IndyCar Series Xbox

With the popularity of the televised racing series established, IndyCar Series brings to the Xbox the thrill of driving over 200 miles per hour in an open-wheeled 650 brake horsepower machine. This version offers a full complement of challenges confronting real-life drivers and race teams, including qualifying, traction control, fuel and tire wear, penalties, damage, pit strategies, and garage maintenance. To compete and be successful at the highest level of difficulty, players will need to adjust springs, dampers, ride height, gears, camber, toe-in, and wings.

IndyCar Series features a multi-function display (race state, qualification speeds, laps, position, time intervals to cars in front and behind the driver, split times, and lap speeds), track warning indicators, tire temps, and damage control (oil, cooling system, ECU, transmission, and engine). Assistance is available for novice drivers in areas of speed control, traction, gear changes, drafting, and auto braking, and through an auto-drive function (during cautions and pit stops). Players can unlock trading cards and bonuses, as well as the ability to create a custom driver.

Three skill levels are offered for Quick Race, Full Season (career), and Single Season modes while racing on 14 major speedways including the famed Indianapolis track, Texas Motor Speedway, and Chicagoland. The Xbox version offers multiplayer action for up to four, with two-player horizontal and vertical split screen modes (the latter designed for wide screen televisions), and a quarter-screen display for three or four players.

Up to 33 cars appear on the track at one time, featuring drivers like Sam Hornish, Jr., Helio Castroneves, and Al Unser, Jr., among others. Legendary driver Eddie Cheever, Jr. provides narration on racing techniques in the "Series Masterclass" segment, and Indy 500 commentary is handled by Bob Jenkins. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide