Many source stated EA paid for the exclusive contract on 2003, but did not state the specific time in 2003.

The last Papyrus NASCAR game was released on feb 14, 2003.
NASCAR Thunder 2004 was the first EA NASCAR game released on Sept 2003 after the deal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR_video_games


The license could expire on the very end of 2009 or the end of the 2009 NASCAR season which will be on the end of November.

http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/

RPG - true. Just because EA has the NASCAR license doesn't mean other studios can't make a NASCAR game. MLB: The Show vs MLB 2k sports for instance.

EA has the right to make NASCAR games exclusively.

They had a few competitions before 2003 and they eliminated them.

I'm sure it's not in EA's interest to sabotage a Sony's hardware (although that doesn't mean it's not in their interest to get something out of Sony).

Technically the DLC will be a good idea even without the license issue by making people pay extra $ for DLC, so Sony might be inclined to do that, hiding their greed with circusmtances that do actually exist.

I am sure a deal was made to get around any legality; sure as hell know Sony will not hold GT5 back just because of shitty old Nascar. Nascar or not this game should release this year by what Yamauchi is saying.

I'll just sleep until a release date is announced.