Insider Not Sold on NASCAR 25 Hype as They Highlight Glaring Fan Disconnect

NASCAR fans are buzzing with excitement and debate following two very different storylines making waves in the community. On one hand, the upcoming NASCAR 25 game has generated hype with its league poster and promises of an immersive racing experience, though not without controversy after Christopher Bell’s hidden face design sparked backlash online. Then, on the other hand, we have the lawsuit developments. Despite that, the community is overjoyed to see what NASCAR 25 has in store for them; however, a few NASCAR insiders have certain modifications that they would like to see.

iRacing is bringing its simulation pedigree to consoles with NASCAR 25, which is set to launch on October 14 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC release via Steam. Developed using the Unreal Engine 5, fans can expect laser-scanned tracks, advanced physics systems, and a polished visual experience. The game promises deep features, including all four top NASCAR series, a career mode where players work their way up from the ARCA to Cup series, plus online multiplayer, season mode, and quick race options. But not everyone was happy with the cover page of the game. From fans criticizing the entities on the cover to insiders giving their feedback, NASCAR 25 was entirely dissected.

However, certain NASCAR insiders had a completely different take on this. Speaking on the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast, Spider was quick to make certain observations about the cover. He said, “I think they did a good job. Typically, I like seeing one athlete on the cover, but I do think this is good because it highlights one of the top drivers from each manufacturer. All these guys are kind of in their prime, right in the heyday of their careers. William Byron and Christopher Bell are guys I expect in the championship for the last couple of years and into the future in the next couple. Then Blaney, a guy who’s won the championship and, in my opinion, is the best Ford driver. I think they did a good job of highlighting all three. Not getting it right would have been like two Hendrick drivers and then Ty Gibbs or someone like that. This pairing feels natural, I guess, is my argument.” 

However, Spider had a different view of the cover when Large asked if he could “add a fourth without any kind of rules.” He said, “If I were to add a fourth, it would not be the personality angle—it would be the veteran angle. I’m looking at Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr., something like that I think would be cool. I say get (Christopher) Bell off of there. I think Denny should be in the middle over the shoulder. Denny (Hamlin) should be on there. Even Bell with the DeWalt helmet—you can tell it’s him, but I don’t think he brings much to it. That’s not a dig on Bell at all, but there are other people I’d be more pumped to see.”

“Denny, Chase, and Blaney, I feel like, would have been good if you’re looking for the biggest stars from each manufacturer. But in terms of championship threat, I think this is as good as they could have got. Maybe Larson in place of Byron, but for the next five years, I think I’d rather have Byron than Larson. But I mean, for the next five years, I think I’d rather have Byron than Larson. That might be a hot take.”

The reveal of the cover art at Daytona spotted stars like William Byron front and center, flanked by Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney, each representing a distinct manufacturer  — Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford, respectively. Despite the excitement, not everything clicked. Fans quickly voiced their frustration with Christopher Bell’s partial obscurity on the cover. Social media lit up about how the design looked disjointed, like three separate pieces grafted together, and Christopher Bell’s face being hidden by his helmet.

Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell are both prominent NASCAR Cup Series drivers for Joe Gibbs Racing, having contrasting career trajectories despite sharing a team. Hamlin is a seasoned veteran with 58 career wins and consistent playoff appearances, and is also known for his outspoken personality and calculated racing style. Bell, on the other hand, represents a newer generation, having secured multiple wins since the 2020 rookie season, including our reputation for clutch performances in high-pressure playoff races.

Hamlin thrives on experience and strategy, relying on adaptability and precision, making their dynamic and intriguing mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent within the same garage. Amid fans hating on the design, William Byron has a completely different outlook on it all.

William Byron sounds off on his full-circle moment with the upcoming video game

At Daytona International Speedway, William Byron wasn’t just talking about landing on the cover of NASCAR 25; he was talking about a full-circle moment in his life. For him, it wasn’t simply a photo op or a career milestone; it was a nod to the very spark that set his competitive fire ablaze. Byron’s journey didn’t start in a go-kart or on a dirt track; it started in front of a screen, controller in hand, chasing checkered flags in virtual races. When Byron joined Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, the conversation turned nostalgic. Byron laughed as he told Harvick, “You were the first game I played, like ’05 or something.”

It was in those pixelated laughs that Byron’s passion for racing was born, and now, here he was, headlining the game that once fueled his dreams. Messages from high school friends reminding him of those early gaming sessions, a teenage Byron racing into the night, unknowingly training for a real-world career at 200 mph. He admitted, “It’s really cool and that’s a full circle moment, that’s a pretty neat experience, and yeah, kind of gave me a little bit of chills.”

As for shaping the game itself? Byron kept it humble. He wasn’t steering the development team, but he did get to put the game through its paces and share feedback like any true gamer would. He said, “I didn’t have a ton of involvement with it, but I did play it along the way and kind of gave my feedback based on that.” From racing Harvick’s digital car on an old console to sharing the real stage with him as NASCAR’s new cover star, Byron’s story proves that sometimes those childhood moments can turn into the real deal.