NASCAR Rivals

NASCAR Rivals is a racing video game developed and published by Motorsport Games that simulates the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, featuring official teams, drivers, cars, and the complete regular season and playoff schedule.^[1][2] Released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on October 14, 2022, the game emphasizes the intensity and strategy of stock car racing in a portable format.^[1][3] The title offers multiple gameplay modes, including a career mode where players can create and manage their own team, challenge events based on real 2022 races, and exhibition races for quick play.^[4] It includes authentic content such as the 36-race schedule across 21 tracks, and customizable car setups to replicate professional NASCAR strategies like drafting and pit stops.^[5][6] Players can select from the official teams and over 40 drivers from the 2022 season, including champions like Joey Logano and Kyle Busch, enhancing immersion for fans.^[7] Developed using the NASCAR Heat engine with updates as the official licensed product for the 2022 NASCAR season, NASCAR Rivals was announced in August 2022 with pre-orders starting on August 24, aiming to bring high-fidelity racing to handheld gaming.^[1] The game received generally favorable user reviews, praised for its authentic content and accessibility on Switch but criticized for graphical limitations and occasional AI inconsistencies.^[2] User reviews on Metacritic give it a score of 7.6/10 based on 8 ratings, appealing primarily to dedicated NASCAR enthusiasts seeking a mobile simulation experience.^[2] Notably, as of December 31, 2024, the game and its DLC were delisted from digital storefronts, though existing owners retain access.^[8]

Gameplay

Game modes

NASCAR Rivals offers a variety of game modes that cater to different player preferences, from structured season-long campaigns to quick competitive sessions and social multiplayer experiences, all built around authentic NASCAR racing simulation. These modes emphasize strategic driving, team oversight, and rivalry dynamics, allowing players to engage with the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series roster of official teams and drivers in diverse ways.^[9][10] Career Mode serves as the core single-player experience, where players can either join an existing NASCAR Cup Series team or create their own custom team to progress through the full 2022 season schedule. This mode involves comprehensive team management, including hiring and upgrading crew members, optimizing car setups for performance, and making in-race decisions to accumulate points toward the championship. Driver progression is a key element, as players level up their selected driver through successful races, unlocking new abilities, sponsorships, and vehicle enhancements that reflect real NASCAR career advancement. The mode culminates in a playoff-style chase for the title, rewarding consistent performance and strategic choices.^[9][1][11] For players seeking immediate action without long-term commitments, Race Now mode provides quick single-race options at any available track, allowing selection of favorite drivers from the 2022 roster and customization of race parameters such as weather conditions, opponent difficulty, and lap counts. This mode focuses on honing individual racing skills in isolation, offering a low-stakes entry point to practice overtaking maneuvers, pit strategy, and drafting techniques central to NASCAR gameplay.^[12][10][5] Challenge Mode introduces targeted skill-based scenarios designed to test specific aspects of NASCAR racing expertise, including time trials for achieving the fastest lap times under pressure and scenario-based races that recreate high-stakes real-world events like late-race restarts or fuel mileage dilemmas. These challenges encourage mastery of advanced techniques, such as tire management and aggressive passing, with progressive difficulty levels that unlock rewards like in-game currency for further customization.^[10][13] Multiplayer options expand the competitive scope, supporting split-screen play for up to two players in head-to-head races on the same console, ideal for local duels emphasizing direct rivalry. Local wireless connectivity enables up to eight players to join via nearby Nintendo Switch systems for larger group races, fostering casual multiplayer sessions without internet access. Online multiplayer accommodates up to 16 players in lobbies, where participants can race against a mix of human opponents and AI, with ranked matchmaking to match skill levels and promote ongoing rivalries across global servers.^{[12][14][5][15]} Across all modes, players can customize their experience by selecting from official 2022 drivers and teams, adjusting race settings like AI aggression and damage models, and fine-tuning vehicle loadouts to suit playstyles, ensuring replayability and personalization within the NASCAR framework.^[9][11]

Tracks and vehicles

NASCAR Rivals recreates the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series through its core content of tracks and vehicles, featuring all 36 points-paying race venues and the official teams, drivers, and Next Gen car models from that season. This setup allows players to experience authentic racing environments and machinery, with options for customization that draw from real-world 2022 elements.^[12]

Tracks

The game includes every track from the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, comprising a diverse mix of oval speedways (including short tracks, intermediate ovals, and superspeedways), road courses, and one dirt-converted oval. These 36 venues span the United States, with configurations ranging from high-banked superspeedways favoring pack racing to technical road courses requiring precise handling. The full schedule is recreatable in-game, enabling players to follow the real-season progression from the Daytona 500 opener to the championship finale at Phoenix Raceway.^[16][17] The tracks are as follows, categorized by primary type: Superspeedways and Intermediate Ovals:

• Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile superspeedway; hosts Daytona 500 and Coke Zero Sugar 400)^[17]
• Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-mile superspeedway; hosts GEICO 500 and YellaWood 500)^[17]
• Atlanta Motor Speedway (1.54-mile superspeedway in 2022 reconfiguration; hosts Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 and Quaker State 400)^[17]
• Auto Club Speedway (2-mile oval; hosts WISE Power 400)^[17]
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile intermediate; hosts Pennzoil 400 and South Point 400)^[17]
• Phoenix Raceway (1-mile oval; hosts Ruoff Mortgage 500k and Season Finale 500)^[17]
• Kansas Speedway (1.5-mile intermediate; hosts AdventHealth 400 and Hollywood Casino 400)^[17]
• Charlotte Motor Speedway (1.5-mile intermediate; hosts Coca-Cola 600)^[17]
• Michigan International Speedway (2-mile oval; hosts FireKeepers Casino 400)^[17]
• Texas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile intermediate; hosts Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500)^[17]
• Nashville Superspeedway (1.33-mile intermediate; hosts Ally 400)^[17]
• Pocono Raceway (2.5-mile tri-oval; hosts M&Ms Fan Appreciation 400)^[17]
• Homestead-Miami Speedway (1.5-mile oval; hosts Dixie Vodka 400)^[17]
• World Wide Technology Raceway (1.25-mile intermediate oval; hosts EnjoyIllinois 300)^[17]

Short Tracks and Other Ovals:

• Richmond Raceway (0.75-mile short oval; hosts Toyota Owners 400 and Federated Auto Parts 400)^[17]
• Martinsville Speedway (0.526-mile short oval; hosts Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 and Xfinity 500)^[17]
• Bristol Motor Speedway (0.533-mile short oval; hosts Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race; dirt variant for Food City Dirt Race)^[17]
• Darlington Raceway (1.366-mile egg-shaped oval; hosts Goodyear 400 and Cook Out Southern 500)^[17]
• Dover Motor Speedway (1-mile concrete oval; hosts DuraMAX Drydene 400)^[17]
• New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.058-mile flat oval; hosts Ambetter 301)^[17]

Road Courses:

• Circuit of the Americas (3.41-mile road course; hosts Echopark Texas Grand Prix)^[17]
• Sonoma Raceway (2.52-mile road course; hosts Toyota/Save Mart 350)^[17]
• Road America (4.048-mile road course; hosts Kwik Trip 250)^[17]
• Watkins Glen International (2.45-mile road course; hosts Go Bowling at the Glen)^[17]
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (2.439-mile road course; hosts Verizon 200)^[17]
• Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (2.32-mile road course; hosts Bank of America ROVAL 400)^[17]

Vehicles and Teams

All vehicles in NASCAR Rivals are based on the Next Gen car, introduced for the 2022 season as a standardized platform with a common chassis, independent rear suspension, larger wheels and tires, and manufacturer-specific bodies for Chevrolet (Camaro), Ford (Mustang), and Toyota (Camry). This design aimed to enhance safety, competition, and cost efficiency while maintaining brand identity.^[18][19] The game licenses the 16 charter teams from the 2022 season, each fielding multiple cars with authentic drivers and liveries. Representative teams include Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet; drivers such as Kyle Larson in the #5 and William Byron in the #24), Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota; drivers including Kyle Busch in the #18 and Denny Hamlin in the #11), Team Penske (Ford; drivers like Joey Logano in the #22 and Ryan Blaney in the #12), Stewart-Haas Racing (Ford; drivers such as Kevin Harvick in the #4 and Aric Almirola in the #10), and Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet; drivers like Austin Dillon in the #3 and Tyler Reddick in the #8). Other teams encompass RFK Racing, Trackhouse Racing Team, 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing, Kaulig Racing, Spire Motorsports, and Petty GMS Motorsports, totaling 36 chartered entries across the field.^[20][21] Players can customize vehicles in the in-game paint booth, applying official 2022 paint schemes, decals, numbers, and sponsor logos to replicate real liveries or create custom designs while adhering to NASCAR guidelines. This feature supports personalization in various modes, enhancing replayability with authentic visual elements from the season.^[12] The full 2022 schedule structure is integrated, with the 26-race regular season leading into the 10-race playoffs (including the Round of 16, 12, 8, and Championship 4), allowing players to simulate the entire championship chase using the licensed tracks, teams, and vehicles.^[16]

Development

Announcement and concept

NASCAR Rivals was first revealed on July 23, 2022, through an article on Traxion.gg, a site owned by Motorsport Games, which reported on an early Amazon listing for the game.^[22] The listing disclosed the title, Nintendo Switch exclusivity, a $49.99 price point, and an October 14, 2022, release date, marking the initial public indication of the project.^[22] This reveal generated early buzz among NASCAR fans, highlighting the game's focus on delivering official 2022 season content to a portable platform.^[23] The concept of NASCAR Rivals centered on serving as the official video game of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series, emphasizing authentic stock car racing adapted for handheld play on the Nintendo Switch. Motorsport Games aimed to capture the intensity and rivalries of Cup Series events by incorporating the newly introduced Next Gen cars, allowing players to experience their handling and customization in various modes.^[12] Initial goals included enhancing accessibility for fans by combining simulation elements with portable convenience, enabling on-the-go racing without compromising the core excitement of NASCAR competition.^[24] This project positioned NASCAR Rivals as the first official NASCAR title for the Nintendo Switch, expanding the franchise to a new audience following Motorsport Games' acquisition of the NASCAR video game license through its 2018 investment in 704Games, the prior developer of the NASCAR Heat series.^[25] By leveraging the license, Motorsport Games sought to bring the full 2022 rosters and tracks to portable devices, bridging console-style racing with mobile gaming trends.

Production and design

NASCAR Rivals was developed by Motorsport Games, a video game studio headquartered in Miami, Florida, which handled the full production process for the title's exclusive release on the Nintendo Switch.^[26] The studio adapted its in-house engine technology from previous NASCAR titles, building upon the foundation of NASCAR Heat 5 Ultimate Edition while incorporating select features from NASCAR 21: Ignition to streamline asset creation and core mechanics.^[27] This approach allowed the team to focus on Switch-specific adaptations, ensuring compatibility with the console's hybrid portable and docked modes. The development cycle was notably compressed, spanning approximately two months from the game's public announcement on August 17, 2022, to its launch on October 14, 2022, enabling a rapid iteration on existing NASCAR simulation technology to capture the 2022 Cup Series season.^[1] Design decisions emphasized portability and accessibility for on-the-go play, with graphics optimized for the Switch's handheld screen resolution and performance constraints, prioritizing stable visuals over high-fidelity rendering seen in prior console entries.^[4] Physics modeling was simplified to balance simulation authenticity with intuitive controls, favoring approachable handling suitable for casual players rather than deep realism, while still replicating key elements of stock car racing dynamics.^[27] Efforts focused on authentic representation of the NASCAR Next Gen car specifications, including updated chassis and aerodynamics, through targeted tweaks to vehicle models and handling parameters.^[24] These optimizations ensured the game's core racing loop remained engaging on a portable device, with features like Joy-Con wheel support enhancing immersion without compromising frame stability.^[28]

Release

Launch details

NASCAR Rivals was released on October 14, 2022, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch platform.^[1] The game launched at a price of $49.99 USD, applicable to both the physical cartridge and digital download versions available via the Nintendo eShop.^[29] No special or limited editions were offered at launch.^[2] It carries an ESRB rating of E for Everyone, citing mild lyrics and alcohol references as the content descriptors.^[30] A day-one patch was deployed upon the game's availability, introducing features like a rear-view mirror to enhance gameplay visibility.^[11]

Distribution and availability

Pre-orders for NASCAR Rivals commenced on August 24, 2022, allowing consumers to reserve copies through prominent retailers such as Amazon, GameStop, Walmart, and the Nintendo eShop.^[1] This early access option facilitated anticipation building ahead of the game's October 14, 2022, launch, with standard pricing set at $49.99 for both physical and digital editions.^[10] The title was distributed in physical cartridge form primarily in North America and select international regions, catering to collectors and those preferring tangible media for the Nintendo Switch platform.^[31] Complementing this, digital downloads became accessible worldwide via the Nintendo eShop, broadening reach to global audiences without regional physical shipping constraints.^[12] Post-launch, downloadable content packs such as the 2022 Throwback Pack, Patriotic Pack, and Playoff Pack were released, adding alternate paint schemes and other content to the base game, which encompasses all essential 2022 NASCAR season elements, including tracks, vehicles, and career mode features.^{[1] [32]} The digital version of the game and its DLC were delisted from the Nintendo eShop and other digital storefronts effective December 31, 2024, though existing owners retain access.^[8] Physical copies continue to be available through select retailers as of November 2025.^[6] Online features and multiplayer support ended on August 1, 2025.^[33]

Promotion

Marketing campaigns

Motorsport Games released the official reveal trailer for NASCAR Rivals on August 17, 2022, introducing the game's concept as the licensed video game of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season exclusively for Nintendo Switch. This trailer highlighted key features such as career mode, multiplayer options, and authentic tracks, aiming to capture the intensity of stock car racing in a portable format.^[34] A gameplay trailer followed on August 24, 2022, coinciding with the start of pre-orders, showcasing in-game mechanics including vehicle handling, race starts, and rivalry interactions on tracks like Daytona International Speedway.^[35][36] The launch trailer debuted on October 14, 2022, the game's release date, emphasizing on-the-go accessibility with the tagline "Start your rivalry on the track or wherever you go."^[37][38] Digital marketing efforts centered on the Motorsport Games website, which hosted trailers, screenshots, and purchase details, alongside social media promotion on YouTube, Twitter (now X), and Instagram through official accounts like @NASCARRivals.^[39][40] NASCAR's official channels amplified these materials, sharing posts to reach core fans and highlight the Switch-exclusive portability. Pre-order campaigns launched on August 24, 2022, across retailers and the Nintendo eShop, priced at $49.99, to build anticipation ahead of the October release without specified exclusive incentives. Marketing targeted NASCAR enthusiasts desiring mobile gameplay, positioning the title as "rivalry on the go" to appeal to fans seeking convenient access to Cup Series simulation beyond traditional consoles.^[41]

Sponsorship integrations

One of the key sponsorship integrations for NASCAR Rivals involved a real-world partnership with Live Fast Motorsports, where the game served as the primary sponsor for the team's No. 78 Chevrolet driven by B.J. McLeod during the 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. This deal featured prominent game branding on the car's livery, providing visibility to millions of viewers during the race. The sponsorship was part of Motorsport Games' strategy to tie the mobile title directly to the NASCAR Cup Series, enhancing authenticity and fan engagement, and it extended to the October 2022 race at Talladega Superspeedway.^[42][43][44] In-game, NASCAR Rivals incorporated sponsor liveries that closely mirrored real-world NASCAR deals from the 2022 season, allowing players to race with authentic team and sponsor designs in modes like Race Now. These integrations included official primary schemes for all 2022 Cup Series drivers and cars, enabling customization in the Paint Booth while maintaining fidelity to actual on-track appearances. This approach not only replicated the visual spectacle of NASCAR but also highlighted sponsor partnerships, such as those seen in the game's licensed content.^[12] The Live Fast Motorsports sponsorship extended to cross-promotion within NASCAR's official media ecosystem, with the No. 78 car's NASCAR Rivals branding showcased during the NBC broadcast of the Coke Zero Sugar 400, reaching a broad audience through live coverage and commentary. This integration helped bridge the virtual game with live racing events, fostering mutual promotion between the title and the sport.^[45] Following the game's October 2022 release, there were no major sponsorship tie-ins with real NASCAR events or teams from 2023 onward; promotional activities ceased following the game's delisting from digital storefronts on December 31, 2024.^[12][8]

Reception

Critical and user reviews

NASCAR Rivals received limited critical attention upon its October 2022 release exclusively on Nintendo Switch, with no aggregated Metacritic score available due to the scarcity of professional reviews. Individual outlets highlighted the game's strong portability as a key strength, allowing players to experience a full NASCAR Cup Series career mode on the go without significant performance dips, even with a 40-car field. However, critics noted that the graphics appear dated and less vibrant when docked to a TV, featuring visual pop-in and lacking the sharpness of higher-end console titles.^[4][27] User reception has been more robust, earning a Metacritic user score of 7.6 out of 10 based on eight ratings, indicating generally favorable feedback. Players praised the authentic recreation of the 2022 NASCAR season, including official drivers, tracks, and vehicles, which provides an immersive entry point for newcomers through accessible controls and a complete season simulation in career mode. Multiplayer features, such as online races for up to 16 players and split-screen support, were also commended for adding replayability and social appeal, though online functionality was discontinued on August 1, 2025.^[46][33] Criticisms from users centered on technical issues, including game crashes during championship seasons and audio glitches like static crowd noise in later laps, which disrupt the experience. The AI was described as simplistic in some accounts, leading to predictable racing dynamics that fail to challenge veteran players adequately. Additionally, the absence of advanced features from previous NASCAR Heat titles, such as dynamic weather effects and a detailed damage model, was a common point of disappointment, making the simulation feel basic compared to more comprehensive entries in the series.^[46][47][27] Overall, while NASCAR Rivals was appreciated for its focused Cup Series content and Switch-optimized interface—often preferred over the broader but less polished NASCAR Heat Ultimate Edition+ for portable play—many viewed it as a straightforward simulator lacking depth in AI behavior and environmental interactions.^[27]

Commercial performance

NASCAR Rivals, released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch in October 2022, did not have official sales figures disclosed by its developer, Motorsport Games. The company's financial reports for 2022 indicate that the NASCAR franchise as a whole accounted for approximately 63% of total revenue, totaling around $6.5 million out of the firm's $10.32 million annual revenue, though this encompassed multiple titles including NASCAR Heat 5 and NASCAR 21: Ignition, with Rivals launching late in the year.^[48] Physical copies of the game were distributed through major retailers such as GameStop and Walmart, remaining available for purchase as of 2025 despite the digital delisting. On the Nintendo eShop, NASCAR Rivals was initially offered digitally but was removed from sale on December 31, 2024, alongside other NASCAR titles like NASCAR Heat, following Motorsport Games' sale of its exclusive simulation-style NASCAR video game license to iRacing.com in October 2023. This delisting reflects the broader challenges faced by the NASCAR consumer game series, which saw declining emphasis post-2020 as the industry shifted toward esports and simulation platforms.^[6][49] The game's longevity was limited, with no sequels developed under Motorsport Games' stewardship after Rivals, which served primarily to address the absence of a dedicated NASCAR title on the Switch platform following earlier entries like NASCAR Heat 5 Ultimate Edition+. In the context of the racing genre, NASCAR Rivals performed as a niche product targeted at portable play, but the license transfer to iRacing marked a pivot away from traditional console releases toward more competitive, online-focused experiences.^[50][8]