NASCAR fans have been waiting a long time for a console game that feels like racing in a real stock car.
It’s been years since a console NASCAR title has generated this level of excitement, and the latest reaction from one of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s brightest young talents on the NASCAR 25 game has only added more to it.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Star Sammy Smith’s Take on NASCAR 25
Earnhardt’s star junior driver, Sammy Smith, is quickly making a name for himself in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The 21-year-old Iowa native races with the JR Motorsports team in NASCAR’s feeder series. At such a young age, he’s already won a race this year and has three top-five finishes under his belt.
He recently got the chance to test an early version of the game and provide feedback on it. His review was short, and in just three words, he summed it up by saying that the game is “worth the wait.”
Caught me turning the controller like it’s a wheel lol. Can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this in a couple of months. It’s worth the wait. https://t.co/nHTPCvryUt
— Sammy Smith (@sammysmithSS) August 7, 2025
Smith even joked about how focused he was while trying out the game, which led to him treating the controller like an actual steering wheel. He added, “Caught me turning the controller like it’s a wheel, lol. I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this in a couple of months.”
Smith’s reaction speaks volumes about the game and is only increasing the excitement for fans eagerly waiting to get their hands on it.
Why Does NASCAR 25 Have Everyone Talking?
NASCAR 25 is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious racing games in years. Developed in partnership between iRacing and Monster Games, it aims to bring a level of authenticity fans haven’t seen in the world of NASCAR gaming.
The game is set to release on October 14 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, PC, and will also have a version for Nintendo Switch later on. The development team has promised a complete overhaul of the career mode, which makes players start from the ARCA Menards Series at Rockingham and makes them climb their way up to the Cup Series.
Along the way, players will have to manage contracts, budgets, and even staff while handling their on-track performance. The early gameplay footage released during iRacing’s latest Dev Diary has already provided some promising details. An improved AI package helped replicate real-world racing strategies and provide more realistic conditions like tire grip and drafting.
Drivers like William Byron, Christopher Bell, and a few others have also tested the game alongside Smith, and their feedback has been extremely positive.