How to Break Into NASCAR Racing as a Driver

The top 50 stock car racers in the United States compete in NASCAR's Winston Cup Series. There's no easy way to make the grade, according to Johnny Benson, driver of the Tyler Jet Motorsports #10 Pontiac Grand Prix. "You have to start at the local tracks where you live," Benson said. "If you do well there, then you move up. You just keep moving up a level as you have some success."

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Binoculars
• Mechanic Tools
• PlayStation NASCAR 2000
• Nintendo 64 NASCAR 99
• Public Service Band Scanners
• NASCAR Uncut Videos
• NASCAR 50th Anniversary Southern Exposure Videos

1. Start early. Ask your parents to let you get involved in go-kart racing.
2. Check out the racing scene at your local stock car track.
3. Hang out at local speed shops and learn from experienced racers.
4. Volunteer as a pit crew member for a local racer.
5. Learn all you can about engine tuning and chassis setups.
6. Start racing in some of the lower, less expensive divisions such as "pure stock."
7. Gain local sponsorship and move up to purpose-built race cars.
8. Learn to win. Get tips from winning drivers. Practice their techniques.
9. Search out more sponsor dollars and move up to a professional racing series such as the American Speed Association.
10. Try to get a ride in one of the other NASCAR series such as the Goody's Dash Series, Craftsman Truck Series or the Busch Grand National Series.
11. Remember, the key to progressing through the ranks to the Winston Cup is winning on the track and getting noticed by the people who own or sponsor teams.

Tips & Warnings

• "This business, for all the machinery and high-technology stuff, is still a people business," said Benson, as the 2000 NASCAR season began.
• Many NASCAR drivers enjoy playing the NASCAR-based video games, which actually duplicate the track layouts.
• Use a radio scanner when you attend a NASCAR race and listen in on crew strategy.
• Racing is an expensive hobby, but as drivers progress to the more prestigious series, they can earn big money.
• A successful racing career requires determination and dedication and sacrifices on the part of the driver and his family.