ɡˈeɪm pɹˈoʊ ɡˈeɪv ðə plˈeɪ stˈeɪʃən vˈɜːʒən ɐ fˈoːɹ.fˈaɪv ˌaʊɾəv fˈaɪv fɔːɹ ɡɹˈæfɪks ænd sˈaʊnd ænd ɐ pˈɜːfɛkt fˈaɪv.zˈiəɹoʊ fɔːɹ kəntɹˈoʊl ænd fˈʌn fˈæktɚ, kˈɑːmɛntɪŋ, "ðə pˌɑːpjʊlˈæɹᵻɾi ʌv nˈæskɑːɹ ɹˈeɪsɪŋ hɐz mˈʌʃɹuːmd ɪts nˈaʊ ˈoʊnli ɹˈaɪvəld baɪ ðɪ ˌɛnˌɛfˈɛl ænd ðɪs ɡˈeɪmz pˈaʊɚfəl kˌɑːmbᵻnˈeɪʃən ʌv slˈiːk ɡɹˈæfɪks, diːtˈeɪld fˈiːtʃɚz, ænd fˈɛndɚkɹˈʌmplɪŋ ˈækʃən wɪl sˈæɾɪsfˌaɪ ˌɛni sˈɪɹiəs ɹˈeɪs fˈæn.
GamePro gave the PlayStation version a 4.5 out of 5 for graphics and sound and a perfect 5.0 for control and fun factor, commenting, "The popularity of NASCAR racing has mushroomed - it's now only rivaled by the NFL - and this game's powerful combination of sleek graphics, detailed features, and fender-crumpling action will satisfy any serious race fan.