History of NASCAR Cars
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was organized in 1947 by William France, Sr., and today it remains a family business. Factory-made cars in the race evolved from true stock cars into technologically advanced machines featuring high-performance engines and state-of-the-art suspension systems. As the most widely televised sport, NASCAR sanctions the immensely popular Camping World Truck Series, the Sprint Cup and the Nationwide Series stock car races.
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Safety
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The first vehicles used in NASCAR were factory-made passenger cars that featured aircraft harnesses or ropes as seatbelts. For the 1952 season, rollbars became mandatory .
Improved Technology
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Because racing, especially on dirt tracks, was so stressful on cars, racing tires were developed by the Pure Oil Company in 1952. Buick created lightweight aluminum brake drums in 1957.
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Sponsorships
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Factory-backed programs became common by the late 1950s when Chevrolet, Ford and Chrysler sponsored teams and developed high-performance racing packages for competition.
Expansion
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By the early 1960s, "superspeedways" were built in Hampton, Georgia, Daytona Beach, Florida, Concord, North Carolina and Hanford, California.
Racing Pedigree
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Automotive marketing expanded in the 1960s when Detroit automakers began selling cars to the public based on NASCAR racing circuit performances.
Modern Era
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The NASCAR racing season dropped from 48 races to 31 in 1972, but it remained North America's most popular spectator sport until the automotive industry's drastic downsizing in 2001 curtailed attendance.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit NASCAR, danspitstopracing.com, Navy Times
