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NASCAR 08
NASCAR 08
NASCAR 08
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NASCAR 08
North American PS2 cover art featuring Tony Stewart
DevelopersEA Tiburon
Exient Entertainment (PS2)[7]
PublisherEA Sports
SeriesEA Sports NASCAR
EngineEAGL 4
PlatformsPlayStation 2
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Release
July 23, 2007
  • PlayStation 2
  • PlayStation 3
  • Xbox 360
GenreRacing
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

NASCAR 08 is the eleventh installment of the EA Sports NASCAR series. It was developed by EA Tiburon for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and by Exient Entertainment for PlayStation 2. This was the earliest that EA has released a NASCAR game at the time, until NASCAR 09, which featured a June release. It also marks the first time the original Xbox has been excluded from the NASCAR lineup since NASCAR 2001.

Tony Stewart is on the cover marking his third appearance on the cover of an EA Sports NASCAR game since NASCAR Thunder 2004. The cover in the PAL region features Juan Pablo Montoya (as Montoya returns to EA Sports cover athlete since F1 Career Challenge). NASCAR's new Car of Tomorrow as well as the current car are present in the game, although the Car of Tomorrow is generic (no separate manufacturers). ESPN's NASCAR coverage is also integrated into the game.

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 version of the game has been mixed. Play Magazine gave the game 38%.[19] GameSpot gave the Xbox 360 version a 6.0 rating[20] and a 6.0 for the PlayStation 3 version.[21] IGN called NASCAR 08 "bare-bones, unpolished and uninspired", saying that the package felt insubstantial with the lack of basic inclusions such as ending wrap-up screens for the Season mode.[22]

Critical reception of the PlayStation 2 version was better when compared to the previous year's NASCAR 07, but was still mixed. Strategy Informer reviewed the title, stating that the game improved in insubstantial ways over the previous entry through appealing to a broader audience in favor of the core fans invested in its mechanics.[23]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

NASCAR 08

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
NASCAR 08 is a racing simulation video game developed and published by Electronic Arts (EA) under its EA Sports brand, serving as the eleventh entry in the long-running EA Sports NASCAR series. Released on July 23, 2007, for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in North America, the game introduces players to authentic NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series racing, including the debut of the Car of Tomorrow vehicle design mandated by NASCAR for enhanced safety and competition. Featuring Tony Stewart as the cover athlete, it earned an ESRB rating of E for Everyone and emphasizes realistic gameplay mechanics such as advanced car tuning with over 40 options, real-time vehicle telemetry, and support for up to 12 players in online multiplayer modes. The game's career mode places players as a driver, tasking them with honing skills to obtain racing licenses, secure contracts from team owners, and unlock high-performance cars associated with NASCAR legends, all while competing on all 22 official -sanctioned tracks. Next-generation enhancements for PS3 and include improved visuals and precise controls, such as motion steering on for navigating tight, three-wide racing scenarios. Complementing the on-track action, NASCAR 08 features a blending country and rock genres to capture the spirit of NASCAR culture, with tracks available for purchase through EA's platform. As one of EA's final major NASCAR titles before the series shifted focus, it marked an early summer release strategy for the franchise and received attention for its depth, though it faced criticism for control schemes favoring peripherals over standard controllers.

Development

Background

NASCAR 08 was developed by EA Tiburon, ' dedicated sports simulation studio based in , which had assumed primary responsibility for the franchise following challenges with earlier iterations like NASCAR 2001. This shift to Tiburon in 2002 marked the beginning of the NASCAR Thunder sub-series, emphasizing more accessible arcade-style racing elements alongside simulation features, and the studio continued leading annual releases through the mid-2000s. The development of NASCAR 08 specifically focused on transitioning the series to next-generation consoles, making it the first entry available on and , while also supporting via porting by Exient Entertainment. Released in July 2007—earlier than the typical September timeframe for prior titles—the game was timed to incorporate NASCAR's (COT), a redesigned vehicle template with enhanced safety features and standardized aerodynamics that debuted in real-world racing at the 2007 at on March 25, 2007. This integration allowed players to race the COT across all 22 official NASCAR tracks, reflecting the sport's ongoing evolution toward safer, more uniform competition cars.

Production

NASCAR 08 was primarily developed by EA Tiburon, ' studio in , for the and versions, marking the series' debut on next-generation consoles. The port was handled by Exient Entertainment, ensuring compatibility with the previous-generation hardware. As part of ' exclusive license secured in 2003, the production built on the studio's prior experience with titles like , focusing on realistic simulation elements tailored to the sport's 2007 season. A central element of the production involved implementing NASCAR's "" (COT), the league's redesigned vehicle introduced that year, alongside the outgoing Generation-4 cars. EA Tiburon's team modeled the COT's distinct physics, including enhanced aerodynamics from its rear wing and wider stance, to differentiate its handling from traditional stock cars and enable new racing strategies like improved drafting. This required extensive tuning to capture the car's real-world behavior, with over 40 customization options for players to adjust suspension, aerodynamics, and other parameters. The development prioritized a revamped career mode, where players begin as unproven rookies, progressing through skill-building challenges to secure team contracts and unlock high-performance vehicles. Multiplayer features were expanded for online races supporting up to 16 players, leveraging the consoles' networking capabilities for shared setups and competitive events. The game received an "E" rating from the ESRB, reflecting its broad accessibility, and was completed for a release.

Gameplay

Single-player modes

NASCAR 08 offers several single-player modes that emphasize progression, simulation, and customization within the NASCAR racing framework. The primary modes include Quick Race for immediate action, Season Mode for structured competition, and the career-oriented Earn Your Stripes, which incorporates challenges and team management elements. These modes leverage the game's improved physics and dynamic lighting to simulate authentic racing experiences, allowing players to compete across the , Busch, and series on real and fictional tracks. Quick Race provides a straightforward entry point for single-player sessions, enabling players to select any track from the game's roster—such as or the fictional Boulder Raceway Park—and customize race length, difficulty, and vehicle types like the or Gen 4 cars. This mode supports solo practice or full events without long-term commitments, focusing on honing driving skills amid features like variable lighting that affects visibility during day-to-night transitions. It serves as an ideal testing ground for the game's handling mechanics, including bump drafting and tire wear simulation. Season Mode immerses players in a complete NASCAR calendar, where they select a real driver like Tony Stewart or Dale Earnhardt Jr. to compete in up to 36 races across multiple series. The mode follows the 2007 schedule, incorporating events like the Daytona 500 and integrating ESPN-style commentary for realism. Players manage points accumulation to vie for the championship, with options to adjust settings such as race length and AI difficulty, though it lacks deep off-track management compared to prior entries. This structure emphasizes endurance and strategic pitting over a full season arc. The standout single-player experience is Earn Your Stripes, the game's revamped career mode, where players begin as a rookie driver in a generic team and progress through tiers from modified tours to the Nextel Cup Series. To advance, participants complete Toyota Challenges—mini-games focused on skills like drafting, spin recovery, and fuel management—earning gold medals that upgrade car performance attributes such as handling and speed. Licensing tests and contract negotiations with team owners add progression layers, unlocking iconic vehicles and drivers upon milestones. The mode culminates in Chase for the Cup events, a playoff-style format requiring top-10 regular-season finishes to qualify for bonus-point races, blending simulation with achievement-based growth. Dynamic elements like the Team Communicator, voiced by crew chief Chad Knaus on next-gen consoles, provide real-time strategy advice during races.

Multiplayer modes

NASCAR 08 offered multiplayer functionality that varied by platform, with the version supporting limited local and online play, while the and editions focused exclusively on online racing without local split-screen options. On the PS2, players could engage in split-screen multiplayer for up to two participants in offline races, allowing head-to-head competition on various tracks and series without an connection. Online multiplayer was also available but capped at four players, enabling basic racing sessions across the game's Craftsman , Busch, and series. For the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, multiplayer was online-only, supporting up to 12 racers in a single session to simulate full NASCAR fields. Players could select from 22 tracks, customize car setups, and share those setups with the community via the game's online features, fostering competitive races that emphasized drafting, passing, and strategic pit stops. The mode's options were straightforward, primarily consisting of quick races without extensive or ranked systems, though voice chat via headsets enhanced social interaction during sessions.

Core features

NASCAR 08 introduces the (COT) chassis for the Series, marking the first time players can drive this new vehicle design in the franchise. The game includes all three major series: the , Busch (now Nationwide) Series, and Craftsman Truck Series, with a dedicated one-off season mode for the COT cars. Players race on 22 official NASCAR-sanctioned tracks, encompassing ovals, road courses, and superspeedways, though notable omissions include international venues like and . The core emphasizes realistic handling and precision, where small errors in throttle control or line choice can lead to significant position losses or spins, simulating the unforgiving nature of . Car handling is customizable through over 40 tuning options, allowing adjustments to , suspension, tire pressure, and gear ratios to optimize for specific tracks. These setups can be shared online with the community, fostering competitive experimentation. On the , the game supports motion controls for steering, enabling nuanced input during close-quarters three-wide racing. Visuals leverage next-generation capabilities on and , delivering smooth frame rates and dynamic day-to-night transitions that enhance immersion during longer races. Vehicle damage is realistically modeled, with visible deformations from collisions accumulating over a race and prominently featured in replays. Tracks render with detailed layouts, though some and bland textures persist. Audio design captures authentic engine roars across series vehicles, complemented by crew chief radio chatter that provides advice, albeit with occasional delays. A unique vehicle visor overlays real-time data on the HUD, displaying metrics like speed, RPM, track position, and drafting efficiency to aid strategic decision-making. Visual aids, such as lines and drafting indicators, assist novice players in mastering pack dynamics. Post-race celebrations include authentic elements like infield burnouts and victory laps, adding to the series' focus on tradition. Limited visual customization allows selection of paint schemes and colors, but restricts custom numbers below 100 and full design tools.

Release

Platforms and dates

NASCAR 08 was released for three platforms: the , , and Xbox 360. Developed by EA Tiburon and published by , the game launched simultaneously in across all three systems. The North American release occurred on July 23, 2007, marking an early summer debut for the series that year. International releases followed later in select regions, with the version reaching on August 23, 2007, and on August 24, 2007. The version launched in in September 2007, while the version launched in November 2007, though specific dates varied slightly by territory. No PC version was produced.
PlatformNorth AmericaAustraliaEurope
July 23, 2007August 23, 2007August 24, 2007
July 23, 2007September 20, 2007September 21, 2007
July 23, 2007November 15, 2007November 9, 2007

Marketing and cover art

The marketing campaign for NASCAR 08 emphasized the game's authentic simulation of , particularly highlighting the introduction of the (COT) vehicle design, which was debuting in the real 2007 Sprint Series season. (EA) promoted the title through press releases and feature spotlights, underscoring next-generation graphics, advanced car tuning with over 40 options, and multiplayer support for up to 16 players online, positioning it as the most realistic gaming experience to date. The campaign targeted both dedicated fans and broader gaming audiences by tying virtual to real-world events, with an ESRB "E" rating to appeal to families. A key promotional element was the announcement of , the two-time NEXTEL Cup Series champion and driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet for , as the cover athlete for the North American release on March 22, 2007. This marked a high-profile endorsement, with Stewart praising the game's realism in official statements: "Being on the cover of NASCAR 08 is an honor for me and my team... the realism and authenticity are amazing." The cover artwork featured Stewart prominently alongside a dynamic depiction of a vehicle in motion, aligning with EA's strategy to leverage star drivers for brand visibility across its supported platforms of , , and Xbox 360. To drive pre-release engagement, EA partnered with Sears Craftsman—the title sponsor of NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series—for the 2007 EA SPORTS Craftsman NASCAR Challenge, a nationwide tournament series launched in June 2007. The event included qualifying rounds at Sears and Kmart stores in 11 U.S. markets starting July 27, with celebrity appearances and autograph sessions to generate in-store buzz and attract younger demographics to the retailers. The competition culminated in a championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18, 2007, where 16 finalists vied for a $10,000 grand prize, ultimately won by 21-year-old gamer Brandon Coppinger; the initiative aimed to mirror the intensity of professional NASCAR racing while promoting NASCAR 08 as a skill-based esports entry point.

Reception

Critical reviews

NASCAR 08 received mixed reviews from critics, with aggregate scores reflecting general mediocrity across platforms. On , the version earned a score of 59 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, categorized as mixed or average, while the version scored 57 out of 100 and the version 56 out of 100. These scores indicate that while the game appealed to dedicated enthusiasts, it failed to impress broader audiences or significantly advance the series. Critics frequently praised the game's handling and physics model, noting its authentic simulation of stock car racing, particularly with the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow vehicle. For instance, GameSpot highlighted the improved driving feel and the satisfaction of mastering the challenging controls, describing it as "fun once you get the hang of it." Similarly, IGN commended the telemetry features and the realistic demands of the driving model, which rewarded precise inputs and strategic racing lines. However, these positives were often tempered by complaints about a steep learning curve that alienated casual players, with some reviews suggesting it was best suited for hardcore fans willing to invest time in training modes. A common criticism centered on the lack of meaningful innovation over its predecessor, , with many outlets pointing to recycled assets and minimal upgrades in core mechanics. described the engine as "not terribly far removed from last year's game," criticizing the underwhelming damage model and absence of compelling new content. echoed this sentiment, stating that the title was "not noticeably better than last year's game," despite additions like enhanced car setup options. Artificial intelligence and pit stop mechanics also drew ire; noted erratic AI behavior and unreliable pit strategies that disrupted race flow. Graphics and presentation received lukewarm responses, often labeled as generic or outdated even for 2007 standards. Reviewers like those at PlanetXbox360 faulted the visuals for lacking detail in environments and car models, contributing to a sense of repetition during long races. Multiplayer and mode variety were additional weak points, with online play described as "barely playable" and subpar by outlets such as Game-Over, while single-player career modes lacked narrative depth or rewarding progression. Overall, while NASCAR 08 was seen as a competent entry for series loyalists—scoring around 6/10 from and 5.5/10 from —it struggled to justify its full price due to unpolished elements and limited appeal beyond niche audiences.

Commercial performance

NASCAR 08 achieved moderate commercial success, driven largely by sales in following its release in 2007. According to NPD Group data, the game sold a total of 677,596 units across all platforms in the United States. The versions for and , launched on July 24, 2007, along with the version released on July 23, 2007, contributed significantly to initial performance. The edition ranked 14th on the NPD sales chart for July 2007. Sales tapered off quickly, with the game absent from the top 20 in August and September. Overall, the title's U.S. performance reflected a downward trend for the series, falling short of the 892,723 units sold by NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup while surpassing the 443,116 units of its successor, NASCAR 09.

References

  1. https://ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2007/EA-SPORTS-Announces-Tony-Stewart-as-Cover-Athlete-for-NASCAR-08/default.aspx
  2. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/939028-nascar-08/data
  3. https://ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2007/Get-Behind-the-Wheel-of-the-Car-of-Tomorrow-in-EA-SPORTS-NASCAR-08/default.aspx
  4. https://ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2007/EA-Sports-Delivers-Country-and-Rock-to-NASCAR-08-Soundtrack/default.aspx
  5. https://www.ign.com/games/nascar-08
  6. http://www.espn.com/espn/thelife/videogames/blog/_/name/thegamer/id/5630221
  7. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nascar-stops-flirting-now-exclusive-to-ea/1100-6075962/
  8. https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-racing/nascar/nascar-basics/nascar-car-of-tomorrow.htm
  9. https://www.mobygames.com/game/31443/nascar-08/
  10. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/26/ea-and-nascar-sign-exclusive-deal
  11. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/13/nascar-08-hands-on
  12. https://auto-racing-video-games.fandom.com/wiki/NASCAR_08
  13. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nascar-08-updated-hands-on/1100-6172693/
  14. https://mail.gamevortex.com/gamevortex/soft_rev.php/3673
  15. https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-08/
  16. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/939028-nascar-08/41891537
  17. https://www.gamesradar.com/nascar-08-10/
  18. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nascar-08-multiplayer-hands-on/1100-6172862/
  19. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/22/nascar-08-multiplayer-preview
  20. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-08-review/1900-6176000/
  21. https://www.mobygames.com/game/31443/nascar-08/releases/
  22. https://www.gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/939028-nascar-08/data
  23. https://www.gamefaqs.gamespot.com/xbox360/938743-nascar-08/data
  24. https://www.gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps3/938742-nascar-08/data
  25. http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/nascar-08/
  26. https://www.trueachievements.com/game/NASCAR-08-European/achievements
  27. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2007/06/05/Sponsorships-Advertising-Marketing/Sears-Craftsman-EA-Sports-Team-For-NASCAR-Videogame-Tourney/
  28. https://ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2007/EA-Announces-the-Winner-of-the-2007-EA-SPORTS-Craftsman-NASCAR-Challenge/default.aspx
  29. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-08-review/1900-6176089/
  30. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/06/nascar-08-review
  31. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/27/nascar-08-review-2
  32. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nascar-and-ea-sports-part-ways/1100-6233653/
  33. https://vgsales.fandom.com/wiki/NPD_July_2007
  34. https://vgsales.fandom.com/wiki/NPD_August_2007
  35. https://vgsales.fandom.com/wiki/NPD_September_2007
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