# NASCAR Racing 2 Grand National Series Expansion <small style="color: gray">Last updated: January 31, 2026</small> ## Overview NASCAR Racing 2 Grand National Series Expansion was an add-on pack for Sierra's NASCAR Racing 2, developed by Papyrus Design Group in 1997.[^ref-1] The expansion pack added the complete Busch Grand National Series (now known as the Xfinity Series) cars and drivers to the base NASCAR Racing 2 game, allowing players to experience stock car racing's premier development series.[^ref-2] This expansion required the base NASCAR Racing 2 game to play and represented Papyrus's continued commitment to expanding their realistic racing simulation beyond just the Winston Cup series.[^ref-1] The expansion was part of NASCAR Racing 2's evolution, which used a new game engine that improved graphics, physics, sound, and multiplayer capabilities over its predecessor.[^ref-3] Racing advisor voices were provided by Elton Sawyer and Patty Moise, adding authentic NASCAR commentary to the experience.[^ref-1] The game maintained the series' reputation for uncompromising realism, with one reviewer noting that "NASCAR 2 is not a toy" but rather a comprehensive racing simulation designed for serious racing enthusiasts.[^ref-4] The Busch Grand National Series represented NASCAR's second-tier racing series, where up-and-coming drivers honed their skills before advancing to the Winston Cup. By adding this series to NASCAR Racing 2, Papyrus gave players the opportunity to follow the career path of real NASCAR drivers—starting in the Grand National Series before competing at the highest level. > [!info]- Game Info > **Developer:** [[Papyrus Design Group]][^ref-1] > **Designer:** [[Dave Kaemmer]][^ref-5] > **Publisher:** [[Sierra On-Line]][^ref-6] > **Platforms:** PC, Windows 95, Windows 98, MS-DOS[^ref-7] > **Release Year:** 1997 > **Series:** NASCAR Racing > **Sierra Lineage:** Core Sierra ## Story Summary As a racing simulation, NASCAR Racing 2 Grand National Series Expansion does not feature a traditional narrative. Instead, the game recreates the authentic experience of competing in the Busch Grand National Series during the mid-1990s. Players create their own driver personas and compete against the real drivers and teams from that era, writing their own racing stories through competition. The Grand National Series featured a mix of dedicated development drivers and Winston Cup veterans who would compete in select races. This created a unique competitive environment that the expansion faithfully recreated. ## Gameplay ### Interface and Controls The expansion maintained NASCAR Racing 2's realistic control scheme, supporting keyboard, mouse, and racing wheel input devices.[^ref-8] The game featured advanced joystick and wheel support, with Joystick 1 configured for steering and Joystick 2 for pedals, though calibration was required for optimal performance.[^ref-8] Sierra's InterAction magazine acknowledged that "the only satisfying way to play is with the $130 steering wheel module," highlighting the game's emphasis on authentic simulation.[^ref-9] The cockpit view provided a realistic driver's perspective, complete with working gauges and mirrors. Players needed to monitor their car's condition throughout races, balancing speed against the risk of mechanical failure or tire wear. ### Car Setup and Tuning The expansion retained NASCAR Racing 2's comprehensive car setup system, where "every track must be considered individually when tweaking the design of your car, where you need to know where and when to pit, all while staying aware of your competition's position on the road."[^ref-4] Players could adjust numerous parameters: **Chassis Settings:** - Suspension stiffness and damping - Ride height and weight distribution - Anti-roll bar settings - Wheel camber and toe **Aerodynamic Settings:** - Front and rear spoiler angles - Radiator duct tape (reducing drag but increasing engine temperature) - Restrictor plate configuration (for superspeedway races) **Drivetrain and Gear Settings:** - Final drive ratios - Individual gear ratios for each gear - Differential settings This depth of customization meant that players who invested time in learning car setup could gain significant competitive advantages, particularly in the challenging conditions of longer races. ### Structure and Progression The expansion added the complete Busch Grand National Series roster to NASCAR Racing 2's existing structure.[^ref-2] Players could race in both single races and full championship seasons, with the game supporting 1-8 players offline and up to 8 players over IPX networks.[^ref-3] The multiplayer functionality was particularly praised, with one player noting "The best part was the multiplayability. Whenever my friends and I would get together to play multi-player games, this one always worked right the first time, everytime."[^ref-10] The championship mode allowed players to compete across a full season, accumulating points based on race finishes. Season modes required strategic thinking beyond individual races—managing equipment damage and making smart decisions about when to take risks. ### Racing Features The game featured realistic car damage, customizable car paintshop options, advanced car tuning capabilities, and spotter voice feedback.[^ref-3] The spotter system included authentic reactions like "What did you do that for! What a bonehead move!" voiced by Ronald Gaines.[^ref-11] This spotter functionality helped players maintain situational awareness during races, providing warnings about nearby competitors and track conditions. **Key Racing Features:** - Real-time damage modeling affecting car performance - Variable weather and track conditions - Realistic tire wear and pit strategy - AI drivers with individual racing styles - Authentic track recreations with accurate layouts ### Track Selection The expansion included tracks from the Busch Grand National Series schedule, giving players access to venues that differed from the Winston Cup calendar. These shorter tracks and road courses provided different challenges from the superspeedways that dominated Cup racing, requiring different driving techniques and car setups. ## Reception ### Contemporary Reviews | Publication | Score | Notes | |-------------|-------|-------| | MobyGames | 86% | Critical consensus[^ref-12] | | GameSpot | 9.2/10 | Praised as "completely professional"[^ref-12] | | Computer Gaming World | 100% | "continues down that near legendary road of glory"[^ref-12] | | Next Generation | 3/5 | Mixed reception[^ref-12] | | GameFabrique | 8/10 | "It's fab. It really is."[^ref-9] | The expansion benefited from the strong reception of the base NASCAR Racing 2 game, which had established Papyrus as the premier developer of racing simulations. Critics appreciated the additional content while maintaining the same high standards of realism. ### Critical Assessment Tim Soete's GameSpot review of the base game emphasized the simulation's depth: "NASCAR 2 is not a toy. This is a simulation that requires patience, practice, and dedication."[^ref-4] This characterization applied equally to the Grand National expansion, which maintained the same uncompromising approach to racing realism. The Computer Gaming World perfect score reflected the enthusiasm of dedicated simulation fans who appreciated Papyrus's attention to detail. The review noted that NASCAR Racing 2 "continues down that near legendary road of glory" established by the original game.[^ref-12] ### Modern Assessment Modern retrospectives have maintained positive assessments of the NASCAR Racing 2 series. The base game achieved an 81% rating on MobyGames based on critical reviews,[^ref-10] and received a Metacritic score of 89.[^ref-13] User ratings have remained strong, with MyAbandonware users rating it 4.56/5.[^ref-14] Reviewers have noted that "If realistic saloon car-type racing is your bag, there is nothing else that comes close."[^ref-9] The NASCAR Racing 2 series is often cited as a high point in PC racing simulation, representing a time when dedicated developers could create uncompromising simulations for an enthusiastic audience. Modern racing simulation fans continue to reference NASCAR Racing 2 as an influential title that shaped expectations for the genre. ## Development ### Origins and Context The expansion was developed following the success of NASCAR Racing 2, which was released in 1996 as a follow-up to the award-winning original NASCAR Racing from 1994.[^ref-6] Papyrus Design Group had established themselves as the premier racing simulation developer, with founder Dave Kaemmer bringing real racing experience to the development process. The decision to create a Grand National Series expansion reflected both fan demand and business opportunity. The Busch Grand National Series had its own dedicated following, and expanding NASCAR Racing 2 to include this series allowed Sierra to reach a broader audience while extending the game's commercial lifespan. ### Production The expansion was developed by Papyrus Design Group, with Dave Kaemmer serving as the primary designer.[^ref-5] The development team included key figures who had worked on the original NASCAR Racing series, maintaining continuity in the simulation's authentic approach to stock car racing.[^ref-5] The expansion utilized the same advanced simulation engine as NASCAR Racing 2, which featured improved graphics, physics, sound, and multiplayer capabilities.[^ref-3] The voice cast added authenticity to the experience. Elton Sawyer and Patty Moise, real NASCAR competitors, provided racing advisor voices.[^ref-1] Ronald Gaines voiced the spotter, delivering the colorful commentary that kept players informed during races.[^ref-11] This attention to audio detail helped immerse players in the NASCAR experience. ### Technical Achievements The expansion supported 3Dfx hardware acceleration and Direct 3D software rendering.[^ref-3] It maintained the technical specifications of the base game, requiring a minimum of a 486-33 processor with 6 MB of RAM and SVGA 256 color graphics.[^ref-3] The game supported various graphics acceleration options including 3Dfx and Rendition hardware, with specific configuration options available through command prompt settings.[^ref-16] **Technical Specifications:** - Minimum: 486-33 MHz, 6 MB RAM - Recommended: Pentium processor, 16 MB RAM - Graphics: SVGA 256 colors, 3Dfx/Rendition acceleration supported - Sound: Sound Blaster compatible - Multiplayer: IPX network support for up to 8 players ### Version Compatibility The expansion required NASCAR Racing 2 as a base game and was designed to integrate seamlessly with existing installations. Players who already had NASCAR Racing 2 installed could add the Grand National content without disrupting their existing Winston Cup seasons or car setups. ## Legacy ### Commercial Success NASCAR Racing 2 and its expansion pack represented a significant milestone in racing simulation development. The base game achieved sales of over 1,000,000 units, proving that "perhaps this ultrarealistic racing concept wasn't a niche market after all."[^ref-17] This commercial success validated Sierra's investment in Papyrus and demonstrated that PC gamers would support authentic racing simulations. ### Industry Recognition The series was praised for being "ahead of its time, just so ahead of its time" by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.[^ref-18] This endorsement from a professional driver speaks to the authenticity that Papyrus achieved with their NASCAR simulations. The physics modeling, car behavior, and track recreations were accurate enough to impress actual racers. ### Influence on Racing Games NASCAR Racing 2 and its expansions influenced the development of subsequent racing simulations. The attention to car setup, realistic physics, and authentic presentation established standards that competitors would need to match. The success of the multiplayer component also demonstrated the potential for online racing communities. ### Papyrus Legacy Papyrus continued developing NASCAR simulations after NASCAR Racing 2, including NASCAR Racing 3, NASCAR Racing 4, and the critically acclaimed NASCAR Racing 2003 Season. The techniques and technology developed for NASCAR Racing 2 formed the foundation for these later releases. Papyrus was eventually shut down by Vivendi (Sierra's parent company) in 2004, but key team members went on to found iRacing, which continues the tradition of realistic racing simulation today. The DNA of NASCAR Racing 2's physics and networking code can be traced directly to iRacing's modern simulation. ### Preservation Status The game is no longer commercially available and is considered abandonware.[^ref-19] Preservation efforts have made it playable on modern systems through DOSBox emulation.[^ref-19] The NASCAR Racing series continued to evolve, with Papyrus eventually developing more advanced NASCAR simulations that built upon the foundation established by NASCAR Racing 2 and its expansions.[^ref-20] Fans continue to maintain communities dedicated to NASCAR Racing 2, sharing car setups, tracks, and modifications that extend the game's lifespan decades after its original release. ## Downloads **Purchase / Digital Stores** - [GOG Dreamlist](https://www.gog.com/dreamlist) - Community Dreamlist - No longer commercially available **Download / Preservation** - [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/nascar_2) - [MyAbandonware](https://www.myabandonware.com/game/nascar-racing-2-c6r) ## See Also - **Base Game:** [[1996 - NASCAR Racing 2]] (required) - [[1994 - NASCAR Racing|NASCAR Racing]] (1994) - NASCAR Racing 2 Grand National Series Expansion (1997) - [[1999 - NASCAR Racing 3|NASCAR Racing 3]] (1999) - [[1999 - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Racing|NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Racing]] (1999) - [[1999 - NASCAR Legends|NASCAR Legends]] (1999) - [[2001 - NASCAR Racing 4|NASCAR Racing 4]] (2001) - [[2002 - NASCAR Racing 2002 Season|NASCAR Racing 2002 Season]] (2002) - [[2003 - NASCAR Racing 2003 Season|NASCAR Racing 2003 Season]] (2003) ## References [^ref-1]: [MobyGames - NASCAR Grand National Series Expansion Pack](https://www.mobygames.com/game/1612/nascar-grand-national-series-expansion-pack/) – Game description and credits [^ref-2]: [Internet Archive - NASCAR 2](https://archive.org/details/nascar_2) – Game content and expansion details [^ref-3]: [Internet Archive - NASCAR Racing 2 MS-DOS](https://archive.org/details/msdos_NASCAR_Racing_2_1996) – Technical improvements [^ref-4]: [GameSpot - NASCAR Racing 2 Review](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-racing-2-review/1900-2543742/) – Tim Soete review [^ref-5]: [MobyGames - NASCAR Racing 2](https://www.mobygames.com/game/1607/nascar-racing-2/) – Development credits [^ref-6]: [Sierra Gamers - NASCAR Racing 2](https://www.sierragamers.com/nascar-racing-2/) – Publisher information [^ref-7]: [PCGamingWiki - NASCAR Racing 2](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/NASCAR_Racing_2) – Platform compatibility [^ref-8]: [Internet Archive - NASCAR Racing 2 Manual](https://archive.org/stream/NASCAR_Racing_2_-_Manual/NASCAR_Racing_2_-_Manual_djvu.txt) – Control configuration [^ref-9]: [GameFabrique - NASCAR Racing 2](https://gamefabrique.com/games/nascar-racing-2/) – Control assessment [^ref-10]: [MobyGames - NASCAR Racing 2 Reviews](https://www.mobygames.com/game/1607/nascar-racing-2/reviews/) – User review by Spectre [^ref-11]: [IMDb - NASCAR Racing 2](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6068798/) – Voice cast credits [^ref-12]: [Wikipedia - NASCAR Racing 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR_Racing_2) – Review scores [^ref-13]: [PCGamingWiki - NASCAR Racing 2003 Season](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/NASCAR_Racing_2003_Season) – Metacritic score [^ref-14]: [MyAbandonware - NASCAR Racing 2](https://www.myabandonware.com/game/nascar-racing-2-c6r) – User rating [^ref-15]: [Audiovisual Identity Database - Sierra Sports](https://www.avid.wiki/Sierra_Sports) – Company formation [^ref-16]: [Internet Archive - N2-3dfx_exe](https://archive.org/details/N2-3dfx_exe) – 3Dfx configuration [^ref-17]: [GameSpot - Papyrus Racing Games Retrospective](http://www.gamespot.com/features/6103365/) – Sales figures by Gord Goble [^ref-18]: [New York Times - NASCAR Racing Video Game](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3392349/2022/06/30/nascar-racing-video-game/) – Dale Earnhardt Jr. quote [^ref-19]: [Internet Archive - NASCAR Racing 2 Mr Abandonware](https://archive.org/details/nascar-racing-2-mr-abandonware) – Abandonware status [^ref-20]: [Daily Downforce - Complete History of NASCAR Gaming](https://dailydownforce.com/a-complete-history-of-nascar-gaming/) – Series evolution