While it remains largely unchanged from its console brethren, arguably the most crucial addition to the PSP version is the ability to save mid-race. Obviously saving mid-race makes NASCAR far more handheld-friendly, but because of the PSP's less than ideal analog nub it's a good safety net that can be used to help you maintain the lead. You can also use the Instant Rewind, which, as the name suggests, allows you to rewind time a few seconds, in order to correct a mistake. Use is limited though, and your chance of completely avoiding major problems (big crashes, hard turns, etc.) is unlikely, but for the few times it actually proves itself useful you'll be glad it was there.

To be clear, the game is NOT an arcade racer. Difficulty ramps up rather quickly and there are plenty of times where even avid NASCAR gamers (read: those that are good at them) will most likely become frustrated. This is exacerbated by the Hero/Villain system incorporated in NASCAR, which has fans and fellow racers either love or hate you depending on how aggressively you drive. The more villainous you are the more other racers try to block or nudge you (which consequently raises your “villain” status while sending you out of control into a wall.) Since it's nearly impossible to have a completely clean race you'll eventually become a villain whether you want to or not (unless you're really awesome even in spite of the PSP's craptacular analog nub.) This only makes the races even more difficult and hence more frustrating.

The Fight To The Top mode is a real drag (no pun intended.) It's the same old career mode story we've gotten used to from sports games – you're a rookie on a quest to become #1. In and of itself that isn't so bad, but the problem that arises is that it's incredibly monotonous to the point of being boredom-inducing. Because there are so many different series involved with making your way to the top, eventually you just stop caring. And as soon as your motivation to play starts waning, you end up getting burnt out. Rather than being fun, it ultimately ends up being a chore to play through the entire career.

Multiplayer in NASCAR is lackluster, as well. The exclusion of any Infrastructure (online) play is only heightened by the omission of game share. Instead all that is available is Adhoc multiplayer in which each person needs to have a copy of the game (essentially the worst case scenario for portable multiplayer.) Luckily, even though multiplayer is limited to four players, the pertinent modes – season and single race – are available as well as the Dodge Challenge mini-games. So if you and your buddies are big enough fans of NASCAR racing to purchase four copies of the game, rest assured that you'd at least have yourself a good time playing.

Graphics are also a mixed bag. There are certain aspects that look really good, while others are clearly watered down assets from the console counterpart. For instance, dirt and grit collect on your car and windshield, an effect that is very impressive, but track and audience textures look pretty damn terrible. Thankfully these blemishes are less noticeable when traveling at 150MPH, but they're still worth mentioning. As noted in the intro, the sense of speed (particularly when you're in an external/chase view) isn't anywhere near as fast as I'd hoped for. What's ironic about this is that the game runs at a steady clip (30fps) even with 40+ cars on the track simultaneously.

Despite these harsh criticisms, I was actually impressed with NASCAR simply because it was the series' first outing on the PSP. While the lack of decent multiplayer is a dim-witted compromise, the Adhoc mode available is quite well featured. Not saying that makes up for no infrastructure or game share, but at least EA made an effort to include some kind of multiplayer. On the visual side of things the game could have been better, but also could have been far worse. The only part of the game that doesn't have any redeemable attributes is the career mode – it's just too damn long and repetitious to be enjoyable. In any case, while NASCAR is still a solid racer, I'm optimistic that next year's version will be a substantially better game and, unless you're a huge racing fan, recommend you wait.

As Talladega Nights protagonist Ricky Bobby said, ‘If you ain't first, you're last.' Fortunately for EA's NASCAR on the PSP there are no competitors so it's first by default.