NASCAR Rant Report - Thursday, January 23rd

NASCAR 25 Video Game Announcements, Option Tire for Phoenix, Driver Announcements, and more!

Author

Rant Report AI
January 23, 2025

Major headlines out of the weekend:

NASCAR 25 Video Game Announcements
Option Tire for Phoenix
Driver Announcements

Plus, miscellaneous topics from the weekend.

NASCAR 25 Video Game Announcements:

The upcoming NASCAR 25 video game has generated significant excitement with several key announcements. For the first time, players will start their careers in the ARCA Menards Series, beginning in a backyard garage and working their way up through the ranks to the NASCAR Cup Series. This career mode includes signing contracts, earning money, hiring staff, and expanding facilities, providing a comprehensive and immersive experience. The game will all four national series: the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series.

In addition to the career mode, NASCAR 25 will offer quick races, seasons, and online multiplayer modes, ensuring a variety of gameplay options. Developed by iRacing, known for its realistic simulation platform, the game is set to be released in the fall of 2025. The development team aims to improve upon past NASCAR games, incorporating feedback from NASCAR drivers and insiders, like Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has worked together with iRacing on other projects in the past.

Fans have expressed excitement and high expectations, hoping NASCAR 25 will surpass previous titles in quality and gameplay experience. Overall, NASCAR 25 promises a comprehensive and engaging racing experience, reflecting the career progression of top drivers and featuring extensive gameplay options.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Option Tire for Phoenix:

NASCAR has announced the introduction of an option tire for the upcoming race at Phoenix Raceway on March 9, 2025. This softer tire compound, which provides more grip but wears out faster than the primary tire, aims to enhance the racing experience by adding strategic elements to the race. Each team will receive six sets of primary tires and two sets of option tires for the race, with an additional set of each for practice. Teams must qualify on the primary tires, and all four tires on the car must match at all times.

The option tire was first introduced at the North Wilkesboro Speedway All-Star Race and later used at Richmond Raceway. Its performance at these events has led NASCAR to consider using it more broadly, including potentially as the primary tire for the championship race at Phoenix in November. The goal is to create a speed disparity, with the option tire offering more speed but less durability, thus influencing pit strategies and potentially making races more exciting for fans.

The introduction of the option tire is part of NASCAR's ongoing efforts to improve competition at short tracks, following various aerodynamic changes to the NextGen car. If successful, the option tire could become a staple in future races, adding a new layer of strategy and excitement to the sport.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Driver Announcements:

Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 with Garage 66, replacing Mike Wallace, who was ruled ineligible. Smith, with a strong background in the Xfinity and Truck Series, will drive the No. 66 QuickTie Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

Ryan Roulette will drive the No. 67 truck in three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races for Freedom Racing Enterprises, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Roulette is a B-52 pilot with experience in the ARCA Menards Series.

Baltazar Leguizamon will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Joey Gase Motorsports at COTA, driving the No. 35 car. He will be the first Argentinian to compete in the series.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Miscellaneous:

King's Hawaiian will sponsor Denny Hamlin in four NASCAR Cup Series races this season, starting with Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 28. This multi-year agreement marks a new partnership for Joe Gibbs Racing, following the end of FedEx's sponsorship

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will perform their signature flyover at the Daytona 500 for the 15th consecutive year. This tradition adds to the excitement of the event, which kicks off the NASCAR season.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on these topics.

This newsletter is constructed by AI and reviewed by our editorial team.

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