Picture this: In the high-octane world of virtual racing, only a handful of drivers earn the ultimate accolade—a flawless 100 rating that sets them apart as legends on the track. That's the excitement buzzing around NASCAR 25, the groundbreaking console game from iRacing, and it's got fans everywhere talking. But here's where it gets controversial—how fair are these ratings really, and do they match up with real-world dominance? Let's dive in and unpack it all, step by step, so even newcomers to NASCAR can follow along.
NASCAR 25 hit the scene for Gold Edition buyers through early access at midnight on Friday, October 10. While players are already tearing up online lobbies and diving into the deep offline career mode, the big reveal just before the full launch on October 14 for standard editions on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 has everyone hyped: the official driver ratings.
Think of these ratings like the 'Madden Ratings' in the iconic Madden NFL series—they dictate how real NASCAR and ARCA drivers perform in the game's virtual universe. Out of about 176 unique racers across the four touring series in the game, only three snagged that elusive perfect 100 overall score. And this is the part most people miss: These ratings aren't random; they're based on a secret formula evaluating drivers across six track styles, making it a true test of versatility.
For beginners, let's break down those track types simply: Superspeedways are massive ovals like Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta, where speed reigns supreme. Speedways include tracks like Michigan and Pocono, blending high speeds with strategy. Intermediates are 1.5-mile ovals, Short Intermediates cover shorter tracks, Concrete refers to tough surfaces like Bristol and Dover, and Road Courses are winding, technical circuits that demand precision.
Now, the stars who claimed perfect 100s in specific categories? Joey Logano dominated Superspeedways, Denny Hamlin ruled Speedways and Concrete, William Byron excelled at Intermediates, Christopher Bell shone on Short Intermediates, and Shane van Gisbergen conquered Road Courses. But here's where it gets controversial—why these drivers over others? Some fans argue it's biased toward recent performances, while others say it overlooks veterans. What do you think—does this formula capture true talent, or is it just hype?
Leading the pack overall is William Byron, piloting the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. He's not just a top-rated driver; he's the first NASCAR Cup Series racer to hit 100 in the iRacing NASCAR console franchise, and he's proudly featured on the game's cover collage. Byron's success highlights how these ratings can make or break a driver's virtual legacy.
Here's the full rundown of NASCAR Cup Series driver ratings in NASCAR 25 at launch:
Rank
Driver
OVR
1
William Byron
100
2
Denny Hamlin
99
3
Kyle Larson
99
4
Ryan Blaney
98
5
Christopher Bell
97
6
Chase Elliott
96
7
Tyler Reddick
92
8
Chase Briscoe
92
9
Joey Logano
90
10
Bubba Wallace
90
11
Chris Buescher
89
12
Brad Keselowski
88
13
Alex Bowman
87
14
Ross Chastain
87
15
Ty Gibbs
86
16
Ryan Preece
84
17
Kyle Busch
84
18
Carson Hocevar
84
19
Austin Cindric
83
20
AJ Allmendinger
80
21
Josh Berry
78
22
Erik Jones
77
23
Michael McDowell
77
24
Daniel Suarez
76
25
Austin Dillon
76
26
John Hunter Nemechek
76
27
Zane Smith
75
28
Justin Haley
74
29
Shane van Gisbergen
72
30
Todd Gilliland
71
31
Noah Gragson
71
32
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
69
33
Cole Custer
68
34
Ty Dillon
66
35
Connor Zilisch
63
36
Riley Herbst
63
37
Martin Truex Jr.
63
38
Corey LaJoie
60
39
Cody Ware
55
40
Jimmie Johnson
54
41
Justin Allgaier
52
42
JJ Yeley
50
43
BJ McLeod
50
44
Josh Bilicki
49
45
Chad Finchum
46
46
Helio Castroneves
44
47
Burt Myers
40
Joining Byron in the exclusive '100 Club' is NASCAR Xfinity Series sensation Connor Zilisch. Despite a part-time Cup Series stint with Trackhouse Racing that netted him a 63 rating there, Zilisch's 10 wins this season in Xfinity have propelled him to the top in that series' ratings. It's a great example of how dominance in one tier can translate to virtual stardom.
Top-five NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars:
Rank
Driver
Rating
1
Connor Zilisch
100
2
Justin Allgaier
99
3
Aric Almirola
97
4
Jesse Love
94
5
Sam Mayer
93
The third member of the 100 Club? Corey Heim in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. With a record-breaking 10 wins this season and a seven-point lead over the next top-rated full-timer (while some Cup stars like Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain hover in the high 90s), Heim is the clear championship frontrunner. This raises an interesting debate: Should Truck Series drivers get such high marks, or does it undervalue Cup Series experience?
Top-five NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regulars:
Rank
Driver
Rating
1
Corey Heim
100
2
Layne Riggs
93
3
Ty Majeski
90
4
Chandler Smith
89
5
Daniel Hemric
86
Finally, the ARCA Menards Series debuts in a NASCAR console game with NASCAR 25. While no one hit 100, Brenden 'Butterbean' Queen leads with a 99 after an eight-win championship season with Pinnacle Racing Group. William Sawalich, a Xfinity regular with part-time Cup experience, is close behind at 97.
Top-five ARCA Menards Series regulars:
Rank
Driver
Rating
1
Brenden Queen
99
2
Lavar Scott
90
3
Lawless Alan
90
4
Isabella Robusto
86
5
Jake Finch
84
Ready to get your hands on NASCAR 25? It's launching on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 on October 14, with PC via Steam on November 11. Check out the official site for ordering details.
But let's stir the pot: Are these ratings a fair reflection of skill, or just a marketing gimmick to boost certain drivers? Do you agree with the top picks, or think someone like a seasoned vet deserves the crown? Share your thoughts in the comments—I'm curious to hear the debate!
