Revisiting NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona

Today we take a look back at one of the best NASCAR games of all-time, NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona. Developed by Monster Games and published by Infogrames, this game holds the distinction of being one of the best NASCAR console games that was not made by EA Sports. Dirt to Daytona released back in 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo GameCube. I personally grew up with the GameCube version and that's the version that I revisited in this video. This game has a certain fun factor that modern NASCAR games are just missing, and while there are some NASCAR games that have aged better than Dirt to Daytona, this game is one that you can come back to at any time and still enjoy it.
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#NASCAR #NintendoGameCube #MarkLeiffer

[@Suburban-United]

Lol, watching Dave Blaney struggle to talk you through the track he'd get his only Nascar win at is hysterical.🤣

[@murilocatureba6975]

I remember that in this game i managed to go 300 mph with the super draft, fly over the ENTIRE FIELD and do a sick barrel roll, completely glitching the replay out.

[@RTPJu]

The "build your rep" rule works with this game's AI. If you keep bashing them, they will get more aggressive towards you. This is my favorite sixth gen console race sim by far. Used to play it 100% length races (best way to see how good was this AI for the time, changing it's pace depending on the racing situation and giving you the impression that each driver is trying to push his own strategy over the grid), full difficulty and realism. It wort the try. Maybe DtD still have the best career mode ever and I wish that someday a good simulator do something at least close to that (Automobilista 2 has the chance), but have not much hope. Cheers!

[@splash4567]

One thing I like in this game are its Fantasy Drivers, their paint schemes look really sick. Shame that we can't drive any of them in the Cup Series.

[@Dat-Mudkip]

12:36 I always wondered why Bristol in NASCAR Heat 2002 (made by the same company) felt so much steeper than other NASCAR games. Guess that explains that. I also wish more racing games in general had random failures. I recall in NR2002/NR2003 you could lose a gear in the middle of a race. (I believe it was intentionality coded to ensure you never lost fourth, but it was still a nice addition!)

[@WoddCar]

Turning cheats on and going to talladega to cause huge wrecks is one of my favorite things to do, I once managed to cause a crash so big my car went flying like 300 feet in the air over the fence and promptly reset itself

[@TylerTMG]

Lmao

[@TylerTMG]

@damarfadlan9251 fun >:3

[@ThunderMS34]

This game was ahead of its time.

[@mikewhite9358]

I know it. If it had modern graphics it would be the best nascar game probably

[@TheSaturdaySpot]

JESUS LOVES YOU AND IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN@@mikewhite9358

[@Goodstegosaurus]

Releasing this on my lunch break (I'm in the UK so it's like 12:30 here now) is a blessing! Thank you Mark

[@doubleutubefan5]

I love how we never questioned back in the day as kids the camera angle that lets you sit inside the engine compartment and see the frame rails with an invisible body. Try that with iRacing today and people will throw a fit

[@CMR21]

The moment where Mark became Robby was at 14:31

[@drumline17]

This game was definitely balanced around the dirt to daytona mode, I don't remember having many if any good single race experiences. That mode was so good though

[@pirate772009]

Dirt to Daytona is the ultimate NASCAR party game. I got it for my 12th birthday and it was the first game to come out every time I had friends over. It honestly still comes out every time I hang out with the one friend I have left from high school lol. It was so much fun lowering the difficulty and turning the damage off to do a 200+ lap race at Bristol or going to Michigan or California and driving backwards 😂😂 Another one of my favorite things was how the only numbers you could use for your custom cars in Cup were between 100 and 199 if it wasn't already being used by one of the fictional NPC drivers so I used to try to copy their paint schemes and pick the next number to make a team car for the NPCs

[@UltimateDominion]

Speaking of Kenyan in dirt series, there is a really crazy glitch, near 1:14, although it may not be the exact area, there are walls that you can drive through that you can get in the infield, you can even score laps in there for some crazy fast lap times, it made me wish the dirt series had some sort of demolition derby and figure 8 mode lol

[@iluvtv2]

Best 40 mins spent in a long time. I played this game as a kid and loved it. Hope that D2D Career mode video comes to fruition.

[@Firealone9]

The game was definitely janky, buggy, and seemed unfinished in places, but you really could not find better Nascar racing on console. The A.I and driving physics were so good. Not to mention the excellent career mode. Definitely one of the best Nascar games ever made.

[@PaperBanjo64]

I have had several amazing battles for position that lasted lap after lap in this game, and multi groove racing actually works on most 1.5 and 2 mile ovals.

[@Caspercab]

Ted Fingers was my favorite cup driver but I personally think his brother was better. But tbh none can come close to Noel Fingers

[@SomeUsernameSomeoneElseTookIt]

Kid named

[@TylerTMG]

​@@SomeUsernameSomeoneElseTookItAYO THATS SUS

[@AngryGamer1224]

I always hated racing against Ted Fingers in the Dirt Series. Very annoying guy. Always wrecked him when I could. *"Ted probably likes to stick his fingers in his ass-"* - Me, sometime this week

[@wxracer23]

Freddie

[@TheSaturdaySpot]

@@wxracer23 JESUS LOVES YOU AND IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN

[@HELLOEARTH1MILLION]

I am waiting for NR Thunder 2004 Career S2.I cant wait for the Jeff Gordon Tomfoolery

[@justinturley7071]

Just bought this game today, and started playing it. It actually is a great game, the cars feel lighter than the EA games, but they do feel good, and you get used to the driving physics pretty easily. It is a breath of fresh air after playing the EA games, and you could definitely see the love they give NASCAR and Dirt track in this game. I can only imagine what a sequel would’ve been like, had EA not got the exclusive license.

[@mattlincoln6845]

Holy hell man your commentary is pure gold I'm here spitting my coffee out. One game I really miss is nascar 03 for computer by papyrus games omg that game was good.

[@the-gas-station]

This was my favorite as a kid because I could wreck the whole field and never get a caution. 1st by default! 😂😂

[@APrimusHokie]

Yeah after watching Windvow8820 Dick piston dirt to Daytona series I remember this game rarely gives out yellow flags 😂

[@turbokart3776]

32:42 All I have to ask right now is this: WHY does NEW HAMPSHIRE, of all things, have banking in this game? Man, these devs really did not have a clue what they were doing in terms of track design lol 😂 Edit: AND MARTINSVILLE?! 😂😂😂

[@RiverARD-Racing]

Those dirt cars looked more like pure stocks or bombers from today

[@DarkOblivion09]

New to NASCAR, but a big time racing game fan. I've been binging your content and have loved everything. Keep going!

[@steelvenom330]

0:55 There's a similar glitch at Homestead where you can drive around in the infield. You have to go around to the end of the tire barriers on pit exit in turn 2. And slowly drive the wrong way into the tires, and you'll sort of tunnel your way through and eventually glitch into the infield.

[@SparkzCola48]

I would do that all the time lol

[@jaysho5461]

Incase you didn't know this game has a Prequel. Its Test Drive: Eve of Destruction. Same devs, same engkne, and even some of the same drivers from the dirt series like Kato and Fazioli. Incase you ever wondere how you got the money to own a dirt track car - its from the winnings from the eve series.

[@TheMur28]

17:15 lol at the spotter telling you to “hold your line” while you’re getting squished by one car on the inside and two outside, as if you had any options other than to hold your line.

[@FayeHunter]

Watched this last night, didnt have time to comment, but yet again, some incredible one liners in this. Entertaining as always. Love it.

[@r3tr0sp3ct3r]

My all time favorite nascar game

[@nathancausby4406]

I went to several races at Bristol before the track was resurfaced in 2007. It was at least 32 degrees of banking back then and I would argue it was 36 in some places. It was practically straight up and down. You couldn't stand on it back then without going down to your butt or holding on to the fence. When they resurfaced it in 2007 they took several degrees of banking out

[@paer76]

incredible how this game is a reskin of viper racing same tech but Nascar i love it

[@PaperBanjo64]

Before the season started this year I raced a full distance Daytona 500 as The King Richard Petty at 101% difficulty.

[@WelziFC7]

Gamecube era NASCAR games are untouched as the greatest era for nascar games

[@justinturley7071]

I wonder why a sequel wasn’t made? Mind you, this game came out in 2002, so this was before EA got the exclusive rights, because NR2003 came out the same year that NASCAR Thunder 2004 came out in 2003.

[@PaperBanjo64]

I wish a sequel did come out

[@NottherealKyleLarson]

38:35 the least violent Ryan Newman wreck

[@insignificantother4194]

I had a gut feeling that you were going to upload again. Never played this game before and I think I'll buy it and give it a go.

[@ShadowOfCicero]

You clearly drive better than I do, but I do remember one tuning trick. The limit on oil temperature is 220. If you're not riding the edge of it, more tape.

[@mk.b.1309]

I played this game when I was younger and this gave me so much nostalgia, thank you Mark!

[@TheMur28]

17:15 lol at the spotter telling you to “hold your line” while you’re getting squished by a car on each side, as if you had any options other than to hold your line.

[@youfillmylifewithjello6661]

There’s that familiar voice!

[@ryanward2855]

I think at some point (I know other projects like the NASCAR thunder 2004 career mode are more important atm) you should mess around with career mode in NASCAR 08. The madness that would ensue along with your comedy would be poetic.

[@vaxiit]

How did i not see this in my feed 9 days ago?! HOW! Cmon YT i love this guy!

[@Kyle6OH]

Still my favorite nascar game to this day

[@namemcnamerton4249]

This game is 90% great, the only complaint is that the wheelen cars are absolutely horrendous.

[@Sceptilean]

Kenton(or kenyon whichever it is) also has spots you can drive into the infield and screw around

[@coolboyiscape]

This was worth the wait, love the vids!

[@leethecomedian]

I always thought it would be cool if you could raise the NASCAR's on the dirt and modified tracks. Pry the only complaint I had. It also added ability to skip caution laps and get back to green.

[@leethecomedian]

Race*

[@jerky_pal6746]

Love your videos!! Super excited for season 2 of the NASCAR Thunder 2004 Career! You definitely deserve more Subscribers!

[@AricAlmiroli]

Love this channel! This is some of the best gameplay content ever. I love it! From one KZbinr to another. You’re goated! 🥓🏁

[@Xethron91]

I miss those goofy cheat codes in games, imagine the horn mortar in a modern NASCAR game lol.

[@FayeHunter]

Ah I just researched this with my husband and he found your one liners just as damn funny as I do. Love your work. 🎉🏎️

[@FayeHunter]

Research?? Auto correct wtf you doing?! I REWATCHED it, twice now.

[@bungieman2810]

It sucks that there's no Busch Series or complete rosters.

[@PaperBanjo64]

Honestly the Trucks roster was better than any of EA's Truck Series selections, and they actually have manufacturer bodies which EA never had.

[@nicogf99]

Awesome video Mark, you should just "Keep it together" haha

[@SparkzCola48]

Who I played as in all the series: Cup: 7 Casey Atwood (i use to always play as Ward Burton) Truck: 248 Larry Tate or 224 Michael Ratner Mods: 302 J Justin or Custom Car Dirt: 444 Al Grimstead or Custom car Tracks: Cup: Talladega Or Daytona Truck: Same as Cup Mods: idk Dirt: Kenyon (I love going in the parking lot as well)

[@ItsRevival]

Your commentary is hilarious, made the vid for me

[@koldwater1479]

No one does nascar videos like you so fucking funny

[@TDSVaxis]

The best NASCAR game ever made

[@wilsonb1121]

Just found your channel. Awesome stuff man

[@TomoG4ch4_Alan94]

37:11, the biggest one turned to chaos

[@thedemogamer6595]

Woo woo! Excited to watch this!

[@frankbo25]

I loved this game

[@marcusferrier6587]

This was my favorite on ps2

[@brady8429]

This game needs a remaster !!

[@kennethdarnell4885]

Best racing game of all time

[@jeffreyclifton9928]

I would LOVE to play this again. Where the hell can I find it?

[@MarkLeiffer]

In my case I used an actual copy of the game to make the disc image and use it in Dolphin. But there's always the web archive.

[@wolfo1931]

Dick Blaha! What a legend.

[@jeffro24]

2:40 "sintripital force"

[@WheresMyLeader]

Try playing nascar rumble

[@brendanschuett]

Yyeah i have also had replays break

[@PaperBanjo64]

This game has some weird difficulty balancing...maxed out dirt car at 101% is impossible to run good, modifieds at Dennison is doable but some tracks impossible. Cup at 101% is perfect.

[@Elicurren]

Best NASCAR game ever!

[@SJTGirl-vx6wf]

You are hilarious. Subscribed.

[@smallmaxo9659]

Let’s go!!

[@CaptPatrick01]

4:00 Test Drive: Eve of Destruction reused this game engine, so technically not wrong.

[@jt5782]

Gotta love super draft 😂😂😂

[@mr.pinckney]

You need to get the hd texture pack for this game.

[@borninpennsylvania3908]

Leiffer man hwats the best modern nascar game? (heat 5 ignition etc)

[@MarkLeiffer]

If you're going to play one of the recent ones, Heat 5 probably is your best bet because it is playable.

[@TAMPAglen5]

Are there any updates for this game? Or good editors to change the driver names and numbers?

[@MarkLeiffer]

There is some texture updates out there to use in the Dolphin emulator. I don't think there's any way to actually edit in-game names and stuff like that yet.

[@TAMPAglen5]

@@MarkLeiffer argh! I used to edit NASCAR Heat for PC. I had the WinRes tools to unpack the RES files. I was hoping someone made them for this.

[@thatonebackgroundcharacter2194]

So glad to see this in my feed super early, I really hope this channel grows! Keep up the amazing work! :D

[@justinturley7071]

Could you elaborate just how different the driving physics are compared to EA’s arcade physics. Having never played any PS2 NASCAR Heat games, how different are they? Side note: the only non EA NASCAR game i ever played, was the abomination NASCAR Heat PS1.

[@MarkLeiffer]

Sorry for the late response here but the PS2 Heat games feel a little more floaty, and not in a bad way. Physics wise it feels much more like a sim that way. The best experience you can really have with it is NASCAR Heat on PC.

[@leethecomedian]

I don't think the dirt and modified had caution flags

[@PaperBanjo64]

They didn't

[@A_river_dirt_cheese]

30:38 what is he on?

[@Lesposito25]

How did you play this

[@mistertheking]

Most games from that era don't hold up, this is one of them that really doesn't. The AI are flawed, tracks are inaccurate, challenges are either too easy or too hard, the physics are goofy. However, there's some good stuff in here, the career mode is fun, the unlockables are fun to mess with, and while the challenges are goofy, it's something to do. It's basically what a decent PS2 racing game looked like back then. However, you compare this to NASCAR Thunder 2003 or NASCAR Thunder 2004, and you see why it doesn't stand up very well vs those titles. It's just nowhere near as well polished or well made as those two titles. Most people these days want Monster Games to come back to doing NASCAR games for not just a 2nd time, but a 3rd time. The 2nd time was a joke, and anyone who tells you that those titles were good are just jaded by NASCAR Ignition being a flop. If they get the license back I can't imagine a world where it's much better than this.

[@johndavid3621]

Have you tried their World of Outlaws game?

[@mistertheking]

@@johndavid3621 I haven't since iRacing is too scared to release it for PC.

[@FeedTheSpeed]

See you in another month lol

[@MarkLeiffer]

I better not get sick again. It might not have been bad but it sure was a nuisance.

[@FeedTheSpeed]

@@MarkLeiffer all good mark. Just joking around about how I see a new video, think to myself maybe I've been missing content. Then see it's been a month and nope lol keep up the good content

[@mitchhoward9181]

Nascar 2003 career mode is bad.

[@rmitchell1]

This game was only good for the dirt racing. Nascar Thunder was so much better it's not even close

[@TheSaturdaySpot]

JESUS LOVES YOU AND IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN

[@imdumb75]

he kinda sounds like a ai bot sometimes

[@justinturley7071]

Could you elaborate just how different the driving physics are compared to EA’s arcade physics. Having never played any PS2 NASCAR Heat games, how different are they? Side note: the only non EA NASCAR game i ever played, was the abomination NASCAR Heat PS1.