Founded in 1948 by Bill France Sr, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was a family run business venture which covered multiple racing categories. Originally the points system for the racing season was scribed onto a bar room napkin, and along with a few other like minded drivers, the sport we know and love today was formed. Nowadays the ‘stock cars’ have no such comforts, heavily modified engines and have extra safety features such as roll cages, engine kill switches and anti spill fuel cells. Being based in the US, NASCAR has around 1500 races held at over 100 tracks across 39 states, Mexico and Canada.
Daytona Beach, Florida is the home ground of NASCAR, and is famous for its Daytona 500. In the early 1920′s Daytona was the host of many street racing and land speed record attempts. The natural progression to governance of these road racers led to the formation of NASCAR. In 1949, Flonty Flock won 7 of the 24 races, and as promised Bill France Sr paid up the $1,000 prize money and a four foot high trophy. This was the beginning of a new era.
After numerous fatalities during races, the drivers have been progressively exposed to new safety features. After the deaths of Tony Roper, Kenny Irwin, Adam Petty and Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR revisited the notion of decreasing the incredible G forces drivers sustained during accidents. After Glen ‘Fireball’ Roberts died from his Talladega inferno, only then were fire retardant suits made mandatory.
NASCAR does not just stop with stock cars; there is the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series which are modified pick up trucks. This supersedes the NASCAR SuperTruck Series which started in 1995. It is commonly known as where the older drivers go before they retire.
