{{short description|2020 racing video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = NASCAR Heat 5 | collapsible = | state = | image = Nascar Heat 5 Cover Art.jpg | caption = Cover art featuring [[Chase Elliott]] | developer = [[704Games]] | publisher = [[Motorsport Network#Motorsport Games|Motorsport Games]] | series = [[NASCAR Heat (series)|NASCAR Heat]] | engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] | platforms = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]}} | released = July 10, 2020{{efn|Gold Edition released three days prior on July 7, 2020.}} | genre = [[Racing video game|Racing]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] }} '''''NASCAR Heat 5''''' is a [[racing video game]] simulating the [[2020 NASCAR Cup Series]], [[2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series]], [[2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series]], and [[2022 NASCAR Cup Series]], it was developed by [[704Games]] and was published by [[Motorsport Games]] on July 10, 2020, for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]] and [[Windows]] via [[Steam (service)|Steam]]. [[Chase Elliott]] is the cover athlete for the standard edition, and [[Tony Stewart]] is the cover athlete for the Gold edition.<ref name="Motorsport">{{cite web |last1=Utter |first1=Jim |title=NASCAR Heat 5 set to launch two editions in July |url=https://www.motorsport.com/gaming/news/nascar-heat-5-july-launch/4788803/ |website=Motorsport |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118100215/https://www.motorsport.com/gaming/news/nascar-heat-5-july-launch/4788803/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was delisted from digital storefronts on December 31, 2024, and online servers were shut down on August 1, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Middler |first=Jordan |date=December 1, 2024 |title=All NASCAR video games are being delisted from digital stores next month |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/all-nascar-video-games-are-being-delisted-from-digital-stores-next-month/ |access-date=October 8, 2025 |website=Video Games Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fields |first=Sarah |date=July 5, 2025 |title=NASCAR Heat Servers Are Shutting Down |url=https://gamerant.com/nascar-heat-servers-shutting-down-when-why/ |access-date=October 8, 2025 |website=Game Rant}}</ref>
==Gameplay== Other than a new single-player track testing mode, gameplay remained largely the same as its predecessor, ''[[NASCAR Heat 4]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCaffrey |first1=Ryan |title=NASCAR Heat 5 Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nascar-heat-5-announced |website=IGN |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118100236/https://www.ign.com/articles/nascar-heat-5-announced |url-status=live }}</ref> Minor tweaks to pit stops, the paint booth and in-race retirements (DNF) were also introduced.<ref name="GI" />
== Racing series featured == {| class="wikitable" |+ ! Racing Series Name ! No. of Drivers ! No. of Tracks |- |[[2020 NASCAR Cup Series]] |75 (1 part-timer, 32 NASCAR Heat Pro League Drivers, 40 [[NASCAR Cup Series|NCS]] Drivers, 2 Legacy Drivers (Comes With Gold Edition)) |31 |- |[[2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series]] |45 (7-part time cars, 38 [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|NXS]] Drivers) |31 |- |[[2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series]] |35 (3-part-time trucks, 32 [[NASCAR Camping World Truck Series|NCWTS]] Drivers) |32 |- |Xtreme Dirt Tour (Fantasy League) |24 |12 |}
==Soundtrack== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Song !Artist |- |Again & Again |Fire Fences |- |Earthquake |Matthew Szlachetka |- |HEAT |Avoid |- |Keep the Car Running |[[Andrew Leahey]] |- |Late Bloomer |Brett Wiscons |- |Let's Go Out Tonight |Bradley Wik and the Charlatans |- |Long Year |Steve Everett |- |Never Love You |Steve Everett |- |Pay Day |Fire Fences |- |Song About James |Avoid |- |We're Gonna Be OK |Hey Monea |}
==Development and release== After having [[Monster Games]] develop the first four installments of the rebooted ''NASCAR Heat'' series, publisher [[704Games]] took over development and handed publishing over to [[Motorsport Network#Motorsport Games|Motorsport Games]].<ref name="GI">{{cite web |last1=Kato |first1=Matthew |title=NASCAR Heat 5 Makes Pit Road Adjustments |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-makes-pit-road-adjustments |website=GameInformer |access-date=May 7, 2020 |date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=May 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509104100/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-makes-pit-road-adjustments |url-status=live }}</ref> ''NASCAR Heat 5'' was released on July 7, 2020, for those who pre-ordered the Gold Edition; standard copies of the game were released on July 10.<ref name="Motorsport" /> Along with the early release date, the Gold Edition includes bonus spotter voices, paint schemes and career mode opportunities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Payant |first1=John |title=NASCAR News: NASCAR Heat 5 released in July with legend Stewart bonus content |url=https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/149313/nascar-heat-5-to-include-legend-stewart |website=Autosport |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506194118/https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/149313/nascar-heat-5-to-include-legend-stewart |url-status=live }}</ref> Additional [[downloadable content]] packs were also announced with the release of the game.<ref>{{cite web |title=NASCAR Heat 5 Is Coming |url=https://www.psnation.com/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-is-coming/ |website=PSNation |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=May 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513160932/http://www.psnation.com/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-is-coming/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
A [[Nintendo Switch]] port called ''NASCAR Heat Ultimate Edition+'' was quietly listed on Amazon in October 2021, and was released on November 19, 2021. In addition to 2020 content, it also includes drivers and primary paint schemes from the [[2021 NASCAR Cup Series]] season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Melillo |first1=Justin |title=GAMESNASCAR Heat Ultimate Edition+ on Nintendo Switch found via Amazon listing |url=https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-ultimate-edition-on-nintendo-switch-found-via-amazon-listing/ |website=Traxxion.gg |access-date=2021-10-10 |date=2021-10-09 |archive-date=2021-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009153907/https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-ultimate-edition-on-nintendo-switch-found-via-amazon-listing/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Next Gen cars=== Due to the poor reception of ''[[NASCAR 21: Ignition]]'', Motorsport Games announced their intentions to return to ''Heat 5'' for future DLC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-nascar-cup-series-dlc-launches-21st-october/|title=NASCAR Heat 5's 2022 NASCAR Cup Series DLC launches 21st October|last=Harrison-Lord|first=Thomas|website=traxion.gg|date=October 7, 2022|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514170329/https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-nascar-cup-series-dlc-launches-21st-october/|url-status=live}}</ref> The firm announced the introduction of [[Next Gen (NASCAR)|Next Gen Cars]] and their respective driver lineup in downloadable content for the game, updating it for the 2022 season. Unlike its successor ''NASCAR 21: Ignition'', the DLC is not free and would initially be priced at $12.34 before being lowered to $9.99 following a delay. Motorsport Games, in a statement posted to [[Twitter]], stated their intention to provide a much more stable experience.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-update-delayed-price-reduced/|title=NASCAR Heat 5's 2022 update delayed, price reduced|last=Harrison-Lord|first=Thomas|website=traxion.gg|date=October 14, 2022|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513061228/https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-update-delayed-price-reduced/|url-status=live}}</ref> After a period where no updates were shared, the team eventually shared their plans to release the 2022 cars during the month of May 2023, after the 2022 season had already concluded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-next-gen-dlc-is-coming-in-days/|title=NASCAR Heat 5's 2022 next-gen DLC is coming in 'days'|last=Harrison-Lord|first=Thomas|website=traxion.gg|date=May 12, 2023|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513061227/https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-next-gen-dlc-is-coming-in-days/|url-status=live}}</ref> Over this period, fans had created a mod for the game that adds the 2023 paint schemes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailydownforce.com/new-2023-mod-available-for-nascar-heat-5/|title=New 2023 Mod Available for ''NASCAR Heat 5''|last=Lipowski|first=Joshua|website=The Daily Downforce|date=June 14, 2023|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref>
The DLC would eventually be released on June 22, 2023 on all platforms; it received negative reviews due to fan dissatisfaction with the management of current publisher Motorsport Games, lack of new tracks added for the 2022 season, bugs, loss of player progress, and due to the 2022 season being outdated as of the DLC's release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailydownforce.com/everything-that-went-wrong-with-nascar-heat-5s-new-dlc/|title=Everything that Went Wrong with ''NASCAR Heat 5''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s New DLC|last=Lipowski|first=Joshua|website=The Daily Downforce|date=June 23, 2023|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews <!--Formatting--> | state = <!--plain/collapsible--> | align = <!--left/right/none/inherit--> <!-- Aggregators --> | MC = 59/100<ref name=MCRev>{{cite web| url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-heat-5/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4| title=NASCAR Heat 5 reviews| author=Metacritic staff| work=[[Metacritic]]| accessdate=2014-03-06| archive-date=2020-08-22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822102424/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/nascar-heat-5| url-status=live}}</ref> <!-- Reviewers --> <!-- Custom aggregators limit is set to 10 --> <!-- Custom Reviewers limit is set to 10--> | rev1 = SportsGamersOnline | rev1Score = 7.25/10<ref name=SportsGamersOnlineRev>{{cite web| url=http://www.sportsgamersonline.com/nascar-heat-5-review/| title=NASCAR Heat 5 Review: Finishing Strong| first=Michael| last=Straw| work=SportsGamersOnline| date=2020-07-07| accessdate=2020-07-31| archive-date=2020-08-06| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806012933/http://www.sportsgamersonline.com/nascar-heat-5-review/| url-status=live}}</ref> | rev2 = PC Invasion | rev2Score = 5.5/10<ref name=PCInvasion>{{cite web| url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/nascar-heat-5-review/| title=NASCAR Heat 5 review — The art of turning left| first=Kurt| last=Perry| work=PCInvasion| date=2020-07-13| accessdate=2020-07-31| archive-date=2020-08-06| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806221603/https://www.pcinvasion.com/nascar-heat-5-review/| url-status=live}}</ref> | rev3 = [[Forbes]] | rev3Score = 7.5/10<ref name=Forbes>{{cite web| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2020/07/08/nascar-heat-5-review-steady-consistent-and-safe/| title=NASCAR Heat 5 Review: Steady, Consistent And Safe| first=Brian| last=Mazique| work=Forbes| date=2020-07-08| accessdate=2020-07-31| archive-date=2020-08-08| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808125209/https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2020/07/08/nascar-heat-5-review-steady-consistent-and-safe/| url-status=live}}</ref> | rev4 = Hardcore Gamer | rev4Score = 3.5/5<ref name=HardcoreGamer>{{cite web| url=https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/07/09/review-nascar-heat-5/382596/| title=Review: NASCAR Heat 5| first=Cory| last=Wells| work=Hardcore Gamer| date=2020-07-09| accessdate=2020-07-31| archive-date=2020-08-06| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806065350/https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/07/09/review-nascar-heat-5/382596/| url-status=live}}</ref> <!-- Awards No limit --> }} Before its release, ''Heat 5'' was criticized for focusing on minor changes instead of addressing major issues that previous ''Heat'' titles had. Developer [[704Games]] claimed that the approach was due to limitations of legacy code that the game was built on.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kato |first1=Matthew |title=What's In Store For The Future Of NASCAR Heat |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/05/06/whats-in-store-for-the-future-of-nascar-heat |website=GameInformer |access-date=May 7, 2020 |date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=May 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509104107/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/05/06/whats-in-store-for-the-future-of-nascar-heat |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Notes== {{notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.nascarheat.com/}}
{{NASCAR video games|state=autocollapse}}
[[Category:2020 video games]] [[Category:Inactive multiplayer online games]] [[Category:NASCAR video games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:Racing video games]] [[Category:Split-screen multiplayer games]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Video games set in the United States]] [[Category:Video games set in Canada]] [[Category:Motorsport Games games]] [[Category:704Games games]] [[Category:Online games shut down in 2025]]