EA Sports announced Wednesday that four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon would be the cover driver for EA SPORTS™ NASCAR 09.

“It's exciting being on the cover of NASCAR 09," Gordon told EA.com. "The game is as real as it gets and it's been great being involved with it on this level. I look forward to helping gamers in NASCAR 09."

Over the past few years, EA has changed the format of the NASCAR title game to encompass various aspects of the sport. From ‘intimidation’ features, to in-depth teammate relationships and fierce rivalries, EA took a different approach to the series starting with NASCAR 08.

Losing much of the ‘game’ aspect, NASCAR 08 was much more of a simulator. Requiring serious gamers to practice and adjust on their race cars much like in real life. The game quickly became a useful tool to many drivers on the circuit.

NASCAR 09 looks to continue this new tradition, even taking it one step further. The game’s “Sprint for the Cup” mode – better known as a career mode – pairs the gamer with the four-time champion. According to EA, Gordon will serve as a “guide and a mentor to help you build your reputation to become the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion.”

NASCAR 09 is due to hit stores throughout North America on June 10th and will be available for Playstation 2, Playstation 3, PCs and Xbox 360 gaming systems.