Great improvements and driver incorporations make it the best in the series in a long time.
Positives
+ Custom download paint schemes / Deep in game Paint Booth
+ All new Career format makes you work your way up and earn better contracts
+ Better Handling with 2 driving modes
+ Sprint Driver Challenges are fun and help teach you the basics
+ Driver video introductions for challenges
+ Reputation is earned various ways for better contracts
+ Alternate Sponsor Paint Schemes
+ Smooth online racing
+ Improved Graphics
+ Improved Sound
+ Test and Tune mode to search for that perfect set-up
+ Jeff Gordon Walks you through
+ Deep Set-up cutomization
Negatives
- No Split Screen
- Custom Paint Schemes online show up as plain gray to others
- No Manufactures
- No pre-race introductions
As you can see the + out weigh the -. This game is a huge improvement over 08, which isn't hard because 08 sucked, but it's good to see that EA realized that having an exclusive license doesn't mean you can slack off and they remade the NASCAR game. Looks like they are doing the same with NCAA and MADDEN too and lets hope NASCAR 09 is a look at things to come!