I've always played racing games since I was a kid before I was allowed to play shooters. I was lucky enough to be in the generation where all of the racing games I've played were open world or had open world elements. The first Forza was the first 'circuit' racing game I played and I enjoyed it. Not a big fan of NASCAR, but the way Forza and other circuit racers like Dirt deal with these type of racers are great. The only downside of the game is the AI. I understand they go on a track like a NASCAR race, but it's successor, Forza Horizon, which has a completely different way of play, their AI is very life like, meaning, they will cut you off, run you off the road, and even fly off the track with a short cut. I had to increase my difficulty because the AI would slam on their brakes making me rear-end them, smashing my windshield (since I like playing circuit racers in first person.) If you like the NASCAR games, keep it at a low difficulty since it will play like so. If you are experienced and/or like the rush of racing, increase the difficulty as you'll have more room to breath.