NASCAR Race History
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR, was organized in 1947 by Bill France Sr. to organize all aspects of the popular sport of auto racing. France Sr. wanted to create a governing body to organize the sport, which to that point was known for its lack of organization, different track types and sizes, different size stadiums and cars. "Anything goes" was not acceptable. France ran NASCAR until he turned it over to his son, Bill Jr., in 1972.
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Early Races
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NASCAR first raced on dirt and sand. Within two months of the meeting in 1947, NASCAR held its first sanctioned race in Daytona Beach, Florida, France's hometown, on a beach and dirt road track. One week later, NASCAR was incorporated. In June 1949, NASCAR held its first Grand National event at the Charlotte, North Carolina, Fairgrounds. The races were popular and successful, thus prompting France to move forward with his vision. France knew there was a hunger for faster and longer tracks and bigger stadiums.
Racing in the 1950s
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Need for speed In 1950, Darlington Raceway was built in South Carolina as the first asphalt super speedway. In 1959, France Sr. built Daytona International Speedway, replacing the beach track. The Daytona 500 was born, and the first race ended in a photo finish, won by Lee Petty. In 1960, speedways were added near Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina. By this time, stock-car drivers such as Lee Petty, Buck Baker and Herb Thomas were becoming household names.
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Early Cars
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"Stock" cars were everyday cars. The first cars raced were not much more than ordinary family sedans. These "stock" cars came from all the different manufacturers. No modifications were allowed. As stock-car racing evolved, it was realized that these cars were not built to tolerate the stresses of racing, and many parts such as tires and suspension failed quickly and often. Eventually, modifications were allowed, beginning with a race tire in 1952 manufactured and distributed by the Pure Oil Company. In 1953, several car companies created suspension kits, which improved the suspension parts of the cars.
Racing in the 1960s and 1970s
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Bigger stadiums were bulit for the ultimate experience. In 1961, the Firecracker 500 was the first televised race. In 1969 France built the Alabama International Speedway (now known as Talladega) and raceways were also built in Brooklyn, Michigan, Dover, Delaware, and Pocono, Pennsylvania.
In 1971, the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company began its sponsorship of NASCAR through its Winston brand, and the premier NASCAR race series became the Winston Cup Series. This was the beginning of mass corporate sponsorship of cars and races, up to 60 a year, all across the country. NASCAR's popularity kept increasing. According to NASCAR.com, "The 1979 Daytona 500 became the first 500-mile race in history to be telecast live in its entirety."
The 1980s to Today
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Modern racing. By the 1980s, corporations began sponsoring individual cars and drivers. Races were televised weekly. NASCAR created the Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch Inc., which later became the Busch Series, and now the Nationwide Series.
In the early 1990s, races were added at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway and in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1994 NASCAR added the Craftsman Truck Series for full-size trucks.
NASCAR's increased popularity has produced an increase in the number of races, and all of the series have TV contracts.
In 2003, Nextel replaced R.J. Reynolds as the sponsor of the Winston Cup, renaming it the Nextel Cup. In 2004, The Chase for the Cup was implemented "to involve more drivers in the championship hunt, and intensify fan interest and drama during the season's stretch run." The drivers accumulate points during the first 26 races of the season and then the top 12 qualify for the Chase. After the final 10 races, the top Chase driver is named the Sprint Cup champion.
NASCAR drivers are as well-known today as any other celebrity. Some of most recognizable names include Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Darrell Waltrip and Kurt and Kyle Busch.
Safety and Today's Cars
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The death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. caused safety improvements for drivers. Throughout its history, NASCAR constantly improved the safety of the cars and tracks. In the beginning, it was as simple as adding seat belts, helmets and roll cages.
In 2000, driver Brett Bodine wore the first HANS, Head and Neck Support system, in a NASCAR race. Most drivers refused to wear it. It wasn't until the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. in the 2001 Daytona 500 that changed their minds. Now all drivers wear some form of the device.
In 2002, Michael McDowell violently hit a wall at Texas Motor Speedway. NASCAR researchers quickly went to work to develop energy absorbing barriers. This resulted in the creation of the SAFER barrier in time for the 2002 Indianapolis 500. These barriers help absorb the energy upon impact and greatly reduced the severity of injury to the driver.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit racing flag and crowd image by Maria Bell from Fotolia.com track of a big car image by Ivan Hafizov from Fotolia.com High Speed image by Carsthets from Fotolia.com classic car image by itsallgood from Fotolia.com baseball stadium image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com car image by sasha from Fotolia.com historic racecar image by Christopher Dodge from Fotolia.com
