Anticipation is mounting as NASCAR teases the official NASCAR 25 video game cover stars, prompting a flurry of speculation across social media. With the official reveal imminent, fans and industry figures are eager to see which drivers will be featured when the game arrives in October 2025.
Excitement Builds Around NASCAR 25’s Upcoming Launch and Cover Reveal
The upcoming game, NASCAR 25, marks the franchise’s long-awaited return to consoles as an official, multi-platform release, with Monster Games developing and iRacing Studios publishing. Set to debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on October 14, 2025, with a Windows PC release following later via Steam, this installment ushers in a new era for NASCAR’s digital racing experience. As iRacing now holds the license, expectations are high for enhanced realism and expanded gameplay.
NASCAR energized its fanbase by posting a shadowy preview of the game’s cover stars on social media, fueling debate and fresh predictions from enthusiasts.
“We are SO ready for you all to see this. Tomorrow, the NASCAR 25 cover art gets revealed.”
—NASCAR, Official X Account
Almost immediately, fans began sharing their choices and theories regarding which drivers could make the cover. Prominent names such as Bubba Wallace, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell were frequently mentioned among fan predictions and hopeful guesses.
“Bubba, Byron and Blaney lol I’ve told everybody for months”
—Fan Commentator
“Byron, Bubba, Logano is my prediction”
—Fan Commentator
“$100 on Byron being somewhat part of the cover”
—Fan Commentator
“As a Byron fan, I hope he’s on the cover if not, hopefully someone else deserving is on it like Larson, Hamlin, or Bell,”
—Fan Commentator
Enhanced Realism and Expanded Game Features
Developed using Unreal Engine, NASCAR 25 sets out to deliver the most authentic and lifelike digital NASCAR racing yet. The game is expected to include comprehensive representations of the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Players can look forward to competing with a roster of approximately 190 licensed drivers and accessing an impressive library of over 400 officially licensed paint schemes.
Career Mode debuts with an immersive structure, enabling players to create their own drivers, negotiate sponsorships and contracts, and make strategic business and racing decisions. This mode allows progression from the ARCA Menards Series all the way up to the elite NASCAR Cup Series, promising a deep and dynamic experience for racing enthusiasts.
Soundtrack Selections Face Unique Hurdles
The game‘s executive producer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., shed light on the complexity behind assembling the game’s soundtrack, especially in terms of hip-hop inclusion. Earnhardt Jr. noted that securing a range of hip-hop tracks proved to be a formidable challenge due to the intricate rights involved for both original and sample-based compositions. Budget limitations further narrowed the options, resulting in only one hip-hop song making the cut—a track by Lil Wayne. According to Earnhardt Jr.:
“Clearing hip hop music was really tough. I had a Lil Wayne song I wanted on there as well as others. 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. Hope this helps. I know we can get a better balance. Hope to get to help with next years game and make that happen.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Executive Producer, NASCAR 25
Despite the difficulties, the finished playlist offers a variety of musical styles, spanning rap, rock, country, and nostalgic tunes—designed to both embrace NASCAR’s cultural roots and energize a diverse fan community.
What the Cover Reveal Means for Fans and the Future of NASCAR Gaming
The buzz surrounding the NASCAR 25 video game cover stars emphasizes the sport’s deep connection with its passionate fanbase and the excitement generated by new releases. As iRacing Studios and Monster Games work to deliver a dynamic, authentic experience, the spotlight now turns to the official reveal and the legacy it could set for future gaming projects.
With expanded features, a broad driver lineup, and careful attention to fan engagement—including feedback on soundtrack choices—the anticipation for NASCAR 25 continues to grow. The chosen cover stars, soon to be unveiled, will symbolize the next chapter for both NASCAR’s digital presence and its ongoing relationship with racing fans worldwide.
