The NASCAR 25 official game soundtrack was revealed ahead of the game’s October 14, 2025 launch, prompting a wave of mixed feedback from fans online. As the first NASCAR console title developed by iRacing, this release is garnering notable attention, with the soundtrack—an effort involving Dale Earnhardt Jr. and several Cup Series drivers—becoming a point of lively discussion.
Soundtrack Release and Fan Responses
On August 15, the official NASCAR 25 Spotify playlist, featuring 28 tracks, made its debut through the game‘s X (formerly Twitter) account. Dale Earnhardt Jr., who lent his expertise alongside current Cup Series drivers, curated the collection. The announcement was met with excitement, as seen in the post:
“🎶Your official NASCAR 25 Soundtrack is here!🎧”
Yet, as racing fans explored the list, reactions were far from uniform. A number expressed disappointment over the track selection, with pointed opinions on the predominant genres. Some users were particularly vocal about their grievances:
“This Is The Most Disappointing Video Game Soundtrack, Only Two Good Songs And Their Both Country Songs 💀💀💀,” commented an X user.
Other listeners took interest in the musical influences at play, crediting Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the presence of certain rock songs and referencing longstanding favorites:
“I’m guessing @DaleJr had a little something to do with The Clincher by Chevelle. You learned that one from Madden 2005, just like me didn’t ya? What’s crazy is there are a lot of songs that get old after a while. The Clincher never gets old. Shoutout to those guys.” —fan
While some comments implied potential limitations or budget issues behind the soundtrack composition, ranging sentiments were reflected:
“I guess the budget ran out halfway through this thing,” a fan wrote.
“Listening to it so far not bad,” an X user penned.
Another said,”I kinda like it 🤷🏾♂️”
Game Features and Player Experience
Beyond the soundtrack, NASCAR 25 is designed as a comprehensive motorsports experience, incorporating the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Players are given the opportunity to chart a career beginning in ARCA, progressing to the Cup level, while also engaging as a team owner responsible for staff management and vehicle improvements. The user-driven dynamic aims to appeal to both returning gamers and new fans of the franchise.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Details Music Licensing Hurdles
Responding to fans concerned by the exclusion of hip hop from the NASCAR 25 official game soundtrack, Dale Earnhardt Jr. offered insight into the complex process behind securing music rights. He shed light on the negotiations and budgetary obstacles faced during the soundtrack’s development, especially with songs involving sampling.
“Clearing hip hop music was really tough. I had a Lil Wayne song I wanted on there as well as others,” he said. —Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“To clear a song what has sampled music, you have to get the rights to not only the current artist and publisher but also the rights of the sample (artist and publisher) Getting in contact and a response with all those people is one challenge. Working with a budget also made that a real challenge,” he added. —Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt signaled intentions to achieve greater musical variety in future editions, underscoring ongoing efforts to adapt the franchise in response to fan feedback.
Looking Ahead for the NASCAR Gaming Series
NASCAR 25 is among the most awaited motorsports games since NASCAR 21: Ignition, the franchise’s last entry, first released in 2021 and subsequently updated for newer gaming platforms. With renewed attention on gameplay advances and expanded content, anticipation remains strong for the new title despite divided opinions about its soundtrack. How fans adapt to these choices—and whether feedback prompts change in future installments—will continue shaping the evolution of the NASCAR gaming franchise.
