The debut of NASCAR 25, the first official NASCAR console game from iRacing, has fueled controversy over its William Byron NASCAR 25 rating, with fans challenging the game’s decision to award Byron a perfect 100 overall. The game’s early Gold Edition started rolling out at midnight on October 10, giving players a first look at the divisive ratings, while standard edition players on Xbox Series X, Series S, and PlayStation 5 will get access on October 14.
Byron Achieves Top Status in NASCAR 25 Ratings
Out of more than 170 NASCAR and ARCA drivers available in NASCAR 25, only three secured a 100 overall rating. William Byron led the NASCAR Cup Series ratings, with Connor Zilisch topping the Xfinity Series and Corey Heim doing the same for the Truck Series. Byron, who drives the #24 car for Hendrick Motorsports, earned his 100 rating after claiming this year’s regular-season championship and making back-to-back appearances in the Championship 4. His placement at the top has triggered a heated debate in the racing community.
Developers Base Ratings on Driver Versatility
The game’s developers explained that each driver’s overall number stemmed from an analysis of their skills across varying track types. They assessed traits like consistency, raw speed, and adaptability, aiming to determine which driver could perform well on any surface or circuit. Byron’s detailed ratings included a 98 on superspeedways, a 94 on speedways, a perfect 100 on intermediates, a 97 on short intermediates, a 90 on concrete tracks, and an 88 for road courses. These numbers reflect his adaptable performance but stand as a key talking point among skeptics.
Fan Response: Challenging Byron’s Perfect Score
Not all fans agreed with the selection of Byron as NASCAR 25’s top-rated driver. Denny Hamlin came in just behind Byron with a 99 overall, boasting perfect marks on both speedways and concrete tracks, while Kyle Larson matched him with a 99 as well. Outcry spread across social media, with some accusing the ratings of bias and questioning the realism of Byron’s score.
“Yeah let’s give a guy who has never won a championship a 100 overall!”
— Fan
“I know he is the cover driver and has a great relationship with iRacing but really? The only drivers the should have that rating would be legend drivers.”
— Fan
“I don’t think any driver should be a 100, but even if their were one, it would need to be like a 1998 Jeff Gordon. Not 2025 Byron.”
— Fan
“Y’all think William Byron is best NASCAR driver in the Cup Series. He’s not even the best driver at Hendrick.”
— Fan
Official Recognition and Further Comparison to Other Racing Games
NASCAR itself promoted Byron’s elite status in the game, declaring,
“From the sim to the superspeedways, his skills are elite.@WilliamByron stands alone in the Cup Series with a 100 OVR rating in @NASCAR25Game. pic.twitter.com/Lg0YOcvqXs”
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 9, 2025. The discussion has drawn comparisons to other motorsport gaming franchises, such as Formula 1’s official games, known for assigning even the best drivers low-90s ratings rather than straight perfect scores.
“Even in F1 the best drivers on it have like low 90s I don’t think anyone should have a 100.”
— Fan
Mixed Reception From Early Players
Early adopters who paid extra for Gold Edition access generally noted the upgrades, particularly the improvements from the troubled NASCAR 21: Ignition release. Players highlighted the significant visual enhancements, more reliable performance, and advanced AI that allows for true side-by-side racing and a more unpredictable field.
Potential Impact on Gaming and Fan Perception
The reaction to the William Byron NASCAR 25 rating exposes deep divides within the gaming and NASCAR communities over what defines true excellence. As more players try NASCAR 25, feedback on driver rankings and gameplay will likely intensify, shaping both future updates and the ongoing debate over digital sports authenticity. The impact will extend to fans, drivers such as Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Connor Zilisch, and Corey Heim, and possibly even NASCAR’s evolving relationship with its digital audience.
I don’t think any driver should be a 100, but even if their were one, it would need to be like a 1998 Jeff Gordon. Not 2025 Byron
— Go Heels (@sfosterburner) October 9, 2025
From the sim to the superspeedways, his skills are elite.@WilliamByron stands alone in the Cup Series with a 100 OVR rating in @NASCAR25Game. pic.twitter.com/Lg0YOcvqXs
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 9, 2025
