NASCAR 09 makes a number of adjustments to last year's bare bones experience, but still falls short of expectations.

The more noticeable of these improvements are the visuals. All of the major tracks are represented and recreated right down to the finest of details, most notably the lighting. The same goes for the cars, which feature all of the major sponsor markings and support realistic damage as you bump and crash (okay... maybe not crash) your way around the track. Compared to last year, it is as close to a massive overhaul as you could expect. At the same time, the game still lacks that little something extra to really bring everything together. Looking at other racing games out there, NASCAR 09 has a particular "gloss" about it that makes it look too much like a video game. It won't ruin the experience, but at the same time it may turn off a few players.

Taking a cue from Forza, NASCAR 09 features a paint shop mode that lets you design your car. It isn't as friendly as the system Forza uses, but it gives you a fair amount of freedom to design the stock car you always wanted, but could never afford. There's also a way to customize decals using any photo editing software on your PC. As cool as it sounds, the process is cumbersome and really not worth the time - especially since anyone not on your Friends List won't be able to see your creations.

Audio has never been a problem for the series, and NASCAR 09 keeps the tradition going. Country and rock tunes blast their way in the background while lively audience noise and roaring engines complement the on-track action.

Jeff Gordon is more than just a cover boy for NASCAR 09, he's a major part of the entire game and is nice enough to show you the ropes. Whether you're signing your first sponsor or learning how to drive with a team, Jeff is right there with you leading you through the entire experience. It's a neat feature, though it doesn't bring much to the experience other than a little extra visual pizzazz.

Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup serves as the game's career mode and takes you through an entire season of racing. Depending on how you perform, you'll earn reputation points; the better your reputation, the more sponsors will want a part of your team. Once a sponsor is signed, you'll have to complete certain race conditions in order to earn performance points that are spent on upgrades for your garage and car. Another way to earn performance points is by completing Sprint Driver Challenges that test individual driving skills such as drafting and passing.

You can also play in quick, single race events, Sprint races, Test & Tune races or a full season. Aside from a few minor differences, all of the race types involve the same style of gameplay. One of the bigger draws to these races is that you can play as any of the current NASCAR drivers, though you won't earn reputation points, so there's a bit of a trade off. The more enjoyable of the bunch are the Sprint Challenges, which are great for learning some of the more subtle aspects of the sport.

The online experience is just the single-player experience with more players. If you can get a good group, you'll have fun. Otherwise, it isn't anything special.

NASCAR 09 features two difficulty settings, Pro and Normal. The main difference between the two modes is how much control you have over car adjustments. Each gives you the option to tweak major elements of your car's setup, though Pro feels more like a simulation and offers complete control over ever facet of the game. Normal is the exact opposite; the experience has a more arcade feel and limits the number of adjustments you can make to the car.

During races you can adjust things a little more, such as setting whether or not yellow and black flags are used. Playing with no black flags does take some of the fun out of the game since you can't even casually tap another car without losing a lap.

Whether you choose Pro or Normal (I stuck mostly to Normal), the car handling is incredibly comfortable and responsive. I had a few issues with steering in last year's game, so it was great to see that even the smallest of adjustments gave the right amount of response. If things aren't running to your liking, you can also tweak your car's performance stats a bit.

The actual racing is pretty basic - you drive around a track. There's a bit of strategy to the whole thing, such as knowing how to draft and when to try and move up a position or two, but really, it gets pretty boring after about 30 laps. You'll also have to decide when to pit during a race, though the experience is just as exciting as driving around in circles. Pit stops are one of the more crucial parts of any race, so I'm not sure why EA hasn't added mini-games to play this up a bit. At the very least, add a few of those oh-so-popular quick time events.

While not nearly as bland as NASCAR 08, it's pretty clear that the NASCAR franchise as a long way to go. Hardcore NASCAR fans (well, those who aren't still harboring ill-will over the whole Papyrus thing) will probably be able to overlook some of the game's issues, though there isn't enough here to really get more casual fans excited.