Aggressive marketing has practically replaced NASCAR's red-blooded, red-stated roots for a national phenomenon with all the edge of a stock car sponsored by Viagra.
Take "NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup," a game that celebrates marketing acumen almost as much as driving prowess. The game opens not on ugly old Texas Motor Speedway, but a generic city street where the player races against 2002 Rookie of the Year Ryan Newman.
The face-off allows game maker Electronic Arts the opportunity to promote Dodge Viper with an in-game advertisement and set the story. After beating Newman, the player can then work his way through the racing ranks from the open stock car Featherlite Modified Series circuit to truck racing and on to the NASCAR National circuit.
"NASCAR 2005's" raison d'etre is building a "career" on the circuit and like virtually every sports game on the market today, success is contingent not just on beating the competition, but in pouring virtual winnings into better equipment or nicer uniforms or a competent pit staff. A descent-sized component of "NASCAR 2005" actually includes negotiating sponsor contracts.
When the rubber hits the road, however, "NASCAR 2005" shines. Even on the easiest level, many players won't place better than 10th on the first several races. In a nice touch, a sorry showing on the track triggers hilarious cut scenes where the driver vents his frustration by kicking tires while fellow racers awkwardly walk over to give a macho sort of hug that says, "Hang in there, little buddy."
There are opportunities to develop alliances with other drivers. But every bump or cut-off has repercussions as well. The longer a career, the more enemies a player earns. They will hunt you down in future races to the point of risking the destruction of their own vehicle.
"NASCAR 2005" boasts over 39 tracks, but graphics lack the cool immersion of street racing games like "Midnight Club" which are able to take advantage of rain-slicked cobblestones and street lights to better effect.
