# NASCAR Heat 5 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/NASCAR_Heat_5 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/NASCAR_Heat_5.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR_Heat_5 > Source revision: 1323899706 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 2020 racing video game 2020 video game NASCAR Heat 5 Cover art featuring Chase Elliott Developer 704Games Publisher Motorsport Games Series NASCAR Heat Engine Unity Platforms PlayStation 4 Windows Xbox One Nintendo Switch Release July 10, 2020[a] Genre Racing Modes Single-player, multiplayer ***NASCAR Heat 5*** is a [racing video game](/source/Racing_video_game) simulating the [2020 NASCAR Cup Series](/source/2020_NASCAR_Cup_Series), [2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series](/source/2020_NASCAR_Xfinity_Series), [2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series](/source/2020_NASCAR_Gander_RV_%26_Outdoors_Truck_Series), and [2022 NASCAR Cup Series](/source/2022_NASCAR_Cup_Series), it was developed by [704Games](/source/704Games) and was published by [Motorsport Games](/source/Motorsport_Games) on July 10, 2020, for [PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4), [Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One) and [Windows](/source/Windows) via [Steam](/source/Steam_(service)). [Chase Elliott](/source/Chase_Elliott) is the cover athlete for the standard edition, and [Tony Stewart](/source/Tony_Stewart) is the cover athlete for the Gold edition.[1] The game was delisted from digital storefronts on December 31, 2024, and online servers were shut down on August 1, 2025.[2][3] ## Gameplay Other than a new single-player track testing mode, gameplay remained largely the same as its predecessor, *[NASCAR Heat 4](/source/NASCAR_Heat_4)*.[4] Minor tweaks to pit stops, the paint booth and in-race retirements (DNF) were also introduced.[5] ## Racing series featured Racing Series Name No. of Drivers No. of Tracks 2020 NASCAR Cup Series 75 (1 part-timer, 32 NASCAR Heat Pro League Drivers, 40 NCS Drivers, 2 Legacy Drivers (Comes With Gold Edition)) 31 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series 45 (7-part time cars, 38 NXS Drivers) 31 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series 35 (3-part-time trucks, 32 NCWTS Drivers) 32 Xtreme Dirt Tour (Fantasy League) 24 12 ## Soundtrack 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](/source/Monster_Games) develop the first four installments of the rebooted *NASCAR Heat* series, publisher [704Games](/source/704Games) took over development and handed publishing over to [Motorsport Games](/source/Motorsport_Network#Motorsport_Games).[5] *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.[1] Along with the early release date, the Gold Edition includes bonus spotter voices, paint schemes and career mode opportunities.[6] Additional [downloadable content](/source/Downloadable_content) packs were also announced with the release of the game.[7] A [Nintendo Switch](/source/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](/source/2021_NASCAR_Cup_Series) season.[8] ### Next Gen cars Due to the poor reception of *[NASCAR 21: Ignition](/source/NASCAR_21%3A_Ignition)*, Motorsport Games announced their intentions to return to *Heat 5* for future DLC.[9] The firm announced the introduction of [Next Gen Cars](/source/Next_Gen_(NASCAR)) 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](/source/Twitter), stated their intention to provide a much more stable experience.[10] 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.[11] Over this period, fans had created a mod for the game that adds the 2023 paint schemes.[12] 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.[13] ## Reception Reception Aggregate score Aggregator Score Metacritic 59/100[14] Review scores Publication Score SportsGamersOnline 7.25/10[15] PC Invasion 5.5/10[16] Forbes 7.5/10[17] Hardcore Gamer 3.5/5[18] Before its release, *Heat 5* was criticized for focusing on minor changes instead of addressing major issues that previous *Heat* titles had. Developer [704Games](/source/704Games) claimed that the approach was due to limitations of legacy code that the game was built on.[19] ## Notes 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Gold Edition released three days prior on July 7, 2020. ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Motorsport_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Motorsport_2-1) Utter, Jim (May 6, 2020). ["NASCAR Heat 5 set to launch two editions in July"](https://www.motorsport.com/gaming/news/nascar-heat-5-july-launch/4788803/). *Motorsport*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201118100215/https://www.motorsport.com/gaming/news/nascar-heat-5-july-launch/4788803/) from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Middler, Jordan (December 1, 2024). ["All NASCAR video games are being delisted from digital stores next month"](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/all-nascar-video-games-are-being-delisted-from-digital-stores-next-month/). *Video Games Chronicle*. Retrieved October 8, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Fields, Sarah (July 5, 2025). ["NASCAR Heat Servers Are Shutting Down"](https://gamerant.com/nascar-heat-servers-shutting-down-when-why/). *Game Rant*. Retrieved October 8, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** McCaffrey, Ryan (May 5, 2020). ["NASCAR Heat 5 Announced"](https://www.ign.com/articles/nascar-heat-5-announced). *IGN*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201118100236/https://www.ign.com/articles/nascar-heat-5-announced) from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GI_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GI_6-1) Kato, Matthew (May 6, 2020). ["NASCAR Heat 5 Makes Pit Road Adjustments"](https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-makes-pit-road-adjustments). *GameInformer*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200509104100/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-makes-pit-road-adjustments) from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Payant, John (May 6, 2020). ["NASCAR News: NASCAR Heat 5 released in July with legend Stewart bonus content"](https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/149313/nascar-heat-5-to-include-legend-stewart). *Autosport*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200506194118/https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/149313/nascar-heat-5-to-include-legend-stewart) from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["NASCAR Heat 5 Is Coming"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200513160932/http://www.psnation.com/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-is-coming/). *PSNation*. May 6, 2020. Archived from [the original](https://www.psnation.com/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-is-coming/) on May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Melillo, Justin (2021-10-09). ["GAMESNASCAR Heat Ultimate Edition+ on Nintendo Switch found via Amazon listing"](https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-ultimate-edition-on-nintendo-switch-found-via-amazon-listing/). *Traxxion.gg*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211009153907/https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-ultimate-edition-on-nintendo-switch-found-via-amazon-listing/) from the original on 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2021-10-10. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Harrison-Lord, Thomas (October 7, 2022). ["NASCAR Heat 5's 2022 NASCAR Cup Series DLC launches 21st October"](https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-nascar-cup-series-dlc-launches-21st-october/). *traxion.gg*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230514170329/https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-nascar-cup-series-dlc-launches-21st-october/) from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Harrison-Lord, Thomas (October 14, 2022). ["NASCAR Heat 5's 2022 update delayed, price reduced"](https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-update-delayed-price-reduced/). *traxion.gg*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230513061228/https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-update-delayed-price-reduced/) from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Harrison-Lord, Thomas (May 12, 2023). ["NASCAR Heat 5's 2022 next-gen DLC is coming in 'days'"](https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-next-gen-dlc-is-coming-in-days/). *traxion.gg*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230513061227/https://traxion.gg/nascar-heat-5s-2022-next-gen-dlc-is-coming-in-days/) from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Lipowski, Joshua (June 14, 2023). ["New 2023 Mod Available for *NASCAR Heat 5*"](https://dailydownforce.com/new-2023-mod-available-for-nascar-heat-5/). *The Daily Downforce*. Retrieved June 30, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Lipowski, Joshua (June 23, 2023). ["Everything that Went Wrong with *NASCAR Heat 5*'s New DLC"](https://dailydownforce.com/everything-that-went-wrong-with-nascar-heat-5s-new-dlc/). *The Daily Downforce*. Retrieved June 30, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-MCRev_15-0)** Metacritic staff. ["NASCAR Heat 5 reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-heat-5/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200822102424/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/nascar-heat-5) from the original on 2020-08-22. Retrieved 2014-03-06. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-SportsGamersOnlineRev_16-0)** Straw, Michael (2020-07-07). ["NASCAR Heat 5 Review: Finishing Strong"](http://www.sportsgamersonline.com/nascar-heat-5-review/). *SportsGamersOnline*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200806012933/http://www.sportsgamersonline.com/nascar-heat-5-review/) from the original on 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2020-07-31. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-PCInvasion_17-0)** Perry, Kurt (2020-07-13). ["NASCAR Heat 5 review — The art of turning left"](https://www.pcinvasion.com/nascar-heat-5-review/). *PCInvasion*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200806221603/https://www.pcinvasion.com/nascar-heat-5-review/) from the original on 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2020-07-31. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Forbes_18-0)** Mazique, Brian (2020-07-08). ["NASCAR Heat 5 Review: Steady, Consistent And Safe"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2020/07/08/nascar-heat-5-review-steady-consistent-and-safe/). *Forbes*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200808125209/https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2020/07/08/nascar-heat-5-review-steady-consistent-and-safe/) from the original on 2020-08-08. Retrieved 2020-07-31. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-HardcoreGamer_19-0)** Wells, Cory (2020-07-09). ["Review: NASCAR Heat 5"](https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/07/09/review-nascar-heat-5/382596/). *Hardcore Gamer*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200806065350/https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/07/09/review-nascar-heat-5/382596/) from the original on 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2020-07-31. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Kato, Matthew (May 6, 2020). ["What's In Store For The Future Of NASCAR Heat"](https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/05/06/whats-in-store-for-the-future-of-nascar-heat). *GameInformer*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200509104107/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/05/06/whats-in-store-for-the-future-of-nascar-heat) from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020. ## External links - [Official website](http://www.nascarheat.com/) v t e NASCAR video games 1980s Richard Petty's Talladega 1990s Days of Thunder (1990) Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge ESPN SpeedWorld Kyle Petty's No Fear Racing Racing Racing 2 98 3-D Ultra Pinball 99 Challenge Racing 1999 Edition Revolution Road Racing Racing 3 2000 Legends 2000s Rumble 2001 Heat Racers Arcade Racing 4 Thunder 2002 Heat 2002 Racing 2002 Season Thunder 2003 Dirt to Daytona Racing 2003 Season Thunder 2004 2005: Chase for the Cup SimRacing 06: Total Team Control 07 08 EA Sports NASCAR Racing iRacing 09 Kart Racing 2010s Gran Turismo 5 Days of Thunder (2011) The Game: 2011 Unleashed The Game: Inside Line Gran Turismo 6 '14 '15 Heat Evolution Forza Motorsport 6 Heat 2 Project CARS 2 Forza Motorsport 7 Heat 3 Heat 4 2020s Heat 5 Ultimate Edition+ 21: Ignition Rivals 25 Series NASCAR Racing EA Sports NASCAR NASCAR The Game NASCAR Heat (2016–2020) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [NASCAR Heat 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR_Heat_5) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR_Heat_5?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.