I'm 39 and haven't really liked any video games since I was 29. I've owned everything from a Wii/PS2/Sega/C64/Intellivision. This was the first game that I played more than a handful of times since Half-Life. The big problem with the game is that it is extremely difficult for newbs and too easy for video game lifers. I hope 09 is more challenging for me and yet less challenging for my kids.

I am going to start this off by saying I am a total video game novice. The reason I bought this game was because I am a NASCAR fan and I saw the commercials on TV and decided it looked REALLY fun.

I am sure this game is fun if you already have the other NASCAR games and are good at them. I admit at first I found the game extremely frustrating to play because I just wanted to jump in a car and drive around the track. Doesn't quite work that way. I know more experienced gamers will probably laugh at me but I couldn't make it one lap around the track without crashing. This is not to be blamed on the game...this is complete user error here. Once I invested more time into the game I found myself really enjoying running the whelan series cars but have yet to run the series well enough to move up to the next level (remember this is from a NOVICE).

While not jump right into the game friendly like I enjoy, I found the graphics fairly realistic and once I got my groove on I was able to figure out how to play.

I bought this product because I have liked all the nascar games, but this would be the first nascar game that i have purchased for the playstation 2. all my other games were for the xbox. well i realy liked the graphics and choice of the car of tommorow, but the ps2 controler for the game sucks. I gues i will have to purchase a game wheel and try it out, but to everyone who is thinking about purchasing this for the ps2 and using the regular controler, purchase a wheel first. see on my xbox controler you have rt triger finger controlls the gas and you can press down on it half way and get half throtle, on the ps2 its either throtle or nothing.

I was sadly disappointed with the previous version and took it to a reseller. I love driving games and after reading some reviews decided to give NASCAR one more try. I'm glad. I have played throug a season and moved on to "earn my stripes". Starting as a rookie is easy to work through and gives needed experience for handling higher levels of expertise.

Only problem...it won't support my game wheel and my hands develop fatigue so I have to keep races short. I may try the pause option to rest my hands but haven't done so yet.

ATTENTION EA SPORTS NASCAR SEASON BEGINS IN FEBRUARY NOT AUGUST!!!!!!! Why does Ea sports keep putting its nascar games out when the season is practically over? By then many driver changes have been made making the game outdated as soon as they release it. Visually the game is very good and crisp but play wise is another story. A race car traveling at 200 Mph will not bounce of the wall and flip over 10 times and then miraculosly get back on the track and win the race. Who ever designs these games knows absolutely nothing about Nascar racing.