NASCAR fans have been buzzing about NASCAR 25 for months. Every teaser, every trailer has sparked debate. The hype has proven to be heating up as the release date of October 14th nears. Fans have been waiting since NASCAR 24 for improvements in realism, especially in how drivers are rated and how their in-game performance mirrors real-world stats. The game’s rating system uses real racing data, including finishing consistency, cornering, drafting, and late-race strategy. Even before an official release, fans have been debating possible ratings, and a recent leak has stirred up this very debate.

Driver ratings have always mattered. They shape who gets an edge in the game and who becomes a fan favorite online. Rumors about leaks have been swirling for weeks. Almost everyone wants their driver to top the charts. With NASCAR’s latest video, many think that the highest score is going to a certain Hendrick Motorsports driver nobody expected to see. This has led many to be dismissive of what’s about to come.

NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar accidentally shared a screenshot recently showing several driver ratings. The number one immediately caught attention. William Byron was listed at 100 OVR. In response, a Reddit post titled “Hocevar leaking some NASCAR 25 Driver Ratings!” quickly spread across the community. Fans immediately started questioning the rating. For the most part, this appeared to be too high, especially compared to other elite drivers like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson, both at 99. Even before any deeper analysis, the number itself sparked debate about whether Byron truly deserves a perfect score.

Byron’s 100 OVR is more than just a number. It signals how the game will portray him on every track. The rating raises questions about fairness and methodology. Many fans think it exaggerates his performance. The situation highlights the delicate balance the developers face in translating real-world skill into in-game numbers. With the release date approaching, the discussion is only set to grow, and the rating itself may be one of the season’s hottest topics.

Fans in disbelief over the NASCAR 25 ratings system

The moment the leak surfaced, fans immediately weighed in. Byron’s 100 OVR rating seemed disconnected from his on-track performance in 2025. The first reaction highlighted the skepticism about his results this season. One fan tweeted, “He wasn’t done anything this year since like April lmao.” This comment pointed to Byron’s perceived lack of impact in recent races. It suggested that many feel the rating does not reflect his actual achievements.

Another common sentiment questioned the credibility of the entire rating system. Compared to other game ratings, this didn’t align. “This is pure comedy. Took some legitimacy off the game already.” This reaction went beyond Byron himself. It highlighted how a single high rating can cast doubt on the fairness of the game. The fan implied that if the top score feels unearned, it diminishes confidence in how all drivers are evaluated.

Some fans went on to exaggerate that Byron’s rating might not have been entirely merit-based. Though it was said in humor, it highlighted a clear disbelief. As one commented, “Was Byron a consultant or something for this game? lol.” This playful take hinted at the idea that insider influence could be at play. It reflected the disbelief that a driver with mixed results could be given the game’s highest score.

While many dismissed it, some approached the rating analytically. They provided alternative assessments of Byron and other drivers. One fan argued, “More like a 92 or 93. They inflate the ratings across the board here… There should be like 5 guys ranked above 90 overall. Id say in no particular order Blaney, Larson, Bell, Hamlin, and Byron… Guys like Reddick, Elliott, and Logano should be a 90. Chastain and Briscoe somewhere between 89 to 86… Wallace, Bowman, Buescher should be in the 85 to 82 range. Then there’s like 10 guys id put in the 81 to 75 range. Everyone else is low 70s and 60s. Herbst in the 50s. Ware at like 49.” This detailed breakdown showed how some fans are engaging deeply with the data, attempting to rationalize the ratings.

Finally, there were reactions that were short but summed up the overall frustration around NASCAR 25. One simply stated, “Absolutely ridiculous…” This blunt reaction reflected how Byron’s 100 OVR has sparked an emotional response that goes beyond statistics or methodology. Fans are clearly divided, with the extreme rating leading to questions about the game itself.

Overall, these reactions show that fans have been deeply invested in how NASCAR 25 represents real-world drivers. Byron’s 100 will now also raise important questions about other aspects of the game in the coming days. After all, a number this high is bound to be controversial.