NASCAR SimRacing demo premieres on GameSpot DLX

Long before Electronic Arts was acquiring the rights to the National Football League, Arena Football League, and ESPN, the software giant acquired one of sport's most popular licenses, NASCAR. The deal is good through 2009, and the newest NASCAR title from EA's Tiburon Studios (home of the Madden franchise) is NASCAR SimRacing for the PC, which will cross the production finish line February 15.

EA today released the demo of NASCAR SimRacing, now premiering on GameSpot DLX. The 161MB download lets drivers race in the "race now" mode on two tracks: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Kansas Speedway. Gamers can also choose between 10 drivers, including Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

NASCAR SimRacing runs slightly differently than the past NASCAR offerings from EA. This title, which is exclusively for the PC, is aimed at fans of hardcore NASCAR simulations, as opposed to the fan-friendly NASCAR 2000 series that appeared on both consoles and the PC.

The full retail version will feature a career mode that challenges drivers to make their way up to the bright lights of the Daytona 500 from humble beginnings as a NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series driver. NASCAR SimRacing will also support 43 online racers and voice chat for some serious paint swapping and trash talking. Other tracks that will be included are the Bristol Motor Speedway, the Milwaukee Mile, and three EA Sports fantasy tracks.

For more information on the game, including our hands-on preview, check out our previous coverage.