NASCAR Dirt to Daytona is a racing game that features four different series of NASCAR racing: the Weekly Racing Series Presented by Dodge, NASCAR Featherlite, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and NASCAR Cup Series. Players can choose from these various series depending on their driving style.
The gameplay involves upgrading vehicles in Career mode, starting with dirt cars and progressing through the ranks based on performance. Players can also engage in fast-action races without the need for a career mode. The game's physics engine reflects damage to cars, which affects their performance, and players can customize their vehicles by painting schemes and adding sponsorship placards.