Overall, the game's graphics are top-notch, with great lighting effects and reflections.  The tracks all look great, and reflect the skid marks left during the course of the race.  You'll see pieces of tires and cars, sparks, and smoke and dust as the cars race around the track.

As you race, you will get status updates from your team via radio that will alert you to troubles with your car, track conditions, and nearby competitors.  These are helpful at first, but the number of phrases used for the radio chatter is limited and you'll quickly get a feeling of deja vu from them.  The same thing also applies to the instruction you receive while in Thunder License mode, and to the pre-race announcers. 

Overall it is easy to recommend NASCAR Thunder 2003.  It provides plenty of challenge for sim fans, and does a great job of giving racing rookies a chance to gain racing skills without the need for countless hours of frustration.

In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated: 90%.  A deep and gameplay-packed treat for fans of racing whether they are looking for casual play or a more serious racing sim.

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