NASCAR Racing 3

Last updated: January 9, 2026

Overview

NASCAR Racing 3 is a comprehensive NASCAR simulation developed by Papyrus Design Group and published by Sierra Sports in 1999¹. The game represents the third installment in Papyrus’s acclaimed NASCAR Racing series, which was universally praised for its accuracy in terms of physics and track feel². Built on a modified NASCAR 2 engine with improved graphics and physics, NASCAR Racing 3 featured both the Winston Cup and Busch Grand National Series, including full car lineups, drivers, and tracks from the 1999 season¹.

The game was part of Sierra Sports’ portfolio, a label formed in February 1998 by Sierra On-Line as part of a company restructuring³. NASCAR Racing 3 was developed in partnership with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Jasper Motorsports, lending additional authenticity to the simulation⁴. The game included 23 real-life NASCAR tracks and supported up to 20 players in online multiplayer through WON.net server support⁵.

Game Info

Developer: Papyrus Design Group¹ Designer: Charlie Heath, Dave Matson, David D. Flamburis, David Matson, Richard Yasi¹ Publisher: Sierra Sports¹ Platforms: PC, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me⁴ Release Year: 1999 Series: NASCAR Racing Sierra Lineage: Core Sierra

Story Summary

NASCAR Racing 3 is a pure racing simulation that does not feature a traditional narrative storyline. Instead, the game focuses on authentic NASCAR racing experiences, allowing players to compete in the Winston Cup and Busch Grand National Series with realistic physics and official NASCAR tracks¹. Players can create custom drivers and cars while participating in full season championships or individual races⁶.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

NASCAR Racing 3 featured both hardcore simulation and arcade modes to accommodate different skill levels⁷. The game supported various input devices including keyboard, mouse, and racing wheels, with strong force-feedback support for compatible controllers⁴. Players could choose from multiple graphics APIs including Direct3D and Glide for 3Dfx cards, with resolutions up to 1024x768⁴.

The game included comprehensive car setup options allowing players to adjust suspension, gear ratios, aerodynamics, and tire pressure to optimize performance for each track⁸. A complete damage model affected both visual appearance and car performance, encouraging realistic driving techniques⁹.

Structure and Progression

The game offered multiple racing modes including single races, championship seasons, and time trials across 23 authentic NASCAR tracks⁵. Players could compete in both Winston Cup and Busch Grand National Series with full 43-car fields¹. The championship mode allowed players to progress through an entire NASCAR season, earning points and competing for the title¹⁰.

Career progression was enhanced by the ability to create custom drivers and paint schemes, with extensive customization options for both visual appearance and performance characteristics⁶. The game also included practice and qualifying sessions that mirrored real NASCAR weekend formats¹¹.

Puzzles and Mechanics

Rather than traditional puzzles, NASCAR Racing 3 challenged players with realistic racing physics and strategy. The game emphasized “racing clean (and smart) is the way to win,” requiring players to master throttle control, braking points, and racing lines⁹. Tire wear, fuel consumption, and aerodynamic drafting were critical strategic elements that affected race outcomes¹².

Car setup became a crucial puzzle-solving element, with players needing to understand how suspension, aerodynamic, and mechanical adjustments affected handling characteristics for each specific track⁸. The realistic physics engine made car control challenging, particularly in traffic situations where aerodynamic effects from other cars significantly impacted handling⁸.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Publication	Score	Notes
GameSpot	9.4/10	”Besides being the best NASCAR sim ever, it could very well be the best racing simulation ever”11
IGN	9.2/10	Praised for stunning realism and comprehensive NASCAR simulation10
GameCenter	8/10	Called it “one of the finest and most successful racing simulations on the market”7
GameZone	8.5/10	Reviewer noted the game “converted me into a full-fledged NASCAR fan”13
CDMag	4/5	”A solid step forward for one of the most respected racing simulations ever”14
PC Gamer	81%	Described as “a satisfying sim that’s only missing the Grand Prix Legends engine”15

Modern Assessment

NASCAR Racing 3 has maintained its reputation as one of the greatest NASCAR simulations ever created. On modern platforms like GOG, users consistently praise its lasting appeal, with one reviewer noting “22 years and this title still holds up remarkably well. Nothing released since has measured up to the quality of this game”¹⁶. Another user declared it “The greatest representation of NASCAR in gaming history. Infinitely moddable, infinitely customizable”¹⁶.

The game received GameSpot’s 1999 Driving Game of the Year award¹⁷ and earned IGN’s Editors’ Choice recognition¹⁰. MobyGames users rated it 7.3/10, while Amazon customers gave it ratings ranging from 3.7/5 to 4.4/5¹⁸¹⁹.

Development

Origins

NASCAR Racing 3 emerged from Papyrus Design Group’s successful NASCAR Racing franchise, building upon the foundation established by previous entries in the series². The development team initially considered using the Grand Prix Legends physics engine but ultimately decided against it, with project director Dave Matson explaining “We didn’t want to leave the majority of our fans behind” due to the increased system requirements and complexity⁷.

Production

The game was developed by a team of 140 people under the direction of project director David Matson and lead engineer Charlie Heath¹. Development focused on improving the graphics engine while maintaining the realistic physics that made the series popular²⁰. The team worked closely with NASCAR to ensure authenticity, though they lacked full licensing for Winston Cup and Busch Grand National series names and some driver sponsors²¹.

Papyrus took a “quality over quantity” philosophy with NASCAR Racing 3, initially including just the NASCAR Cup Series before adding the Craftsman Truck Series through a 1999 expansion pack²⁰. The developers incorporated new versions of New Hampshire International Speedway and Infineon Raceway to reflect contemporary track configurations¹.

Technical Achievements

NASCAR Racing 3 utilized an improved graphics and physics engine based on the NASCAR 2 foundation²². The game supported multiple graphics APIs including Direct3D and Glide, with 3D acceleration and four-position audio⁴. Minimum system requirements included a Pentium 166 MHz processor, 32 MB RAM, and a 2X CD-ROM drive⁴.

The physics engine provided realistic car handling with accurate tire modeling, aerodynamic effects, and mechanical damage simulation⁸. Online multiplayer supported up to 32 players through the World Opponent Network (WON), making it one of the most ambitious multiplayer racing experiences of its era²³.

Legacy

NASCAR Racing 3’s influence on racing simulation gaming has been profound and enduring. The game established many conventions for NASCAR simulations and maintained an active modding community for over two decades¹⁶. Its realistic physics model and comprehensive NASCAR authenticity set standards that subsequent NASCAR games have struggled to match²⁴.

The game received a Craftsman Truck Series Expansion Pack in 2000, adding new vehicles and tracks to extend its lifespan²⁵. Multiple official patches were released, with version 1.2.0.4 being the final update for the base game and version 1.2.1.7 for the expansion pack²⁶.

NASCAR Racing 3’s modding community has created extensive modifications including updated car sets, new tracks, and enhanced graphics, helping maintain the game’s relevance decades after release¹⁶. The game’s lasting appeal is evidenced by continued community activity and modern gaming platform wishlists requesting its re-release¹⁶.

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

• Currently unavailable on major digital platforms
• GOG Dreamlist - Community wishlist

Download / Preservation

• MyAbandonware - Full game download
• MyAbandonware Expansion - Craftsman Truck Series Expansion Pack

Series Continuity

• Previous: NASCAR Racing 2 (1996)
• Next: NASCAR Racing 4 (2000)

References

Footnotes

1. MobyGames NASCAR Racing 3 – - Developer, designer, and basic game information ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

2. Wikipedia List of NASCAR Video Games – - Series context and Papyrus reputation ↩ ↩²

3. Avid Wiki Sierra Sports – - Sierra Sports formation date and context ↩

4. MobyGames Specs – - Technical specifications and system requirements ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

5. Old Games Download – - Track count and multiplayer details ↩ ↩²

6. Sierra Gamers – - Customization features ↩ ↩²

7. Web Archive GameCenter – - Game modes description ↩ ↩² ↩³

8. IGN Review – - Car setup and customization details ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

9. Christian Spotlight Review – - Racing strategy and damage model ↩ ↩²

10. IGN Game Page – - Championship mode and season structure ↩ ↩² ↩³

11. GameSpot Review – - Practice and qualifying sessions ↩ ↩²

12. Web Archive GameSpot – - Strategic racing elements ↩

13. Web Archive GameZone – - GameZone review and personal impact ↩

14. Web Archive CDMag – - CDMag review score and assessment ↩

15. Web Archive PC Gamer – - PC Gamer score and conclusion ↩

16. GOG Dreamlist – - Modern user testimonials ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

17. Web Archive GameSpot Awards – - GameSpot 1999 Driving Game of the Year award ↩

18. Amazon Reviews – - Amazon customer ratings ↩

19. Amazon Manual Page – - Amazon customer ratings ↩

20. Daily Downforce – - Development focus and philosophy ↩ ↩²

21. Amazon NASCAR Racing 3 – - Licensing limitations ↩

22. Wikipedia NASCAR Racing 3 – - Engine information ↩

23. Web Archive Edge – - Multiplayer capabilities and ambition ↩

24. MyAbandonware – - Long-term impact and community assessment ↩

25. MyAbandonware Expansion – - Expansion pack information ↩

26. PC Gaming Wiki – - Patch version information ↩