E3 2001 Preshow Report: NASCAR Heat 2001 Season

It's an all-new season for NASCAR's Winston Cup, and along for the ride is Infogrames, the new kid on the block when it comes to NASCAR video games. Although NASCAR Heat 2001 Season is the company's first attempt at bringing the NASCAR experience home, the game is shaping up to be a solid contender.

Speeding onto the PlayStation 2, NASCAR Heat is an officially licensed NASCAR product that will feature 25 big-name drivers, 19 official Winston Cup tracks, and a smattering of diverse gameplay modes. Single race, season, beat the heat, and pro challenge make up the game's single-player repertoire, while a two-player versus mode will give you the chance to challenge your friends one-on-one in hardtop competition.

Although NASCAR Heat 2001 Season was designed to depict the effects of realistic car damage, collisions, track impairments, and weather conditions on the overall racing experience, the game will also have a variety of adjustable settings and control options--making it appropriate for both arcade and simulation fans. Capping things off, Infogrames has signed Richard Petty to perform the crew chief and spotter-radio duties.