphasizing that putting together a soundtrack for a major gaming release requires negotiations with several rights holders and careful management of the overall budget.
What NASCAR 25 Will Offer Players
Both Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace are expected to feature among the prominent drivers included in the game, alongside the top teams of the NASCAR Cup Series. Additionally, NASCAR 25 will allow players to experience not only the Cup Series but also the Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series.
Players can compete in a range of gameplay modes, from Career Mode to quick races and multi-season events, reflecting the depth and range of today’s NASCAR landscape. The diverse roster and music selection give fans a rich and immersive experience.
Broader Significance of Driver and Artist Participation
The collaboration between Dale Earnhardt Jr., Blaney, and Wallace, along with engagement from major rock bands, signals a shift in how sports gaming content is curated. Bringing professional drivers into the development process and connecting with artists eager to participate in racing games demonstrates NASCAR’s willingness to innovate and strengthen fan engagement.
As the launch approaches, the involvement of key figures from the NASCAR community and celebrated musicians positions NASCAR 25 as not just a racing title but a cultural event, likely to attract both gamers and racing fans looking for fresh, authentic experiences.
