Okay, so I’ve been meaning to get into some older NASCAR games, and I finally decided to dive into the 2001 season. I’ve always heard good things about that era, so I was pretty pumped to give it a shot.
First, I had to figure out how to actually play these games. I mean, they’re ancient in gaming terms! I did some digging and it seems like finding original copies of the games can be a pain, and even if I did, getting them running on a modern PC is another challenge. So, emulation seemed like the way to go.
I won’t go into the specifics of where I found the game files, because well you know… But with some help, I got a hold of what I needed. Then I had to find an emulator. I played around with a couple before I found one that worked well. It took a bit of configuring with the settings, making sure the graphics and controls were just right.
Once I got the game running, wow, it was a blast from the past! The graphics were definitely dated, but in a charming, nostalgic kind of way. The car selection was awesome, and I spent a good chunk of time just picking out my favorite driver and paint scheme from that season.
Getting into the Race
- First Race Jitters: My first race was… rough. I spun out more times than I could count. The handling was way different than the newer racing games I’m used to.
- Learning the Track: I started to get the hang of it after a while, though. I realized you really have to be gentle with the throttle and brake, especially on the ovals. No slamming the gas pedal like a maniac!
- Pit Strategy (or Lack Thereof): Pit stops? Yeah, I totally messed those up at first. I forgot to pit a couple of times and ran out of fuel. I had to find a guide to help me figure it all out.
I’m still not very good, honestly. I’m bumping into walls, causing some serious pile-ups, and generally making a mess of things. But I’m having a blast! It’s like learning a whole new style of racing, and it’s really satisfying when I finally manage to string together a few clean laps.
This 2001 season project is definitely going to keep me busy. I’m thinking of trying to recreate some of the classic races, maybe even do a full season playthrough. It’s a fun way to relive some NASCAR history, even if I’m crashing more often than not!
