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EA Sports announces Jeff Gordon as NASCAR 09 coverboy photo

The cover “athlete” for this year’s stock car racing videogame, NASCAR 09, has just been revealed to be Jeff Gordon. Now, is that not one of the most generic names you’ve ever seen? Apparently, this is a pretty popular “sport” in some backwater parts of the United States. Also, this Jeff Gordon character must be kind of a big deal, since this will be his third time on the cover of the franchise.

NASCAR 09 is being developed by EA Tiburon, the same guys who do the Madden games. They’ve put together a completely revamped handling system for NASCAR 09. The idea is to allow novices to get into the game easily, but also to provide enough of a challenge for experienced enthusiasts.

Another major addition will be the new career mode, “Sprint for the Cup”. Gordon will act as an in-game mentor and guide to help you on your way to becoming the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. For more details, check out the press release after the jump. Okay, I’ll level with you — there isn’t much else of substance there.

EA has provided three screenshots for your viewing pleasure (scroll down), although the cover artwork itself is nowhere to be found. NASCAR 09 will be out in North America on June 10th for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2.

EA ANNOUNCES JEFF GORDON AS NASCAR 09 COVER ATHLETE
Four-Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon Featured on Cover of EA SPORTS NASCAR 09

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., - March 12, 2008 - Start your engines! Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced Jeff Gordon, legendary NASCAR® driver of car #24, will be featured as the cover athlete for EA SPORTS™ NASCAR 09. NASCAR 09 is scheduled to ship in North America on June 10 and will offer an authentic, exhilarating stock car driving experience for racing fans of all ages.

One of NASCAR's most celebrated and successful drivers for more than a decade, Gordon is ranked 6th all time in Cup Series wins with 81 and is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion. Gordon is a member and partial owner of Hendrick Motorsports.

"It's exciting being on the cover of NASCAR 09," says Gordon. "The game is as real as it gets and it's been great being involved with it on this level. I look forward to helping gamers in NASCAR 09."

Gordon's prestigious reputation aligns with the new NASCAR 09 career mode, "Sprint for the Cup." Gordon will bring the game to you as a guide and a mentor to help you build your reputation to become the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. With a completely rebuilt handling model, the game will be more accessible to newcomers while continuing to offer options that will challenge even the most experienced virtual driver. NASCAR 09 is an authentic NASCAR experience that will appeal to every type of NASCAR enthusiast.

Developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon, NASCAR 09 will be available for the PLAYSTATION®3 and PLAYSTATION 2 computer entertainment systems and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system.

EA SPORTS is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL®, NBA LIVE, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® and NASCAR® racing.


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38 comments | showing # 1 to 38

ne0g's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 17:54
ne0g
"i don't really care that much," says gordon "it's not like anyone will play the game; i mean, who likes nascar?"
Pagster's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 17:59
Pagster
Wow,Forget about Gran Tourismo,who needs tracks that have left AND right hand turns? Thats just stupid, NASCAR ftw!
MaxVest's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:01
MaxVest
Whoah, there are other NASCAR drivers?
iDano84's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:03
iDano84
Most people bash the Nascar Games because 1) They've never played them because they think it makes them a 'redneck' or 2) They never played them when Sierra was making the Franchise.

I just wish EA could pull together a nice Nascar title for once. Everything since Nascar Racing 2003 Season has been pure failure from the EA camp.
razerangel's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:07
razerangel
Cool never been a huge fan of Nascar games but always fun for a rental!
Spykron's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:09
Spykron
i will say there is a lot of unseen strategy, focus, and athleticism involved in NASCAR. however, i will not say its very exciting or a good use of fuel.
Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:16
Cheeburga
He's still driving?
moot button's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:18
moot button
"1) They've never played them because they think it makes them a 'redneck's"

says the man with the 20ought6/flannel shirt avatar.
FLAME ON! (read with lotsa sarcasm)
Barcode's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:21
Barcode
@ iDano,

I agree, Sierra's Nascar was awesome, and still is.

@Samit,

You best stop using quotations around your "sarcastic" words. Nascar is indeed a sport. It might be the most exciting motorsport out there, but there is still indeed alot of strategy, mental preperation, mental demand, as well as physical demand. Imagine driving your car with an oven running and no power steering for your car while wearing several layers of clothes. At the same time, try to be consistent with laps times and making the least mistakes possible in driving. I raced before in WKA events in 100 degree weather before wearing the same clothes they'd wear, and it was very demanding.
animateria's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:26
animateria
Wouldn't Jeff being on the cover hurt sales?

I thought a lot of NASCAR fans hated him. I've seen idiots throw trash onto the race track when he won by caution flag.

I personally rooted for him all the way though.
FreePablo's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:27
FreePablo
What kind of fucking mongoloids argue about whether NASCAR is a sport or not? It doesn't matter what you call it, it's still boring.
Barcode's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:32
Barcode
@FreePablo,

It's boring to watch, but fun to actually race. To you, the whole thing is boring.

It's be like you liking baseball or whatever sport you like. You might like to watch it, but I find it very boring to watch.
Gameboi's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:41
Gameboi
NASCAR boring? No way, man. Just like with wrestling, I'm going against the grain with this one -- I'm a fan of both.

I'm such a renegade ;-)
liam2015's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:42
liam2015
How can you add challenge to a game that it's entire premise is driving around in circles? I mean, wtf???

I hate (nascar) racing. And it's respective 'games'.

Excpet Speed Racer. That guy is damn cool. And a new movie with John Goodman!

Yay John Goodman!
SteamyV's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:45
SteamyV
To improve this post instantly, add "I CAME" caption to picture.
bassbeast's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:49
bassbeast
As a middle-class Canadian, I'll jump in and say that my wife and I both love NASCAR. People who bash it don't bother to look beyond the surface and never try to understand the actual sport. Look at all the people of the world who bash baseball, where the thing you'll see most is a group of men scratching themselves. I bet you a number of folks would jump down the throats of anyone who tried to pull that opinion off as "fact."

The "fact" here is NASCAR is as much about consistency than anything. It's about mammoth passing and pit strategy. even though they travel usually in a single direction (I suppose nobody's ever heard of Watkins Glen before...) the way the car is balanced affects which line is taken. Small changes like wedge or trackbar adjustments can mean the difference of a few horsepower, and the difference between a pass and careening into the wall.

You don't want to like NASCAR? Good, more for the rest of us.

And Samit, you've officially lost all respect from me by thinking that racecar drivers aren't athletes. Stick to what you know, mmkay?
liam2015's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 18:51
liam2015
*liam2015 frowns upon samit, even though he has no right to do so*
Bertson's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:15
Bertson
Nascar and baseball are both boring as all hell, though.
Dave Shields's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:21
Dave Shields
I'm no fan of NASCAR, but that was a rather pretentious write up about something you seem to know nothing about, neither the sport nor the game. NASCAR races draw hundreds of thousands of people, and are broadcast on network TV. Even I know Jeff Gordon is among the top drivers, and it makes sense that EA would put him on the cover. (animeteria has a great point though, Gordon is an unpopular but successful pretty-boy of the sport)

Now I'm starting to wonder why you even covered this story.. were assigned to? It doesn't seem like you have any knowledge of the game, nor NASCAR. If you covered this story to share information, maybe let someone more familar with the game give the update? (I'll echo bassbeat: Stick to what you know, mmkay?) Or be more frank about what you don't know, and let us comment about how retarded a bunch of cars driving in circles is (as well as a game based on it).

Dammit now I'm a goddamn dickhead editor, sorry, long day. carry on.
Dadud's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:21
Dadud
As i say to my friends, Don't call Nascar a redneck sport. Sure, its roots are in the deep south, but its nothing like what it was. Like Bassbeast said, Nascar isn't just turning left and going fast. I challenge any of you to sit down this Sunday and watch the race. Unless you have actually seen a race, you have no right calling it stupid.
Gameboi's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:30
Gameboi
Try and take it easy on Samit, guys. He has stepped up to the plate and covered the one subject Destructoid was sorely lacking:sports coverage. He may not be a fan of NASCAR, but I think he does a fine job with sports in general.

Having said that, I think most NASCAR games do suck. I haven't enjoyed one since [url=http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=938443]
Dirt to Daytona[/url] on the PS2. The sport is fantastic, and most games just don't do it any justice.
Gameboi's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:31
Gameboi
bassbeast's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:36
bassbeast
@Gameboi:

Fine, cover it, but don't be a prick about it. Samit was being a holier-than-thou jerk about this. As a bit of an amateur writer myself (I blogged on former sister site NextLust for a while) I understand how to make a post. This wasn't it.

Granted, as a NASCAR fan, I get a lot of this BS when I tell people. It's ignorance, pure and simple.

Quite frankly, the biggest abomination about this game is how absolutely crap it looks. Those graphics are launch level at best, and carboard stands have no place right now. There's something "off" in the presentation, and the series is beyond stagnant.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:48
Samit Sarkar
Look, this is a blog, so be prepared for people’s personal opinions when you come here. I appreciate your readership and comments, as always, and I didn’t (entirely) mean to come off as a pretentious prick. It’s just that I, personally, am not a fan of NASCAR (or racing in general), and I don’t think that it’s a sport (just like I don’t really consider golf a sport, but that’s a discussion for another time). Again, that’s my viewpoint. Baseball is my most favorite sport in the world, but I know that millions of people just find it immensely boring.

I’ve tried watching NASCAR; it’s on FOX and ABC a lot. I just can’t do it. I can see how people enjoy it — after all, thousands come out to the track to watch the races in person, and millions more follow along at home — but it’s just not for me. Granted, I haven’t taken the time to get to know its nuances and subtleties, but I don’t think I would find it much more interesting even if I did.
akathatoneguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:50
akathatoneguy
I don't have a problem with Samit's editorial comments; that's why I come to Destructoid, whether I agree or not. If I wanted straight up news I could go to a hundred other sites.

Having said that, let me give my perspective on the "Nascar games are boring" talk. I am not a Nascar fan, I've never watched a complete race, but I do hear a lot about what's going on because ESPN is constantly on my tv. I like Nascar games from time to time because of the feel of racing against other drivers. Games like Forza, etc. have more exciting tracks but the driver vs. driver aspect is very sterile. It's fun to spin people out in Nascar and then be leading in the last lap with the same guy you wrecked last race coming after you for revenge.

Also, for what it's worth, I don't think you can be *that* dumb and be a knowledgeable fan of Nascar. Any time I've even flipped past a race I hear all kinds of crap about tuning and interchanging parts and all this other stuff; even the rules about cautions, etc. are pretty in-depth. There's actually a lot of strategy involved.
alecto's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:52
alecto
The snarky attitude is totally unecessary, especially since it's about a topic that you clearly don't understand. I agree with the above posters who say stick to what you know - or at least try to be more neutral about topics that you don't have a handle on so you don't end up sounding ignorant.
bassbeast's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 19:55
bassbeast
That's cool, Samit, and I understand that people's personal opinions do appear in blogs. That's why I come here: to get the unique Dtoid perspective. (Also, cocks.)

But you could have said, "While I find it crazy boring, for those who care, you'll get one of the non-yokels on your cover. I hope that it makes your life that much better." Or something like that. It was the judgmental tone that threw me off. But c'mon, this is Dtoid; I expect a certain degree of assholerey. :)
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 20:06
Samit Sarkar
@alecto, bassbeast: Fair enough, I’ll keep that in mind in the future. I don’t want to become known as someone who comes up with stuff just to get a rise out of people. So let’s just get everything out in the open...

I follow baseball and football the most closely, and hockey somewhat less so. I’m not a fan of basketball or soccer, but I enjoy watching tennis from time to time. Golf is interesting, but I can’t watch it — just the SportsCenter version for me, thankyouverymuch. And you already know my views on racing. :) Did I miss anything major?
iDano84's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 21:00
iDano84
@moot button

It's a cotton shirt..and a 12 Gauge Shotgun. Get it right! =p
bassbeast's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 21:00
bassbeast
Nah, it's all good. Sorry if I came off as harsh. I just got through having to deal with this on a friend's LJ, wherein things got heated (the other guy was a jackass). Then I read this post. Bad timing, I guess.

In the spirit of things: I love baseball and hockey. I was happier than a pig in poop in 1992 and 1993. And, you already know my views on racing. ;P

I'm also a loudmouthed ass, so take much of what I type with a grain of salt.
Gameboi's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 21:20
Gameboi
With the exception of combat sports such as Martial Arts and Boxing, I'm not much of a fan of anything else. Football, Soccer, Baseball, Golf, and Tennis just don't do it for me.

I make the exception for NASCAR and Wrasslin' -- Hey, it's a valid sport to me. Professional stunt men at their best!

Now you all know why I'm not the sports authority on Destructoid...
Y0j1mb0's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 21:35
Y0j1mb0
Who's talking shit about about Samit?? Watch it..that's the man!!
Corak's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 22:16
Corak
"Who's talking shit about about Samit?? Watch it..that's the man!!"

People who take someone's opinion of something, and think of it as fact instead of what it is. Then they procede to call the person out, act like someone just killed their puppy, and get someone who gave his opinion of a topic feel bad.

Basically an internet argument that will go no where, change nothing in people's lives, but make the few crybabies who can't hanbdle a difference of an opinion feel better about themselves.
CelicaCrazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2008 22:54
CelicaCrazed
I find both NASCAR and baseball to be very boring but actually playing them tends to be fun. Still find rally racing to be much more exciting to watch.
DTwirler's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/13/2008 07:54
DTwirler
Jeff Gordon FTW!!
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/13/2008 10:29
Holyetheline
I want insane over-the-top crashes in this. Burnout meets Nascar would be interesting.
HarassmentPanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/13/2008 11:30
HarassmentPanda
How many actual choices were there for a NASCAR cover in the first place? Aren't they all related anyway?
lastdual's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/13/2008 14:13
lastdual
In some backwater parts of America, there are even "professional video game players". They must be inbred.
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