2024 NASCAR Season Heats Up in Forza Motorsport

Forza Motorsport Update 14 invites you to step behind the wheel of next-generation NASCAR stock racers. The American Thunder Tour is where you will experience the advanced 2024 Next Gen NASCAR racers. From Homestead-Miami and Indianapolis to Eaglerock Speedway and Sunset Peninsula, this month is a competitive celebration of oval stock car racing in Forza Motorsport.

Visit the Showroom to acquire three all-new NASCAR racers – the 2024 Chevrolet NASCAR Next Gen Camaro ZL1, 2024 Ford NASCAR Next Gen Mustang Dark Horse and 2024 Toyota NASCAR Next Gen Camry XSE – available as Spotlight cars during Week 1 of American Thunder.

This update also tunes the competitiveness of Drivatar AI for more intense oval racing, and adds rolling starts to multiplayer races – an essential element of the new NASCAR Series in Featured Multiplayer, available to race over the next 5 weeks. While a limited-time event for American Thunder Month, it will also return in the future as part of our Featured Multiplayer Series rotations.

Game Improvements and Release Notes

Forza Motorsport Update 14 rolls out for download starting Monday, November 4 on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam. Spotlight cars and new in-game events will begin on Wednesday, November 6 starting at 4:00 PM PT (12:00 AM UTC on Thursday, November 7).

Below is a snapshot of the fixes and improvements included with Update 14. Head on over to Forza Support to view the full release notes:

• The global reflection probe for the track is now captured at the camera location and includes the track itself. This allows reflections to appear more accurate and prevents visual pops in the reflections by smoothly fading over time.

• Fixed an issue on Mugello and other tracks where hitting curbs could cause sporadic, uncontrollable spins. This would occasionally occur when one or more tires rapidly accelerated or decelerated while unloaded during cornering. While curbs can naturally affect car balance, this fix ensures more predictable handling in these scenarios. As in real life, drivers should still approach curbs with caution, as they can disrupt vehicle stability.

• Fixed an issue where the game will sometimes crash when attempting to reset Free Play Setup settings to default after changing the Game Type to Multi-Class.

• Improved performance when navigating between Vinyl Groups and Liveries menu.

• Fixed an issue where a car's upgrades would also be reset if the player reset its tuning.

• Fixed an issue where the mini leaderboard wasn't sorting players correctly in Drift events.

• Fixed an issue where existing UGC could not be overwritten in Save Livery, Tuning, or Photo menus.

• Added a ‘Sort by Overall’ / ‘Sort by Group’ button to Event Results for Multi-Class Races allowing players to compare how they did against the overall driver list.

• Fixed a bug where tire wear was not correctly affecting grip of Drivatar AI opponents in races.

• Improved Drivatar AI pitting logic, especially in Endurance Races.

• Adjusted track wall friction on Eaglerock Speedway, Daytona, Homestead, and Indianapolis to more accurately reflect physical material properties.

• Autosaved tunes no longer apply to a player's tune save limit.

Developers Note: Autosaved tunes still appear in the game menus, however they do not impact your tune save limit, which is currently 450 tunes. We are actively working on increasing save limits for a future release.

Today’s update also includes enhanced car audio for the following vehicles:

• 2010 Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV
• 2019 Lamborghini Sian FKP 37
• 2013 McLaren P1

We recently shared details about how we updated our authoring techniques and pipelines so that we can fix as many car audio issues in the game as possible. Please read this blog for additional details regarding our approach to future car audio updates in Forza Motorsport.

NASCAR Gameplay Adjustments

November is NASCAR month! To celebrate, we’ve made global changes in both Updates 13 and 14 to improve the racing experience across the game, and to make oval racing especially shine:

• Tuned Drivatar AI on Ovals to have cleaner race starts, transition more smoothly after race start, and to trail more effectively.

• Tuned car-to-car collision response for more physically accurate energy dissipation. This reduces the impact of small collisions and allows for more stability and control.

• Improved Drivatar AI trailing ability especially in braking zones, making Drivatars less prone to rear ending other cars. (Update 13)

• Downforce reduction for lead cars when drafting was reduced to make it easier to maintain position. (Update 13)

• Updated the multi-car aero model to reduce downforce impact on leading cars, widen the aero wake near the car, smooth transitions near wake edges and reduce drafting induced aero balance changes. (Update 13)

• Additionally, we’ve added support for rolling starts in Featured Multiplayer. Rolling starts will be enabled for all events in the NASCAR Series in Featured Multiplayer in Update 14. Rolling starts will be added to additional events, where appropriate, starting in Update 15.

Homestead-Miami Speedway track layouts have also been refreshed with new NASCAR branding – check it out and be sure to snap some photos or replays of your favorite battles on the track!

In addition, with Update 14, we’ve pushed a new Forza Race Regulations model with a slight reduction to false positive penalty assignments, and an improvement to severity assignment.

Advanced Ghosting in Multiplayer

Advanced Ghosting is a support mechanism for Multiplayer and Forza Race Regulations to help prevent some key collision or off-track situations from adversely affecting the online racing experience. Players will be ghosted in the following scenarios:

• Predicted high relative velocity collisions: when an imminent collision between two cars is detected while driving above the speed threshold, the car with the higher velocity will be ghosted. This does not include low-relative velocity collisions like small fender bumps.

• Returning to track: when a car goes off track, they will be ghosted to prevent collisions caused by unsafe re-entry until they have returned to track and reached a minimum speed threshold.

• Stopped on track or driving below a speed threshold: cars that are driving too slowly or are entirely stopped and blocking traffic will be ghosted to prevent risk to other cars.

• Driving the wrong way on track: cars driving the wrong direction on track will be ghosted until driving the correct amount of time and meeting a specific speed threshold. This is an existing behavior but has been expanded to include cars at extreme angles relative to track direction and speed.

Experientially, our goal was to use this system to safeguard against egregious collision and griefing behavior, while preserving the physical authenticity of racing where bumping and touching may occur when fighting for position.

Roaring Racers in the American Thunder Tour

American motorsport is unique in the global racing landscape. From roaring stock cars thundering around oval tracks like Indianapolis and Daytona to the precision and agility showcased in road racing on Sebring, the spectacle is undeniable.

Modern NASCAR

The American Thunder Tour starts with a celebration of Modern NASCAR as three new 2024 Next Gen NASCAR racers duke it out on oval tracks vying for dominance. Choose your favorite of the three to compete with in this NASCAR-focused series.

American Road Racing

American cars in the 1970s through 1980s represented the power, thunder and muscle of racing. Take a tour through tracks in the Americas while competing against this era of cars in American Road Racing.

American Le Mans

Tracks in the United States like Road Atlanta are home to Le Mans events outside of Europe such as Petit Le Mans. Experience the competition of cars from 2010s to modern era in American Le Mans. For the Spotlight cars, it's Chevy vs Mazda, as two iconic 2010s era endurance cars go head-to-head in endurance races featuring American tracks.

Daytona Prototypes

Race to the limit in Daytona Prototypes, the final series in the American Thunder Tour. Compete on tracks that highlight the technical excellence and robustness of Daytona Prototypes.

American Thunder Tour Reward

Complete all four series in the American Thunder Tour in Career before December 25, 2024, or 10 NASCAR Series races in Featured Multiplayer during American Thunder Month, to earn the new-to-Motorsport 1988 Chevrolet #77 Beretta Trans Am.

Powered by a fuel injected 3.0-liter V6 engine, the 1988 Chevrolet #77 Beretta Trans Am was built to compete in the legendary Trans Am Series. It is made with a fiber-glass body put on top of a carbon tub. Race the #77 Beretta Trans Am on Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in the Reward Showcase.

Stock Car Racing in the Open Tour

Once you have mastered racing the world-famous tracks across the massive breadth of the USA in the American Thunder Tour, check out the Open Class Tour to continue the story of these iconic racecars. Check it out under the Featured tab in Career mode.

Open Class Tour is where you can resume the journey of your favorite tuned cars, and each update to Forza Motorsport refreshes the Open Class Tour with new events and a different reward car. Cars you’ve already upgraded in a different Builders Cup series can be further levelled up in the Open Class Tour.

The Open Class Tour features six series, each with three races, that range from D Class to R Class. Upgrade your favorite stock racers – or any other cars of your choosing – and use them to complete all six series in the Open Class Tour before December 11, 2024, and you will receive the 2019 Hennessey Camaro Exorcist, new-to-Motorsport with Update 14.

You can also unlock the 2019 Hennessey Camaro Exorcist by completing 10 Cycled Class Series races in Featured Multiplayer.

The fastest Camaro ever created has arrived in Forza Motorsport and it comes equipped with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that powers this car with 1,000 bhp. As one of the most powerful road cars in the world, its 0-60 mph time is an awe-inspiring 2.1 seconds; meaning the Hennessey Camaro Exorcist can finish a quarter mile in just 9.57 seconds.

Spotlight Cars and VIP Discounts

Spotlight cars are featured in the Showroom every week. These cars correspond to the available in-game events and can be acquired with a temporary 30% discount using in-game credits.

American Thunder Month introduces some new-to-Motorsport Spotlight cars to the Showroom: the three 2024 Next Gen NASCAR vehicles, as well as the 2010 Mazda #16 Mazda Racing B09/86.

In total, American Thunder will showcase nine Spotlight cars in the Showroom, with one or more cars per week. These Spotlight cars can be used in the American Thunder Tour and Spotlight Rivals, as well as to complete Challenge Hub objectives.

Forza Motorsport VIP Members also benefit from a 15% five-week discount in the Showroom on the 1982 Ford #6 Zakspeed Roush Mustang IMSA GT.

In addition, VIPs receive an exclusive 15% discount on a car every week in the Showroom. In Update 14, these cars will be classic and modern American racers which can be entered into the Featured and Spec Series events in Featured Multiplayer available throughout American Thunder Month.

Here’s a look at the cars that will be going on sale for VIP Members over the next few weeks:

Exclusive VIP discounts and VIP Rivals events require VIP Membership, available in the Premium Edition or Premium Add-Ons Bundle, sold separately.

NASCAR Series in Featured Multiplayer

Overtake the opposition on a variety of ovals in the NASCAR Series, where every lap brings new thrills and unexpected twists. Available under the Featured tab all throughout American Thunder Month in Forza Motorsport, while also returning in our future Featured Multiplayer Series rotations.

Update 14 also introduces a new, one-make Ginetta Juniors Spec Series, in addition to returning events: BMW M3 Spec Series, Lotus 3-Eleven Spec Series, Subaru BRZ Spec Series, and the Mazda Miata Spec Series. In addition, we're also bringing back the Modern Factory Racecar Series, Vintage Le Mans Sportscar Series, Early Factory Racecar Series, Forza P2 Series, and GTX Sportscar Series.

Evergreen Series like the Endurance Series, Forza Touring Car Spec Series, Forza GT2|3 Spec Series, Multi-Class Series, and the daily Cycled Class Series all continue throughout Update 14.

Here’s a look at the Featured Multiplayer calendar of upcoming events for American Thunder Month:

Strike Lightning in American Thunder Rivals

Over the next five weeks, Featured Rivals invites you to set the fastest lap times in events featuring next-generation NASCAR machines and iconic American racecars. Take one of the three new high-performance 2024 Next-Gen NASCAR cars through their paces at Grand Oak – National Circuit in the Spec Division – NASCAR Rivals event. These same racecars can also be hot lapped at Daytona International Speedway – Sports Car Circuit in the Spotlight Rivals available for Week 1 of American Thunder.

We also have a new series of Rivals events with our friends at Logitech and McLaren. Race for the opportunity to score $100,000+ in cash and prizes and the chance to win a VIP race experience with McLaren. The Logitech McLaren G Challenge Qualifier #1 features the classic 1976 McLaren #11 Team McLaren M23 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – Grand Prix Circuit. Set your quickest lap time and sign up at Discord.gg/LogitechG to confirm eligibility and qualify for prizes. Top 10 drivers per region qualify for grid races on March 1-2.

Buckle up for an intense new Legends vs Leaderboard Rivals event with Mobil 1! Get behind the wheel of the 1985 Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT Apex at Mobil 1 Presents Maple Valley – Short Circuit and try to set a faster lap than Tyler Reddick’s 00:54.305. Head to mobil1gaming.com to see Tyler set the lap and more.

VIP Members, show off your driving proficiency at Hockenheim – Full Circuit in the 1981 Ford #2 Zakspeed Racing Capri Turbo in the High Speed Hockenheim VIP Rivals.

In addition, new Drift Rivals are available during American Thunder Month. Slide into autumn with your favorite Formula Drift car and drift your way to the top of the leaderboard at Maple Valley. In the Open Class Drift, choose your favorite B Class Drift car or build your very own and bring it to dominate the drift leaderboard at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Short Circuit!

Check out the full schedule of Rivals events lighting up during the five-week American Thunder update period below:

Suit up with Fresh Gear in the Challenge Hub

We introduced the Challenge Hub in September alongside Mid-Engine Month in Forza Motorsport. Get ready for new NASCAR objectives and rewards in American Thunder Month with refreshed Featured Challenges and Weekly Challenges available for you to complete.

Credits, cars and race suits are all up for grabs in challenges available across Career, Featured Multiplayer and Rivals.

As a reminder, each update’s reward cars can be obtained by either completing the Featured Tour in Career or by playing a specified number of races in Featured Multiplayer – it’s your choice!

Here’s a breakdown of the Challenge Hub objectives and rewards available for American Thunder Month:

Featured Challenges

Weekly Challenges

Week 1: Nov. 6 5:00 PM PT – Nov. 13 4:00 PM PT | Nov. 7 12:00 AM UTC – Nov. 14 12:00 AM UTC

Week 2: Nov. 13 5:00 PM PT – Nov. 20 4:00 PM PT | Nov. 14 12:00 AM UTC – Nov. 21 12:00 AM UTC

Week 3: Nov. 20 5:00 PM PT – Nov. 27 4:00 PM PT | Nov. 21 12:00 AM UTC – Nov. 27 12:00 AM UTC

Week 4: Nov. 27 5:00 PM PT – Dec. 4 4:00 PM PT | Nov. 28 12:00 AM UTC – Dec. 5 12:00 AM UTC

Week 5: Dec. 4 5:00 PM PT – Dec. 11 4:00 PM PT | Dec. 5 12:00 AM UTC – Dec. 12 12:00 AM UTC

3, 2, 1... Start Your Engines!

That’s American Thunder Month in Forza Motorsport! We hope you enjoy the new NASCAR vehicles and the classic American racecars being showcased over the next five weeks. Race these cars on the many oval tracks available in the game and take on the world for your spot on the podium all month long in Featured Multiplayer with the NASCAR Series.

Please continue sharing your ideas for new cars, tracks and features with us over on the Suggestions Hub, and they might be considered for inclusion in future updates.

Update 15 will be available in December as our last release before the start of the New Year. This next update is called Australia Month, featuring the return of Mount Panorama Circuit – home of the legendary Bathurst 1000 endurance race – and will celebrate the diverse racing heritage of cars from the land down under.

Look forward to additional details about Update 15 in next month’s blog. Until then, have fun with NASCAR across our lineup of American Thunder events, and we’ll see you on the grid in Featured Multiplayer!