NASCAR 2008 was a frustrating game. Just driving the car around the oval was a challenge. Adding to the frustration was the fact that you had to unlock drivers before you could use them, you had to pass license tests before you could race on certain tracks, the AI drivers would seemingly drive right through you, and there was no real career mode. Thankfully, this year, EA has improved all of these areas and more with NASCAR 2009.

The “normal” driving model has been revamped and is less challenging, the interface is cleaner, all drivers and all types of racing are accessible from the get-go, the AI drivers race with a modicum of intelligence, and there is finally a real career mode. Online play has also improved, with up to 14 human/computer drivers and a lot less visual stuttering from the vehicles on the track.

Love him or hate him, Jeff Gordon is going to be your mentor throughout your experience. Much of the game is explained through a virtual Jeff Gordon from the second you start it up through your progress in all of the game modes. It’s actually a very helpful way to understand all that the title has to offer, and it never feels intrusive. You’re immediately thrown into a ten lap race to get a feel for the game, and then Gordon guides you through some options and settings to consider as you start driving.

The graphics overall are very good; the cars are vibrant and detailed, and the vehicle damage and particle effects look great. The track environments are gorgeous and pretty realistic, with excellent draw distance and smooth animation. Moreover, the lighting, shadows, and smoke effects are spectacular. Grime builds on your windshield if you hit the grass (until you pit). The smoke effects make driving into a wreck site downright scary - it's literally like driving blind, making avoiding an accident in a pileup that much harder, and the driving that much more lifelike.

A fantastic addition this year is the ability to customize a car's paint job. There are minimal tools included in the game, but you can also work "offline" on your PC and load the car back into the game, giving diehards the ability to recreate any paint job/sponsor combination their abilities will allow. The game isn't quite as sharp and detailed as the near photo-realistic graphics offered in some other racing games, but given the size of the field and other details that have to be animated during a race, EA has found the perfect balance between quality and smooth framerates.