World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24 brings America's ovals into your home

While we wait for a new NASCAR game and the future of an IndyCar offering remains up in the air, there is a way for oval racing fans to get their fix at home.

World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24 is the latest offering from iRacing, following on from 2022's franchise debut, combining all of iRacing’s industry-leading sim racing nous with the fun factor of a console game.

The game is the most comprehensive take on America’s dirt oval scene that’s ever been created, featuring 11 different series – including World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series, Super DIRTcar Series, and Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota (Micro Sprints and 410 Wingless Sprints are new additions this time around).

Among the licensed tracks are Bristol’s dirt track, Eldora, Knoxville, and Williams Grove, with Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway and Millbridge Speedway joining for this new edition, while the likes of Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Kraig Kinser, and Donny Schatz all make appearances as well.

While this is a game for the masses, it’s one that still requires time and skill to master. And while it’s a fun game to play, conquering the art of turning left on dirt isn’t an easy one. But that just makes this among the most satisfying console racing games to come out in a while.

Overall, the physics and opponent AI have been enhanced compared to its predecessor, plus there’s ever-evolving track conditions which change in feel and appearance with each lap, and over the course of an event. Once you reach the higher echelons, there’s also the addition of adjustable wings adding another element to the challenge and immersion.

If you’re new to this world – or this type of game – don’t make the mistake this writer did by jumping straight into a World of Outlaws Sprint car for your first laps. Luckily, in Outlaw Challenge mode, you can learn the ropes with the help of Sprint Car legend Schatz in 19 challenges. And the in-depth career mode allows you to build up at a steady pace, too.

You start off in a Micro Sprint or a Midget, low-powered cars that give you a chance to feel out the basics of the game, Although graphically it doesn’t have the same photo-real style presentation of other racing games, it’s the physics where World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24 really shines.

The cars don’t just change as you progress, but the series too. In the Career, you’ll start at a local level, advancing through regional and national series before you get a shot on the big stage of World of Outlaws.

Through race results you’ll earn prize money to buy car upgrades, and eventually staff – sponsor agents, mechanics, crew chiefs, and even drivers if you fancy sitting a particular race out – to work on your team, as well as skill points which will unlock further tiers of upgrades and additional investment, which enables you to add to your garage of cars to compete in other series and move up the ranks.

If learning to walk before you run isn’t for you, naturally you don’t need to be tied to career mode. Quick Race, a standalone Championship, and even split-screen modes are also available if you just want to get your competitive juices flowing right away.

While the video game treatment is often reserved for the shiny series at the top like Formula 1 or NASCAR, World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24 is a game that both the motorsport and gaming worlds duly deserve. Overall it’s a great experience. If a casual gamer like me can get results on a controller, then anyone’s capable of giving it a shot.

World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24 is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.