The NASCAR Heat franchise had success back at the beginning of the decade on platforms like the PS2, and now publisher Dusenberry Martin Racing (DMR) is bringing it and its original developer – Monster Games – back this fall with NASCAR Heat Evolution.

The game comes out on September 13 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Details regarding the title are a little light at the moment, but it will contain all the real-life drivers, sponsors, and tracks we've come to expect; an adaptive difficulty feature; and more.

DMR snagged the NASCAR license last year (when it was initially known as DMi), and since then has put out a season update for NASCAR 14 with previous licensed developer Eutechnyx. DMR is headed by Tom Dusenberry and Ed Martin – two men with a deep history with NASCAR. Dusenberry was CEO at Hasbro Interactive when Monster Games put out NASCAR Heat in 2000, and Martin has worked on the licensing side for Papyrus (NASCAR Racing) and Electronic Arts, among others.

Also announced today is the game's unique cover star competition. Instead of relying on fan voting, the cover of NASCAR Heat Evolution will be determined by the Toyota driver – Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, and Martin Truex Jr. – who finishes the highest in the all-star race at Charlotte this Saturday, May 21.

Our Take

It's great news that Monster Games is returning to helm NASCAR once again after years of relative stasis with Eutechnyx. We don't know a lot about the game yet, so here's hoping Monster's first effort this year hits the ground running.