If this game will not sell you on stock car racing then, I do not know what would. NASCAR 06: Total Team Control, by the always reliable EA Sports, is the follow up to the successful NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup. This game has absolutely everything that a race fan would ever want, and EA does a great job (as they typically do) of ensuring that "it's in the game."

The game starts with an introduction, by dropping you into a race in progress that functions as a tutorial on how to use the new team control system. This allows the player to coordinate the drivers so they will help each other during the race, as they often do in the actual races. You will play as both Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, as they work to get Gordon's DuPont car the win in the Pepsi 400. I found this very helpful, as it does a nice job of showing off the new feature, but also getting the player excited to play more.

Once you are past the introduction, you have a variety of race modes to choose from. You can play Race Now, which lets you pick any of the 2006 drivers and any of the unlocked tracks. You can also play in the Fight to the Top mode, which lets you create your own driver and build a career through the major NASCAR circuits like the Craftsman Truck series, Busch series, and then of course the Nextel series. You may also play season mode, which lets you race a full season using any of the 2006 drivers.

The game also offers the typical challenge modes that EA is famous for, which let you finish key races from the past featuring famous drivers like Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the like. In the other modes and these challenge modes you can earn points for various accomplishments. Once you accumulate enough points, you can cash them in for the locked tracks, cars and drivers.

Once you jump into race mode, you are offered the opportunity to practice at the track and then qualify at the track. If you skip qualifying, you will automatically begin the race in the last position, so qualifying is recommended. You will then begin your race at the length that you predetermined. Not everyone has the time to race 500 miles at Daytona, so EA offers a variety of race lengths, the shortest being 6% of the race.

Once the race begins, you will find yourself immersed into the world of stock car racing. The game play is fairly easy to pick up, and controller setup is solid for the big track racing that NASCAR is known for. What really stands out is the squad based racing, that offers the driver the opportunity to work with his team by setting up drafting and other techniques that will help you win. I found the blocking technique very helpful, especially once you gain a lead. Additionally, if your car is behind and not in the hunt for the win, you can switch to your teammate's car, which may be in the hunt, and try to get the win there. Thus you really are functioning as a race team, rather than a lone driver, which is quite realistic. Another realistic aspect is that if you have the PS2 headset you can speak your commands and they will be done in the game. You will also hear advice from your crew chief and spotters, which is very helpful during the race as they notify you of drivers around you and other pertinent information.

The graphics and sound of the game are both done very well. The cars and tracks are very accurate. I really liked that the cars will incur damage as the race progresses and as you bump and grind through the field. The night races are very cool, as the track lighting reflects off the paint of the cars. The engines and the communication mode really immerse you in the race, and the sound volume should be turned up.

If you are going to have one racing game in your collection, you have to have this one. It offers hours of entertainment and really includes all that a race fan could ever want in a game. So pack a cooler, put on your #48 Lowes Racing cap, and get er' done!