When there’s no NASCAR racing to watch, and you don't drive race cars yourself, then the best alternative is to play a racing video game. Thankfully there are dozens of truly brilliant car racing video games at the moment, with superior graphics, more realistic handling, and better cars than ever before. We're going to take a look at five of the best car racing games, from casual pick up and play, to more in-depth career mode games. So, buckle up, it's set to be a wild ride.

Forza Horizon 5

It makes sense to start off with perhaps the most beloved car racing series of all time, Forza. The fifth instalment takes place in Mexico, with a map that's considerably bigger than its predecessor, taking you into the backstreets of quiet Mexican villages, then out into the wide open desert and through sweeping canyons. This game is perfect for those who enjoy a little variety in their racing, with straight-up racing mode, co-op mode, campaigns, stunt mode, and the seasonal championship.

You can compete in just about any vehicle you could imagine, from a souped-up pick-up truck to a state-of-the-art racing machine. This is a game that will keep you busy for hundreds of hours with the many possibilities it presents.

Mad Cars

If you're looking for something that's a bit more pick-up-and-play than Forza then Mad Cars is a brilliant choice. Mad Cars is a simple slot game developed by Push Gaming. This game invites you to a post-apocalyptic, Mad Max style environment, where you’ll be invited to drive all kinds of wacky vehicles as you watch those reels spin. If you're into cars that are as much about looks as they are about performance then you'll love these spiky, punk-styled vehicles.

In terms of gameplay, expect a five reel slot, with an option to bet from $0.10 up to $100 per spin. This is a super volatile slot, with potential for big wins, but also dry streaks, making it as exciting and unpredictable as speeding through the desert in an armoured truck.

Wreckfest

Our next choice is less about racing and more about smashing cars up. Fans of demolition derbies will love Wreckfest, a breakthrough game for PS5. In this game, you'll be invited to smash, crash, and burn in the most realistic way possible thanks to its incredible true-to-life physics engine. Like Forza, there are several different modes to choose from, which makes for varied and exciting gameplay. Install your car with reinforced bumpers and roll cages, or get in a monster truck and smash things up. The choice is yours!

NASCAR Heat 5

We love a bit of NASCAR here at Not in Hall of Fame, so it was essential to give a mention to NASCAR Heat 5, the official racing game of NASCAR. You're invited behind the wheel in this game, something that's a dream for many of us. It's up to you to use all of your racing know-how to make it to the 2020 NASCAR Cup Champions podium. You can play as a member of all of the official teams and race on more than three dozen tracks.

Dirt Rally 2

Finally, Dirt Rally 2 is the perfect game for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. This game requires you to know everything there is to know about cars and racing. You'll need to pay attention to tracks like you won't have thought possible in a game before. Hairpin bends could spell disaster for you and your car if you aren't approaching things in the right gear and at the right speed. It's a serious racing game that serious racing fans will get hours of enjoyment from.

2024 Pre-Season Rank #109,  2023 Pre-Season Rank #126. Peak Period: 2020-24

In 2019, Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy and took LSU to the National Championship.  There was no doubt that he would go number one overall, and the Cincinnati Bengals have been blessed to have him.

After his rookie year, Burrow has arguably been a top-five NFL pivot, and as a sophomore, he brought the Bengals closer than they had ever been to capturing the Lombardi Trophy.  Last season, he was electric on a Cincinnati squad that had depth and defensive issues, and he led the NFL in Passing Yards (4,918) and Touchdowns (43) with only 9 Interceptions.  He was awarded the Comeback Player of the Year, and was fourth in MVP voting despite a 9-8 record.

The Bengals are one of the most intriguing teams entering 2025, but they will contend as long as Burrow is healthy.  If he is, expect another significant jump in this rank next year. 

2024 Pre-Season Rank #53, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #121. Peak Period: 2020-23*

And now he is a champion.

Jalen Hurts and the tush push brought the Philadelphia Eagles their second Super Bowl, and while he has only been in the NFL for five years, it feels like a long time coming.

Jalen Hurts was the runner-up for the 2019 Heisman, and there were a few questions that surrounded him in the following draft. There should not have been.  Hurts won the Bert Bell Award in 2022 and has an AV/G well over the MPA in his brief career, which, based on modern metrics, a QB needs to have to sniff Canton.  Hurts has the skills and talent around him to become the first Quarterback to rush for 100 Touchdowns (unless Josh Allen beats him to it), and this does not take into account his excellent passing skills.

Whenever a QB wins a Super Bowl, the Hall of Fame buzz accelerates, and the Eagles are a squad that could win several.  The scary thing is that Jalen is just entering his prime.

2024 Pre-Season Rank #66, 2023: Pre-Season Rank #93.  Peak Period 2019-23.

Orlando Brown begins his eighth season, his third in Cincinnati, where the Tackle will look to win his second Super Bowl (his first coming in Kansas City).  Brown had a four-year streak of Pro Bowls (2019-22), but his run with the Bengals has taken him off that upper tier of Tackles, though he is capable of returning to that level.