How To Start Your Journey: Choosing A Series

Learn how to start your journey: choosing a series in NASCAR 25. Compare Cup, Xfinity, Trucks, and more so you pick the best path for your skill, time, and goals.

Quick answer

If you’re new to NASCAR 25, don’t jump straight into the top series just because it looks coolest. Your “series” choice is basically your career difficulty, race style, and learning curve rolled into one.

To start your journey: choosing a series comes down to three things: how new you are to racing games, how much time you want to invest, and whether you prefer calmer races or chaotic pack battles. Most true beginners should start in a lower-tier series (like Trucks or Xfinity if available), use assists, and then move up once they can run clean laps without spinning or crashing.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Decide honestly: are you brand new, racing-game comfortable, or experienced sim racer?
• In Career or main single-player mode, look for a “Series Selection,” “Choose Series,” or “Career Start” screen.
• If brand new, pick the lowest or second-lowest national series (often Trucks or Xfinity in most NASCAR titles).
• Turn on full driving assists for your first races.
• Run a 5–10 lap race against easy AI and notice: can you stay on track, hold a line, and avoid spins?
• Only move to a higher series once you can run clean races without relying on constant wall contact or AI bumping to turn.

What this means in NASCAR 25

In NASCAR 25, “choosing a series” usually means deciding which level of NASCAR you’ll race in:

• A top national series (like the NASCAR Cup Series in most games)
• A support series (commonly Xfinity or Trucks in prior NASCAR titles)
• Sometimes local/fictional feeder series if the game includes them

Each series usually has:

• Different car performance (horsepower, handling, aero grip)
• Different field strength (how fast and smart the AI is)
• Different race lengths and intensity

Why it matters:

• Speed & handling: Top series cars are faster and more nervous. You’ll feel more “on edge” entering and exiting corners.
• Consistency: Lower series let you practice rhythm—hitting your marks lap after lap—without being overwhelmed by speed.
• Safety: Slower, more stable cars reduce spins, crashes, and frustration when you’re still learning.
• Progression & enjoyment: Starting lower means you actually feel yourself improving and “earning” your shot at the top series instead of getting stomped immediately.

Key terms you’ll run into:

• Tight / Push: Car doesn’t want to turn; it drifts up the track toward the wall.
• Loose: Rear end wants to step out; car feels like it wants to spin.
• Draft: The slipstream behind another car; you get less air resistance and more speed.
• Aero: Aerodynamics—how air moves over the car, affecting grip and speed.
• Tire falloff: As laps go by, tires wear; grip goes down, lap times slow.
• Cautions: Yellow-flag slowdowns after wrecks; bunches the field up again.

The series you choose affects how intense all of these feel right away.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

Use this as a quick “am I in the wrong series?” checklist.

Step-by-step: How to do it

These steps use “likely path” wording, since exact NASCAR 25 menu names may differ slightly. Look for similar terms if your screens don’t match exactly.

1. Get to the mode where series choice matters

1. From the main menu, look for a mode named something like:
   • “Career”, “My Career”, or “Driver Career”
   • If not that, look for a long-term mode with contracts or seasons.
2. Select that mode.
3. You should see an early screen about starting your journey, creating a driver, or picking your path.

You’re in the right spot when the game talks about seasons, teams, or contracts, not just a one-off race.

2. Find the series selection screen

Depending on how NASCAR 25 is laid out, you’ll see one of these:

• A direct question like:
  • “Which series do you want to start in?”
  • “Select starting series”
• A multi-step flow like:
  1. Choose Driver Profile
  2. Choose Team or Free Agent
  3. Then choose Series

Look for logos or text referring to:

• Cup (top level)
• Xfinity (mid level)
• Trucks (entry level)
• Or “local/feeder” style series if present.

3. Match your skill to the right starting series

Use this simple rule:

1. If you’re brand new to racing games or NASCAR physics:
   • Choose the lowest national series available (usually Trucks or equivalent).
2. If you’ve played other racing games but not NASCAR much:
   • Choose mid-tier (often Xfinity).
3. If you’re an experienced sim racer used to high-speed oval racing:
   • You can start in the top series, but be ready to lower AI difficulty and use assists at first.

What it should feel like when it’s right:

• You’re not winning easily, but you’re not getting destroyed either.
• You can stay with the pack, learn, and finish races without constant wrecks.

Common gotcha:
Don’t pick the top series just because that’s what’s on TV. In-game, it’s like jumping into the hardest mode before you know how the cars handle.

4. Set race length & AI to match your series

1. On or after series selection, look for options like:
   • Race Length, AI Difficulty, Driving Assists.
2. For your first season in a lower series:
   • Use short or medium race length (not the longest option).
   • Set AI to the lower half of the difficulty slider.
3. Test a single race. If you’re:
   • Always last → lower AI or drop a series level.
   • Always first without trying → raise AI or move up a series next season.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

These apply to any series you choose, but they matter most when you’re starting out.

Beginner (first season)

Best if: You’re new to racing games or struggling to stay on track.

• Stability control: ON / High – Helps prevent spins, especially in higher series.
• Traction control / throttle assist: ON – Smooths your acceleration out of corners.
• ABS / brake assist: ON – Reduces lock-ups and sliding when braking.
• Steering assist: Medium or ON – Calms the car when you over-correct.
• AI difficulty: Low–Medium – You should be fighting for positions, not just surviving.

Intermediate

Best if: You can run clean laps and finish races in the top 10 sometimes.

• Stability control: Medium
• Traction control: Medium or Low
• ABS: Medium
• Steering assist: Low
• AI difficulty: Mid-range – You should be working hard for top 5 finishes.

Advanced

Best if: You’re consistently winning in a lower series and want challenge.

• Most assists: OFF or Low – Let the car behave realistically.
• AI difficulty: High – You should need perfect lines and strategy to win.
• Longer race lengths – So tire falloff, pit stops, and cautions matter more.

You can also use assists to “cheat” a bit in a tougher series. For example, if you move to Cup, keep stability control higher for a while so the speed doesn’t bite you.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

Goal: Confirm you chose the right series and tune your comfort level.

1. Pick a simple oval track
   • Choose a mid-sized, not tiny-short and not superspeedway-long oval (something like a 1–1.5 mile style track if available).
2. Run a 10–15 lap race in your selected series against low–medium AI.
3. Focus on:
   • Holding the same line through each corner.
   • Lifting off the throttle at the right time, then gently rolling back on.
   • Avoiding contact with wall and AI as much as possible.
4. Success looks like:
   • You finish the race without spinning.
   • You see your lap times stabilize (little variation lap to lap).
   • You can stay near a small pack of cars instead of being totally alone.

Big mistake to avoid:

• Don’t immediately chase wins. Your first goal is clean laps and racecraft. Series choice is correct when you can learn without feeling hopeless or bored.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

1. Starting in the top series on high AI

   • Looks like: You’re always in the back or wrecking by lap 3.
   • Why: You picked based on prestige, not skill level.
   • Fix: Drop to a lower series and reduce AI; focus on finishing races first.

2. Changing series too often

   • Looks like: A few races here, a few there, never settling.
   • Why: You’re chasing “fun” instead of building skill.
   • Fix: Commit to one series for at least one full season.

3. Ignoring assists out of pride

   • Looks like: Constant spins, over-corrections, and rage quits.
   • Why: You think “real racers don’t use assists.”
   • Fix: Turn assists on now; remove them gradually as your control improves.

4. Staying in the lowest series after you’re dominating

   • Looks like: Winning every race by seconds with ease.
   • Why: Fear of losing or moving up.
   • Fix: Use your dominance as a signal—it’s time to move up a series or difficulty.

5. Confusing AI difficulty with series difficulty

   • Looks like: You jump series instead of adjusting AI, or vice versa.
   • Why: You treat the series pick as the only difficulty setting.
   • Fix: Adjust both: series = car/speed level, AI = competitor strength.

6. Not testing with short races first

   • Looks like: Jumping into long races, getting exhausted or frustrated halfway.
   • Why: You wanted “realistic” race length too early.
   • Fix: Start short; increase length after you’re confident in your chosen series.

7. Ignoring how the car “feels”

   • Looks like: You only care about position, not control.
   • Why: You assume being last just means you’re “bad.”
   • Fix: Pay attention to whether the car feels violent and twitchy (too high series) or lazy and boring (too low / too easy).

FAQs

What series should I start with in NASCAR 25?

If NASCAR 25 follows recent NASCAR games, start with the lowest national series available (often Trucks or equivalent) if you’re a beginner. If you have solid racing game experience, you can start in the mid-tier series. Only start in the top series if you’re ready for the steepest learning curve and are comfortable adjusting assists and AI.

Can I change my series later in my career?

Most NASCAR career modes let you move up series over time as you earn results, reputation, or contracts. Expect to need to finish a season or achieve certain goals before switching series, rather than swapping freely every race. If the game has a separate “Custom” or “Single Race” mode, you can usually run any series there anytime.

Is it bad to start in the Cup Series as a beginner?

It’s not “bad,” but it’s hard. Cup-level cars are usually faster, less forgiving, and the AI is stronger. If you do start there, turn on maximum assists, keep race lengths short, and be ready to lower AI difficulty until you can finish races consistently.

How do I know it’s time to move up a series?

When you can:

• Run clean races with few or no spins,
• Consistently finish top 5, and
• Sometimes win even as you raise AI difficulty,
  that’s your sign you’re ready to try the next series up.

Do different series actually handle differently?

In most NASCAR titles, yes. Higher series cars generally have more power, are more aero-sensitive, and react more sharply to steering and throttle inputs. Lower series cars often feel more stable, making them better for learning braking points, corner entry, and racecraft.

What if there are fictional or local series in NASCAR 25?

Treat any local or fictional feeder series as “Rookie Mode” for your career. They’re great for learning how the game handles without the pressure of big-name teams and tracks. Once you’re comfortable winning there, step into Trucks/Xfinity (or equivalent), then the top series.

Next steps

Your series choice in NASCAR 25 is basically your starting difficulty and learning path. Pick a series that challenges you without overwhelming you, lean on assists at first, and move up only when you’re clearly ready.

Next, run a short season in your chosen series and focus on clean laps and finishing races. Once that feels comfortable, bump either the AI difficulty or series level for your next season.

Related articles (suggested):

• “Beginner Driving Assists Guide: Getting Comfortable in NASCAR 25”
• “AI Difficulty and Race Length: Finding Your Sweet Spot in NASCAR 25”
• “Basic Racecraft: Holding a Line, Passing, and Surviving Restarts”
• “Understanding Tire Wear, Fuel, and Pit Strategy in NASCAR 25”
• “How to Run Your First Full Season in NASCAR 25 Career Mode”