How To Navigate The Main Menu For The First Time

New to NASCAR 25? Learn how to navigate the main menu for the first time, find key modes, tweak assists, and start your first race with confidence.

Booting up a new racing game can feel like sitting in a real stock car cockpit: lots of buttons, no idea what to touch first. This guide shows you exactly how to navigate the main menu for the first time in NASCAR 25 so you can get racing instead of hunting through options. You’ll learn where the main modes usually live, how to spot settings and assists, and how to get into a race in under a minute.

Quick answer

When you first launch NASCAR 25, you’ll land on a main menu “hub” with a few big tiles or text options: one for racing (single race/quick race), one for a longer mode (like Career), and one for settings/options. To navigate the main menu for the first time, start by finding the “race now” style option, then locate the settings/assists menu, then look for Career or equivalent. From there, use your controller’s D‑pad/left stick to move between options and the main confirm button (usually A/X) to select.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Move left/right and up/down to highlight any tile or text that clearly means “race now,” “quick race,” or “single event.”
• Start a quick/solo race at any track just to confirm you can get from menu → loading screen → track.
• Back out to the main menu, find “Options,” “Settings,” or a gear/three-lines icon, and open it so you know where assists and controls live.
• Look for “Career,” “Championship,” or “My Driver” to see where the long-term mode is located.
• Note how to open the pause/side menu (often the Menu/Options/Start button) in case there’s an in-game shortcut back to settings.

What this means in NASCAR 25

When we talk about “navigating the main menu” in NASCAR 25, we’re really talking about learning three things:

1. Where to start a race fast
2. Where to change settings and assists
3. Where the long-term game modes (like Career) are hidden

In most modern NASCAR titles, the main menu is a hub: big buttons or tiles for the major game modes and a secondary row (or side menu) for options, profiles, and extras.

This matters because:

• Speed – Knowing the menu paths means you can go from boot to green flag in under a minute instead of clicking around lost.
• Consistency – You can always find assists, AI difficulty, and control settings so your car behaves the same each time.
• Progression – Modes like Career or Championship are where you’ll spend hours improving. Finding them early keeps you moving forward.
• Enjoyment – Less menu frustration = more laps turned, more races learned, and more fun.

Some quick jargon you might see near the menus:

• Assists – Helpers like braking help, steering help, traction control, or stability control that make the car easier to drive.
• AI difficulty – How fast and aggressive the computer-controlled drivers are.
• HUD – The on-screen display: speedometer, position, lap, mini-map, etc.
• Cautions – Yellow-flag periods that slow the field after accidents. These might be toggleable in rules settings.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

Here’s a quick troubleshooting map for common “lost in the menus” problems:

Step-by-step: How to navigate the main menu for the first time

Because UI labels can change between versions, this guide uses principle-based paths and shows you what to look for on-screen.

1. Learn the basic controls for menus

1. Use the left stick or D‑pad to move between menu items (up/down/left/right).
2. Use the main confirm button (A on Xbox, X on PlayStation, typical bottom face button) to select.
3. Use the back/cancel button (B on Xbox, O on PlayStation) to go one step up in the menu.
4. The Menu/Options/Start button usually opens a pause/side menu with shortcuts (sometimes including “Settings” or “Quit to Main Menu”).

Common gotcha: Holding a trigger/bumper might switch between tabs at the top of the screen (e.g., “Home,” “Play,” “Settings”). If you suddenly lose the “Play” options, check if you’ve moved to another tab.

2. Find the “Quick Race” or equivalent

This is your fastest path to action and a great way to confirm you can navigate correctly.

1. On the main screen, look for:
   • Large text or tiles that say “Race,” “Quick Race,” “Single Race,” “Race Now,” or something very close.
   • If you see multiple big options, one will typically imply instant racing rather than long-term modes.
2. Move the cursor onto that tile and confirm with the main button.
3. When prompted, pick:
   • Any track (famous ovals like Daytona, Talladega, etc., if available).
   • Any car/series that’s pre-selected or clearly labeled as the main NASCAR series.
4. Confirm until you see a loading screen followed by the pre-race or directly the track.

You’ll know it’s working when you see:

• A loading bar or tips screen.
• Then your car on pit road or the grid, with the HUD visible and “Start” or “Drive” prompts.

Common gotcha: If the game immediately throws you into a Career intro or a cutscene, you may have accidentally selected Career mode. Back out when possible and look for a more “instant” race option.

3. Locate Career / long-term modes

Most of your single-player time will likely live here, so find it early.

1. Return to the main hub screen (back/cancel button until you see the biggest set of menu options).
2. Look for wording like:
   • “Career”
   • “My Career,” “My Driver,” “My Team”
   • “Championship,” “Season,” “Single Player” (Career might live inside these).
3. Select it and just go far enough to see:
   • A new game / continue prompt.
   • Difficulty options or calendar-style season preview.

You don’t need to start the full mode yet—just confirm you know how to get back there.

Common gotcha: Some games tuck Career under a generic “Play” or “Solo” button. If you open “Play” and see multiple sub-options, scan each one briefly for “Career” or “Season.”

4. Find Options, Settings, or Assists

This is where you make the game feel drivable and enjoyable for your skill level.

1. On the main menu, look for:
   • A tile or word like “Options,” “Settings,” “Gameplay,” “Controls,” or “Garage/Setup”.
   • A gear icon, a wrench, or three horizontal lines (≡) off to a corner or side.
2. Move to that icon or label and select it.
3. Inside, you may see categories such as (names vary, so look for similar wording):
   • Controls / Input – button bindings, steering sensitivity.
   • Gameplay / Driving – assists, AI difficulty, rules.
   • Audio / Video – sound, brightness, camera options.

You’ll know you’re in the right area when you see sliders, toggles, or drop-downs instead of big game modes.

Common gotcha: Some games have separate settings for offline vs. online or for different profiles. If you change something and don’t see an effect, double-check that you’re editing the settings that apply to the mode you’re actually playing.

5. Learn how to get back to the main menu from anywhere

This saves a ton of frustration when you want to switch modes.

1. While in a sub-menu or pre-race lobby, press the back/cancel button repeatedly.
2. If that doesn’t work, press the Menu/Options/Start button to open the pause or side menu.
3. Look for items like:
   • “Quit,” “Exit,” “Back to Main Menu,” “Leave Session,” or “Title Screen.”
4. Confirm any “Are you sure?” prompt.

Common gotcha: Quitting from an online or career race might cause you to lose progress for that event. The game usually warns you; read that prompt before confirming.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

Once you know where the settings live, here’s a principle-based setup to look for. Names vary, but you’ll usually see these concepts.

Beginner

Aim for maximum stability and help:

• Steering / Braking / Traction assists: High or On
  • This helps prevent instant spins and makes the car less twitchy.
• ABS (anti-lock braking): On (if available)
  • Stops the tires from locking under heavy braking.
• Stability control: High or On
  • Helps the car stay straight under throttle.
• AI difficulty: Lowest 1–2 settings
  • Lets you learn racing lines and traffic without getting blown away.

Why: You’re learning both the menus and the driving at once. More help equals more time on track and less frustration.

Intermediate

Once you can run several laps without spinning:

• Lower steering/braking assists one step (e.g., from High to Medium).
• Keep stability control On but not maxed.
• Increase AI difficulty by 1–2 steps so you have to drive cleaner lines to pass.

Why: You start to feel what the car is actually doing while still having a safety net.

Advanced

When you’re comfortable running full races without major mistakes:

• Most assists: Off or Low
• Stability control: Off or minimal, if you can keep control.
• AI difficulty: Set so you finish mid-pack if you drive clean.

Why: This is closer to the real stock-car experience and makes small setup and line changes matter a lot more.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

Goal: Get comfortable moving between main menu → quick race → settings → main menu without thinking.

Track/context: Any short-to-medium oval or your favorite track in whatever quick race mode you can find.

Drill steps (repeat 3–4 times):

1. From the main menu, start a quick/solo race.
2. Run 2–3 laps, then pause and quit back to the main menu.
3. From the main menu, open Settings/Options, find the Driving/Assists section, and slightly change one assist (up or down).
4. Back out, start another quick race, and run 2–3 more laps to feel the difference.
5. Repeat, focusing on going from boot → race → settings → race quickly and calmly.

What success looks like:

• You can reach a race from the main menu in under 30 seconds.
• You can open settings, change an assist, and get back on track without getting lost.

Mistake to avoid:
Don’t change too many settings at once. Adjust only one or two things per run so you know what actually helped or hurt.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

1. Clicking the first big tile without reading it

   • Looks like: You keep ending up in Career or online when you just want a quick race.
   • Why: The biggest option is often a “featured” mode, not necessarily quick play.
   • Fix: Pause on the main menu for 5 seconds and read every large label before selecting.

2. Ignoring the Options/Settings area entirely

   • Looks like: Struggling with a car that feels too wild or too dull.
   • Why: You assume default settings are “for beginners.” They often aren’t.
   • Fix: Make a habit of opening Settings right away and checking Assists and AI difficulty.

3. Backing all the way to console/PC home by accident

   • Looks like: You’re trying to exit a race and suddenly you’re out of the game.
   • Why: Hitting the system home button instead of the in-game back/menu button.
   • Fix: Learn the in-game back/cancel button for your controller and use that first.

4. Changing settings while in the wrong mode/profile

   • Looks like: Your changes “don’t stick” or races feel unchanged.
   • Why: You modified settings for a preset or different mode.
   • Fix: Look for text that says “global,” “default,” or “all modes” and adjust those where possible.

5. Jumping straight into high AI difficulty

   • Looks like: You’re getting lapped in a few laps and feel overwhelmed.
   • Why: You set AI too high before you learned the tracks and physics.
   • Fix: Start at low difficulty, then raise it one step at a time when you win comfortably.

6. Not learning how to return to main menu from a session

   • Looks like: You sit through events you don’t want or hard-reset the game.
   • Why: You’re unsure which menu option quits safely.
   • Fix: In the pause menu, look specifically for “Back to Main Menu” or “Exit Session” and read confirmation prompts.

7. Assuming every menu name is obvious

   • Looks like: You miss Career because it’s under “Play” or “Single Player.”
   • Why: Modern games sometimes use umbrella labels.
   • Fix: Open each main tile once just to see what’s inside, then back out.

FAQs

How do I navigate the main menu for the first time in NASCAR 25?

Use the left stick or D‑pad to move between the main tiles or text options on the home screen, then press the confirm button (usually A/X) to select. First, locate the quick race/race now style option, then find Options/Settings and Career/long-term modes. Spend a minute opening and backing out of each main tile so the layout becomes familiar.

Where is Quick Race in NASCAR 25?

In most NASCAR titles, Quick Race (or similar) is either:

• A big tile on the first/home tab, labeled something like “Quick Race,” “Single Race,” or “Race Now,” or
• Inside a “Play” or “Single Player” submenu.
  Look for wording that implies one-off events rather than “Career,” “Season,” or “Championship.”

How do I change driving assists in NASCAR 25?

From the main menu, open “Options,” “Settings,” or a gear icon. Then look for a section labeled something close to “Driving,” “Gameplay,” “Assists,” or “Handling.” Inside, you’ll find toggles or sliders for items like steering assist, braking assist, ABS, and stability control. Increase them if the car is too hard to control; reduce them gradually as you improve.

How do I adjust AI difficulty in NASCAR 25?

Go to the Options/Settings area from the main menu and look for “Difficulty,” “AI,” or a similar label. You’ll usually find a slider or a list of presets (Easy/Normal/Hard, etc.). Start low if you’re new, and raise it one level at a time whenever you’re winning races comfortably.

How do I get back to the main menu if I’m stuck in a race or sub-menu?

Press the back/cancel button (B/O) to step out of sub-menus. If that doesn’t work, press the Menu/Options/Start button to open the pause menu and look for “Exit,” “Quit,” “Back to Main Menu,” or “Leave Session.” Confirm any prompts, but be aware you might lose progress for that specific event.

Where do I start Career mode in NASCAR 25?

From the main menu, scan for tiles or menu entries like “Career,” “My Career,” “My Driver,” “My Team,” “Season,” or “Championship.” If you don’t see it on the first screen, check under a broader label like “Play” or “Single Player.” Open each main tile once until you find the one that talks about a season, calendar, or progression.

Are there separate settings for online and offline in NASCAR 25?

Many racing games do split online and offline settings, especially for assists and rules. If you notice that your car feels different online, check the Options/Settings menu from both the main menu and from within an online lobby. Look for any labels mentioning “online,” “multiplayer,” or “lobby settings.”

Next steps

You’ve learned how to navigate the main menu for the first time in NASCAR 25, find quick race, locate settings, and identify where longer modes like Career usually live. From here, your goal is to make the menu feel as natural as the cockpit.

Next, spend 10–15 minutes doing short races, changing one setting at a time, and backing to the main menu until everything feels familiar.

Related articles (suggested topics):

• “Best Beginner Assists and Difficulty Settings in NASCAR 25”
• “How To Start Your First Career Season in NASCAR 25”
• “Basic Race Controls and Camera Settings in NASCAR 25”
• “How To Run Your First Full-Length Race in NASCAR 25”
• “Troubleshooting: Controller, Steering, and Sensitivity in NASCAR 25”
• “Beginner’s Guide: Reading the HUD and Race Info in NASCAR 25”