How EA Sports Can Improve Their NASCAR Games

I admit it! Every year, I go out and purchase the latest NASCAR game presented by EA Sports. And each year, I am usually a little dissatisfied.

This year, once again, I had high hopes, but there are several discrepancies regarding NASCAR 2007 that are a nuisance to me. There are just so many ways in which EA Sports can enrich their NASCAR games, and make them more realistic to their loyal buyers.

Firstly, whatever happened to the leaderboard? Ever since NASCAR Thunder 2004, it has vanished completely, and has yet to return.

During the race, I would like to pause and pull up the leaderboard, just to keep check on how my competition is doing. What if I am running in 15th place, and want to see who's running second or third. I may want to see what position Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon, or Tony Stewart may be in. I would like to know exactly which drivers have fallen out of the race. I may be engaging in a heated points battle, and knowing who is where and in what position is imperative.

Also, whenever someone hits the wall, the damage is incredibly unrealistic. I have watched Dale Earnhardt Jr wreck up in front of me, and hit the wall, flip over about three or four times, and the proceed to win that very same race.

If a car hits the wall, it would be nice if the artificial intelligence would at least weaken their performance for that particular race.

In NASCAR 2005 and NASCAR 2006, you could create a car, and use a wide array of single and double digit numbers. That was one feature that really impressed me. Well, in NASCAR 2007, only three digit numbers are accessible. Has anyone ever seen a three digit car out on the NASCAR circuit? Of course not.

NASCAR 2007 has added a driver attribute rating, which is a very ingenious concept. But it would be even better if we could adjust every driver's attributes. Each year, a driver's performance may change. I know that Elliott Sadler is on the cover, but it has been two years since he has been really competitive, yet NASCAR 2007 has him listed with an A- rating. An adjustable driver rating would be a very trendy feature.

And last but not least- if EA Sports would wait until January or February to release their NASCAR games, the current version would not seem so archaic. Elliott Sadler endorses the product, yet he no longer drivers the M&M's Ford Fusion, which is depicted on the cover. He has replaced Jeremy Mayfield in the 19 Dodge, and of course, the game has Mayfield in the 19 Dodge.

And next year, drivers such as Casey Mears, Brian Vickers, Dale Jarrett, and Jeremy Mayfield will be in different cars. Would it not make more sense to wait until the new year to release the NASCAR game, instead of releasing right smack dab in the middle of the season? I don't see EA Sports releasing MADDEN NFL in November.

Oh yeah, and please include all full-time Nextel Cup drivers. In 2005, Jeremy Mayfield was missing in action, and in 2007, Carl Edwards, Ken Schrader, and Clint Bowyer are no where to be found.

EA Sports needs to realize that the same people who buy their NASCAR games each year are serious gamers. They want the most realistic product available. Please give it to them!