A pretty good game that should have been so much better.
A NASCAR based game; or any reality based racing game; is very difficult to get right. The best Racing game I have ever played was Papyrus' Nascar Racing 2003 Season. The game got so much right, but it took many years to get there, and a pretty high system requirement to really get it right with the AI.
EA has taken the Xbox and made a good platform for racing. Is it as good as 2003 Season? Not quite but it is pretty good.
Pro:
Pretty good graphics. Four divisions. Day and Night time racing. Own your own team. Unlockable tracks, paint jobs, and Cars.
Con:
Production Car racing is not something I care for, but I liked the way it got you into the Carer mode. Default setups seem way off for me. I wish there was a way to start your own team off the bat without cheating. Unlockables. Rearview mirror leaves you blind on the rear corners of the car and the spotter seems to late with vital info.
The Biggest con is that if other drivers hit you, you get the same bad, villain points as if you hit them. You can have some contact but not much. and a multi-car wreck gives you more enemies than you can shake a stick at. Everyone; willing to run you into the wall to get even.
Should you play this game? If you like racing, then yes. At least rent it to see if you like it. The price is good now that the 2006 edition is out and I don't know if it is a big enough improvement for the cost difference.
I use the joypad, but have heard that a wheel makes a big difference in car control.
Now if someone would make a decent short track racing game then I could be even happier.