NASCAR 25 has just been officially released, and the game's first update has already been announced. This update introduces plenty of bug fixes for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X, introduces new slider options, and makes a few gameplay improvements.
The goal of this first update is to smooth out the gameplay experience and tackle issues experienced by early access players, who bought the Gold Edition, and because of that got in front of the wheel four days before the worldwide release.
Without further ado, let's find out what changes the NASCAR 25 Update 1 brought to both consoles.
NASCAR 25 Patch Notes – PS5
The PlayStation 5 update focuses on one of the most common player complaints, i.e., force feedback on racing wheels, alongside several stability and gameplay fixes. Here's what's been addressed:
- Force Feedback Improvements for Wheels—Steering response and feel have been tuned across all supported devices for more realistic control.
- Crash Fix: Paint Kit - Resolved a bug causing crashes while using custom paint schemes.
- Caution Fix on Final Lap – When a caution is triggered on the last lap, the race now ends properly instead of extending into a Green-White-Checkered finish.
- Ghost Car Fix for Online Races – Players who cut the track in online races will now ghost immediately to prevent collisions.
- Other Minor Fixes and Improvements—General performance tweaks and small stability adjustments.
NASCAR 25 Patch Notes – Xbox Series X|S
Shortly after, the Xbox update addressed significant concerns raised by the community: target achievement bugs and career mode stability. The full patch includes:
- Fixed 100% Achievement Not Unlocking – Players can now properly unlock completion-based achievements.
- Career Mode Vehicle Wear Fix – Cars in inactive series will no longer suffer wear if not being used.
- Online Lobby Stability – Fixed a rare crash issue occurring in multiplayer lobbies.
- Lap Time Display Correction – Fixed incorrect online lobby start position displays tied to lap times.
- Other Fixes and Enhancements – Various refinements to improve gameplay flow and reliability.
Community Feedback & Upcoming Fixes
So far, player reactions have mostly been positive. Many fans are relieved to see that iRacing is responding quickly to early reports, especially regarding wheel support and online stability. However, a few concerns are still there: inconsistent force feedback on certain Logitech models and open lobbies where newcomers mix with seasoned players.
PC users will have to wait a bit longer to jump in, as the Steam version of NASCAR 25 will launch on November 11. Until then, the team is actively collecting feedback on Discord, and more quality-of-life updates are expected soon.
For now, NASCAR 25's initial fixes appear promising as they tighten controls, fix crashes, and set the stage for a more seamless cross-platform experience. At this pace, iRacing fans might finally have the polished, competitive NASCAR experience they've been waiting for.
Stay tuned to racinggames.gg: the home of virtual motorsport.