NASCAR 25 is coming out this fall, revitalizing the hit racing simulation line of video games. There have been some NASCAR titles out almost yearly for a long time now, but an official, yearly release like the Maddens and 2Ks of the world has been absent until this year. As of Thursday, July 24, we now know exactly when the highly anticipated title is going to hit shelves.

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According to an official teaser, NASCAR 25 fans can mark October 14, 2025, on their calendars. On that day, the game will officially race onto shelves and digital downloads. There has not been a game in this line since 2023, and that was a mobile game. For consoles, it’s been since 2021.

NASCAR 25 Launch Day Announcement

The virtual engines fire on October 14th, 2025! pic.twitter.com/Cn7zWfGXjn — NASCAR 25 Game (@Nascar25Game) July 24, 2025

Since those games, the series has changed hands in terms of development. This will be iRacing Studios’ first time with the series. Previously, Monster Games, Eutechnyx, and 704 Games have developed it in the last several years.

iRacing Studios is also publishing the game. It’s the first time the same studio has developed and published a NASCAR game (excluding NASCAR Manager, an iOS and Android release) since 2021.

As far as platforms go, this one is going to be available on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5. PC, thanks to Steam, will get a release eventually, but there is no date yet for that version. As of now, neither Nintendo Switch console is poised to get it.

This is a significant return. As mentioned, the last console game in this series was NASCAR 21: Ignition. That one effectively derailed the franchise, as it was so bug-filled and had so many issues that it got labeled the worst NASCAR game ever. That could mean that there is nowhere to go but up, but it’s a dubious thing to try following.

That forced a bit of a reevaluation for the franchise, which is now entrusting its future to iRacing. It’s their first console game, so a lot is riding on the October launch of this game for both parties.

iRacing Studios is the creator of the top simulation racing software in the racing world. Online NASCAR and F1 leagues utilize their program, and professional teams and leagues have used it to train drivers and design new tracks. NASCAR itself just used the program for a recently announced race in San Diego.

Should this game also be a dud, it would spell doom for both iRacing and the NASCAR franchise. It would be a tough sell to any developers to come in and take on a franchise that’s fizzled out with its last two console releases, and iRacing’s brilliant reputation in the industry would take a major hit as well. Racing games are also pretty popular, especially the arcade-style ones, so another bad “realistic” game might be damaging to the whole genre.

NASCAR 25 will include four of the sport’s top circuits: the Cup, Xfinity, Craftsman Truck, and ARCA Menards series. There will also be a career mode where you can manage and customize everything from drivers and cars to contracts, facilities, and more. You’ll have complete control. Online and multiplayer modes will also be present.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Developers finally have a release date for the highly-anticipated “NASCAR 25” console video game.

“NASCAR 25′ will come out Oct. 14, 2025, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The PC version, via Steam, will be released soon afterward.

Courtesy of NASCAR25.com

“NASCAR 25” is the first standalone NASCAR console title iRacing has produced. iRacing is bringing “decades of racing expertise” to “NASCAR 25”, including developers who worked on fan-favorite NASCAR games like “NASCAR Racing 2003 Season”, “NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona”, and the “NASCAR Thunder” series.

“NASCAR 25” will feature the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series plus the ARCA Menards Series. The game will feature all four series with real drivers from each — and a career mode. The career mode will allow you to customize your own driver and vehicles, manage contracts, money, facility and staff.

“You can also make strategic choices on and off the track that play a pivotal role in your journey to becoming a NASCAR Cup Series champion,” developers stated in a press release.

Other gameplay modes include quick races, seasons and online multiplayer.

Feb 22, 2017; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; A view of the NASCAR logo and the Toyota logo on the fire suit of NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch during Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Finally, after a lot of waiting for NASCAR gamers out there, the much-hyped NASCAR 25 release date has been revealed. This fall, you can go on your own stock car racing journey in the all-new game from iRacing.

There have been so many hype videos and teasers so far. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is involved in the development. This is expected to be the best NASCAR game in a generation. That isn’t saying much, given the quality of the games in the last few years.

October 14, 2025. The big day is going to be here in less than three months. Perhaps later than expected, but it is going to be here soon.

NASCAR 25 is a big deal. Having iRacing come in and make this game is a great sign that it will be a success. On top of that, there is going to be an extensive career mode that will take gamers from ARCA to the heights of the Cup Series.

Now, the release date might not be so bad. October is right in the middle of the NASCAR Playoffs. There will be a lot of attention on the sport, and adding a game release into that is a big deal. Hopefully, it leads to more eyes on TV and more sales for the game.

Video games are one of the most popular media forms out there. When it comes to adding younger fans to the fanbase, video games are a great way to do that.

NASCAR 25 release date will add to anticipation

We have seen images of drivers playing the NASCAR 25 game. This project is almost complete. From everything that has been put out in the public, the gameplay is great, and the game is getting high marks overall.

Of course, with a ton of anticipation comes the possibility of a letdown. There could be a letdown, but it feels like iRacing and those involved have this under control. I wouldn’t doubt the folks who have done so much great work in the past on this one.

As for the actual NASCAR Cup Series season in real life, not on a game console, the season continues. There are only a few races left before the postseason. That playoff bubble shrinks every day and every week. A lot of exciting things going on in the sport right now.

Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson belts a home run in MLB: The Show 25. The game has also smashed a homer at retail.

MLB: The Show 25 was the seventh best-selling game of June in the U.S., but that doesn’t tell the full story of Sony’s baseball sim success.

Per Circana Executive Director/Video Games Mat Piscatella, MLB: The Show 25 had its biggest first half of the year for full game dollar sales in the franchise’s history (it debuted in 2006). The previous best was 2021, helped by the pandemic and people staying at home. Sales are also up more than 20% year to date (MLB: The Show debuted March 18).

The bigger game industry story for the month was Nintendo’s launch of the Switch 2 console on June 2. It was the fastest-selling console in U.S. history, leading the overall industry spend on devices, games and accessories to hit $5.7 billion in June, up 22% year over year.

But how was Switch 2’s launch for sports games?

“Overall spending on sports games on Nintendo platforms was basically flat compared to June 2024,” Piscatella said. “The top three best-sellers for June on Nintendo platforms were MLB: The Show 25, EA Sports FC 25 and Nintendo Switch Sports.”

It’ll be interesting to see how well sports games perform, considering that the Switch 2 doesn’t have a lot of native software for it yet (sports or otherwise). One that did debut this week was WWE 2K25, which hit Wednesday.

Speaking of WWE 2K25, it clocked in at No. 20 on the best-selling chart after debuting at No. 18 in May. Interestingly, it also debuted at No. 18 in 2024.

As for other sports and racing games for June:

The wait is over — NASCAR 25 has a release date. But instead of celebrating, some fans are frustrated. The game launches October 14 for consoles only, with the PC release delayed to an unspecified date. No gameplay footage has been revealed, and the silence around key features is starting to worry longtime players. Still, the devs say updates are coming fast — including roster news, feature deep dives, and, yes, a cover reveal.

PC players will have to wait — the Steam release is delayed with no date confirmed

Full Cup Series field expected, but what about part-timers like Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr.?

No official word on Xfinity or Truck modes — and silence on career mode improvements

First gameplay trailer, dev diary, and cover athlete reveal are coming next week.

After years of disappointment from NASCAR Heat and Ignition, iRacing’s first full-scale console game has fans hopeful — but anxious. The release date is real, but the clock’s ticking. With no gameplay and no clear info on features, they’ll need to deliver fast to avoid losing trust before launch day.

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