NASCAR 25 female drivers controversy has erupted ahead of the highly anticipated release of NASCAR 25, as several well-known female competitors were excluded from the game’s 176-driver roster, igniting heated debate among fans. Developed by iRacing and launching on October 14, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, the decision to omit certain drivers has led to widespread calls for an explanation from NASCAR and its partners.
Driver Roster Raises Concerns About Representation
NASCAR 25 introduces a broad selection of racers, featuring lineups from the Cup, Xfinity, Truck, and ARCA Menards Series. While the Cup Series includes 45 drivers, the Xfinity Series 44, the Truck roster 48, and the ARCA Series 57, fans quickly noticed that some prominent names did not make the list.
Among the most pointed omissions is Katherine Legge of Live Fast Motorsports, a British driver with experience in both the Cup and Xfinity Series throughout the current season. Tricon Garage’s rising star, Toni Breidinger, was also not included, despite significant participation and increasing recognition in the Truck Series.
The situation intensified when comparisons revealed that certain male drivers with part-time schedules were added over more active female racers. Connor Zilisch, representing JR Motorsports, appears in the Xfinity lineup, but not the Cup Series, even after racing for Trackhouse Racing in the No. 87 Chevrolet. Meanwhile, NASCAR community members highlighted inconsistencies in the process, especially when part-time competitors were favored over dedicated female athletes.
Social Media Reaction and Fan Frustration
Fan response was swift and vocal following the roster’s announcement. Social platforms were flooded with questions about selection choices, with specific attention paid to perceived inequalities in female driver representation. One observant fan challenged the process by asking,
Burt Myers included, but not Katherine legge?
—Fan on social media
Comparisons of driver statistics further fueled criticism.
Katherine Legge has made five Cup starts this year and she’s not in @Nascar25Game Martin Truex Jr. and Helio Castroneves made one start and are in it. Burt Myers ran the Clash and Martinsvile and he’s in it.
—Daniel McFadin, journalist
The exclusion of active female competitors, despite their recent performances and growing fan bases, has intensified the controversy, adding to an already tense atmosphere in the lead-up to the game’s debut.
Public Outcry for Greater Inclusion
Calls for better representation in NASCAR games are growing, as consumers stress the role that visibility plays in encouraging young women to participate in the sport and gaming. This sentiment was articulated by a supporter noting,
There should be a woman in no matter just for young females that want to play the game. Toni, Katherine any of the up and coming women.
—Supporter on social media
The lack of female drivers on the roster, even when compared to part-time male additions, has left many feeling that opportunities for inspiration are being missed. The conversation has not merely focused on fairness, but also on the wider impact such decisions have on future generations of racers and fans.
Speculation has grown that some omitted drivers could appear as future downloadable content (DLC), a common practice in the gaming industry. Frustration over this possibility surfaced online, with predictions like,
Theyre gonna make Zilisch, Love, Heim, Legge, etc DLC for an insane price.
—Observer on social media
Other Notable Absences and Who Made the Cut
In addition to missing prominent female drivers, fans have noticed the absence of celebrated NASCAR legends such as Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Elliott, and Rusty Wallace, unless they are revealed in future updates. Conversely, current drivers like Ross Chastain, Josh Bilicki, and William Sawalich are set to appear in multiple series, ensuring that the modern racing landscape will be represented in some fashion.
What Comes Next for NASCAR 25 and Its Community
With the October 14 launch date approaching, NASCAR and iRacing face mounting pressure from fans to revise the driver roster, especially amidst controversy surrounding the lack of female drivers. As the NASCAR 25 female drivers controversy continues to generate headlines and industry discussion, all eyes are on how the game’s creators and NASCAR leadership respond—whether with roster updates, DLC announcements, or policy changes—to address questions of representation and fairness ahead of release.
