NASCAR 06 follows the series' recent tradition of being subtitled with the major new feature of that edition. Total Team Control derives from the new teammate features: one can switch control from their driver to another car on their team during a race, and can command the teammate to follow, block for or work with the player.[2] It also implements Logitech USB audio technology, allowing the player to order their crew chief with a headset or microphone. The rest of the game retains the modes and features brought into the series by NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup, making NASCAR 06 very similar to its predecessor. The game begins with the Pepsi 400, where Jimmie Johnson gets wrecked after bumping Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the player must take control of Gordon and win the race.[2]