The game that glorifies the left turn makes a comeback this year with more visual realism and the new "Car of Tomorrow" -- an advanced driving machine that looks to change the face of NASCAR in real-life, and for virtual racing fans.

The safer racing car that's started to make its way onto NASCAR tracks includes a higher and wider body (causing more drag), a sturdier roll cage and a boxy front bumper that catches more wind (also causing more drag.) Why in the heck does NASCAR want to slow down the action? The game's producers say that after Dale Earnhardt's fatal accident in 2001, officials wanted to create a safer racing experience -- and EA's officially licensed game will follow suit.

Outside of the new car models, everything in the game looks more detailed -- from the ooh-and-ahh-worthy dynamic lighting (nothing like losing time when the sun blares through the windshield on a turn), to a new concussion camera that the game's makers say will make players "feel the effects of the race," and detailed car tuning options that give the game a very Gran Turismo "car porn" kind of feel.

Up to 16 racers will be able to take to the tracks online and group leaders can save car setting requirements in the EA Locker, which can then be shared with others. "Online's going to be one of our focuses as we move forward," says the developers. Offline, virtual drivers will be able to play Season Mode and The Chase. The replay and create-a-car modes will also get some significant tweaks. Also look for ESPN integration.

After a brief hands-on test with a very early version of the game, it looks like EA will deliver a very true-to-NASCAR driving experience with loads of customization. The PlayStation 3 version will work with the Six-AXIS motion-sensors, which producer Randy Chase claims delivers one of the most controlled driving experiences he's ever seen in a NASCAR game. The game will also work with the Xbox 360 and Logitech driving wheels.

Also, Randy Chase, the game's product manager says the game will, for the first time, not be headed for PC since "a majority of people who play this game, play it on consoles."

NASCAR 08 will roll onto Xbox 360, PS2 and PS3 in July.