The upcoming NASCAR 25 video game, developed by iRacing and set for release this fall, will feature 45 official NASCAR Cup Series drivers—but 15 other drivers with starts in the 2025 season are not included. These omissions, which notably affect competitors like Connor Zilisch and Katherine Legge, have added a clear sense of frustration within the NASCAR community as the game prepares for a multi-platform debut.
After parting ways with EA, NASCAR is entering a new era for its licensed gaming, entrusting iRacing, known for its motorsports simulations, with the development of this much-anticipated title. Scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on October 15th, 2025, NASCAR 25 is also expected to arrive on PC and Steam, though no launch date for these platforms has been confirmed. Fans had hoped for a comprehensive roster that included every driver who took part in the current season.
Active Drivers Missing from the NASCAR 25 Cup Series Lineup
Despite efforts to showcase the depth of the sport, the official NASCAR Cup Series driver list for NASCAR 25 is missing 15 drivers who have already competed in the 2025 season. Among the most significant names omitted are Katherine Legge, who made five starts this season, Jesse Love with four, and Connor Zilisch, who lined up three times. Both Love and Zilisch are also fighting for the 2025 Xfinity championship, heightening the stakes of their exclusion.
Interestingly, images shared online show that Connor Zilisch was previously present in the NASCAR 25 video game lineup during beta testing accessed by professional drivers in garage settings. This suggests that roster choices may have shifted late into development, a move that has drawn attention and concern from fans following these drivers’ real-life performances.
Full List of Omitted Cup Series Drivers
The following drivers, all of whom have raced at least once in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, are currently not included on the game’s launch roster:
1. Katherine Legge – 5 Starts
2. Jesse Love – 4 Starts
3. Connor Zilisch – 3 Starts
4. BJ McLeod – 3 Starts
5. Austin Hill – 2 Starts
6. Corey Heim – 2 Starts
7. Ryan Truex – 1 Start
8. Anthony Alfredo – 1 Start
9. David Starr – 1 Start
10. Brennan Poole – 1 Start
11. Joey Gase – 1 Start
12. Justin Allgaier – 1 Start
13. Derek Kraus – 1 Start
14. Casey Mears – 1 Start
15. Will Brown – 1 Start
For Zilisch and Love, their current battle for the Xfinity Series title underscores their profiles in the sport, making their omission especially baffling. However, it remains possible that some or all of these drivers could join the NASCAR 25 video game roster later through downloadable content, though no official confirmation has been provided at this time.
Potential for Future Roster Updates
As excitement builds towards the release, players are left to wonder if iRacing and NASCAR will address these roster gaps post-launch. There is speculation that omitted drivers may eventually become available as part of future updates or DLC add-ons. Until further announcements are made, however, fans of drivers like Katherine Legge, Jesse Love, Connor Zilisch, Corey Heim, and others face a wait to see if their favorite competitors become playable in this new NASCAR title.
The finalized Cup Series lineup of NASCAR 25 not only leaves noticeable absences for engaged fans but also raises broader questions about how decisions are made regarding driver inclusion. The game‘s release will likely rekindle conversation about representation in digital motorsports as well as the ongoing evolution of NASCAR’s relationship with fan engagement through gaming.
