NASCAR 25 video game confirms driver lineup with | Sports News

Motorsport followers did little to cover their frustration after one notable identify was left off of the Cup Series driver lineup for the highly-anticipated ‘NASCAR 25’ video game.

Last month, iRacing and NASCAR introduced that this yr’s version of the beloved console game will launch on October 14, 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S, with PC by way of Steam set for a later date. In the leadup to the game’s release, potential gamers have already made their ideas recognized on a number of snubs from the driver listing, together with Kris Wright.

On Tuesday, droves of people moreover questioned why Connor Zilisch was omitted from the Cup Series driver roster, which already options 45 names. “No Zilisch in the 87? Lame,” one X person wrote, with one other including: “What y’all do with my boy @ConnorZilisch?”

A 3rd chimed in, “They really took Connor out of the game I’m crying.”

Others famous that Zilisch’s No. 87 (*25*) may very well be seen on the leaderboard of a simulated Cup Series race that RFK Racing posted to advertise the video game. “Zilisch is on this leaderboard RFK posted. Would love to see 87 in the game,” somebody stated.

The confusion was rapidly resolved as soon as Zilisch was listed on the Xfinity Series roster as a substitute. Yet given the truth that a number of Cup Series drivers who race part-time within the second-tier circuit had been additionally featured on the listing, many anticipated that the 19-year-old can be elevated to the best degree within the game.

This season, Zilisch has made three begins within the Cup Series, first debuting at Circuit of the Americas in March earlier than racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May and EchoPark Speedway in June. Earlier this yr, the Trackhouse Racing development driver candidly admitted it might “take time” earlier than he feels really snug whereas competing within the Cup Series. “It’s going to take time,” he advised Racer’s Kelly Crandall. “The car is a lot different. It’s very on edge. There is not a lot of room for error. I’m probably going to make mistakes and have moments, and there are going to be bad days. But as long as I continue to see myself grow, I’ll be satisfied. So it’s going to be a process no matter how you look at it.

“I had people tell me [about how big a jump it is to the Cup Series],” he added. “I’m friends with Zane [Smith] and Noah [Gragson] and all them, and they told me, ‘Dude, just wait until you’re fighting for a lucky dog or just wait until you’re 25th and you’re cheering that you finish top 20.’ You don’t understand until you get there.

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“Every guy in the Cup Series was a champion or a winner or was dominating at certain points of their career, and you get to the Cup Series, and nobody dominates. There is no guy who’s clear ahead of the field. It’s just different, and it’s tough to understand. It sucks losing, but you learn how to lose. I’m enjoying my time on Saturday while I can. Winning races is fun, but I’m trying to learn as much as I can, so when that day comes that I make the jump to Sundays, I’m ready for it.”

It seems as if Zilisch has had no bother discovering his footing within the Xfinity Series, nevertheless. Since coming back from a back damage, he’s amassed 10 consecutive top-5 finishes alongside with 4 wins in his final seven begins.