NASCAR Thunder 2004

Dale Earnhardt:
To unlock Dale Earnhardt, win the Daytona 500 as Kevin Harvick (29 car). After winning the Daytona 500, a Thunder Plate will appear with Dale Earnhardt on it.

Alternately, go to Lighting challenge and play three of them.

Alternately, reach level 2 in your EA Bio (by winning three races).
johns.

Richard Petty:
Reach level 10 in your EA Bio.
johns.

All Star race:
Reach level 16 in your EA Bio.

Bud Shootout:
Reach level 18 in your EA Bio.

If you win the Bud Shootout during a season or career mode, you will automatically be in the Bud Shootout the following season and in the future.
Matt Trace.

Pace car:
Reach level 28 in your EA Sports Bio to unlock the Buster Auton pace car. Note: This car is damage-proof.

EA Bio bonuses:
Various other Thunder Plates can be unlocked by uploading your EA Bio from other 2004 EA titles, such as NCAA Football 2004, March Madness 2004, Madden 2004, etc.

Alternate paint:
Win a race under the medium, hard or extreme difficulty setting to unlock a paint scheme for that driver.

Exhibition and alternate event races:
Win a race under the medium, hard or extreme difficulty setting to unlock an exhibition or alternate race for that track.

Hint: Night tracks:
Go to season mode and then to "Custom Schedule". You can unlock night races for the day tracks.

Hint: Alternate night tracks:
Win the race that has a locked version of an alternate night track under the veteran difficulty, 3% race length, and damage on visual only. Repeat this method on all tracks that have a locked version of it.

Hint: Road courses:
To unlock a road course for Texas, Talladega, Pocono, Phoenix, Homestead or Daytona, race the original track on the medium or veteran difficulty. 3% is the easiest race length and the fastest.
CatDudex2.

Hint: Fantasy and night tracks and cars:
Go to season mode. Choose custom for tracks. Then, choose locked tracks on medium. You can race at whichever locked track you choose. if you win race, you unlock a track. if you also have a locked car, you also win the first locked car.
unya3.

Hint: Easy All Star race and Bud Shootout:
Instead reaching the EA Bio levels for the All-Star race and the Shootout, just race a season under veteran at 3 or more % race length, damage on visual only, and brake and steering help, and win those races.
Disturbed Mechanic.

To get into the All Star race, win the Daytona 500 (in career mode). You will be in the All Star until you "retire".
Nate Brandt.

Hint: Easy Martinsville win:
When you get into a corner, go on the low side of the race track and do not top. You will work though the pack easier.
Hotrod340mopar.

Hint: Easy win:
On a longer race, race backwards and try to take every racer out. Make sure they are in flames. Pause game play and check the "Race Stats" periodically to see who is still on the track. Then, turn back around and race with no competition. Note: When you are checking the Race Stats, if you see "Off" under any racer, that indicates that they will be in the pits for a long period of time.
Kommando.

Hint: Driving locked car part:
In multi player mode, you can drive a locked car. This only works with one person at a time. Have a player choose their car, then have the other player go to the same car. Have them change to a locked car. After that, they can choose their car.
unya3.

Hint: Drive same car:
In two player mode, have someone pick a created car then have the other player go to that car. They can also choose it. When you race, both players will be driving the same cars.
Nascarforever20.

Hint: No restrictor plate at Talladega:
Note: This procedure involves editing a game file; create a backup copy of the file before proceeding. Use a text editor to edit the "gdbfile" file in the "/season04/tracks/talladega/easports500" directory in the game folder. Find the "RestrictorPlate = true" line and change the value to "false".
Richard.

Hint: Gear ratios:
The following gear ratios deliver the most top end or acceleration for these tracks, depending on what is best for that type of track. They are listed in the order: second, third, fourth, and rear. All first gears should be set to 3.6.
Toad, Doc, and Skunkboy.

Atlanta: 2.1 / 1.55 / 1.06 / 3.55
Bristol: 2.3 / 1.8 / 1.3 / 4.15
California: 2.0 / 1.4 / 1.0 / 3.50
Chicago: 2.0 / 1.5 / 1.02 / 3.50
Darlington: 2.15 / 1.60 / 1.86 / 3.7
Daytona Beach: 1.9 / 1.3 / .98 / 3.5
Daytona: 2.05 / 1.45 / 0.89 / 3.5
Dockside: 2.1 / 1.55 / 1.10 / 3.5
Dover: 2.15 / 1.70 / 1.11 / 3.80
Indy: 2.05 / 1.50: / 1.01 / 3.5
Infineon 2.1 / 1.65 / 1.15 / 3.85
Kansas: 2.1 / 1.5 / 1.0 / 3.55
Las Vegas: 2.1 / 1.55 / 1.06 / 3.5
Lowe's: 1.9 / 1.3 / .98 / 3.50
Martinsville: 2.4 / 1.9 / 1.5 / 3.6
Miami: 2.0 / 1.5 / 1.06 / 3.55
Michigan: 2.05 / 1.5 / 1.01 / 3.5
New Hampshire 2.35 / 1.7 / 1.15 / 4.1
Phoenix: 2.1 / 1.6 / 1.11 / 3.65
Pocono: 2.0 / 1.45 / .94 / 3.5
Richmond: 2.3 / 1.8 / 1.23 / 3.9
Talladega: 2.05 / 1.6 / .83 / 3.5
Texas: 2.1 / 1.55 / 1.04 / 2.5
The Rock: 2.1 / 1.65 / 1.14 / 3.55
Watkins Glenn: 2.1 / 1.55 / 1.08 / 3.6

Hint: Recommended corner speeds:
Note: These are tracks for the short twelve track season in season or career mode. An asterisk (*) indicates you should put the pedal to the metal when at least half-way through the turn; reduce speed if needed.
Bloodrayne @ Anime Blaze.

*Atlanta: 160 mph - 165 mph
*Darlington: Turn 1 and 2 (150 to 155 mph); Turn 3 and 4 (130 mph)
Daytona: No specific speed
*Indianapolis: 160 to 165 mph
*Kansas: 100 mph and stay
*Lowes: 160 to 165 mph
*Michigan: 165 to 170 mph
*Pocono: 140 to 145 mph
*Richmond: 95 to 100 mph and stay
Talladega: No specific speed
*Texas: 165 to 170 mph
*Watkins Glenn: Unknown

Glitch: Upside down:
Chose any track and press cursor keys on the keypad until it appears that you are upside down. Drive and it will still look as if you are upside down when in fact you are actually level. Press [Keypad 5] to return to normal.
Dcarnys.