I picked up a NASCAR a month or so ago and now I feel like I can review it. To keep it short, I think the game plays better than it looks or sounds. The playfield itself looks good, I like the layout. Shots are still satisfying, especially the right side of the playfield. I love the 3 drops as a big part of the game.
I think the animations are underrated and would (will?) take on new life with a colorDMD. The ball lock ramp is cool, the hauler miles rules are a nice attainable grind, and modes like Speed Shots and Victory Lap are still as fun as they were the first time.
The car bash toy is cool it works and it's not a real killer like so many center bash toys are, but it's awfully bland looking. How more effort wasn't put into dressing it up, I do not know. When I got the game I was dreading having to do a repair on the hauler truck in the back left but was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to access. Other than standard pains of ramp removal, appears to be an easy game to work on. Getting the test car to NOT kick down the middle is THE important adjustment.
The ball launch circling the table is cool for sure, but it's best use is in a few modes where you have to hit a shot to release it from the track. On the plunge it's all novelty and results in no skill shot, which is a bit of a bummer.
Some sounds during gameplay are fantastic (like the hauler, the orbit shot or scanner) while others are not so awesome (music in general and the 'announcer')
The low point has to be the translite and the multiball music, which is just atrocious. It would be far better if it were just a roaring crowd and the sound of the jets flying over when you hit jackpots. Cabinet art is bland but not nearly as offensive as the terrible translite. Lastly, this may be nitpicking, but I hate the center drain hole. It's gaping and ugly and stares at you. I gotta think there was a better way to do that.
Overall I think it's a good player and at the going rate it's quite a nice buy if you can get one in good condition. High point is gameplay, low point is THAT MULTIBALL SONG and translite. The sound is both good and bad depending on what you're doing in the moment. This game is never to be confused for a classic table but is certainly not a dog either, and I think it takes some undeserved grief.