| NASCAR, or the National Association for | | | | and did not award winning to the |
| Stock Car Auto Racing, is known as the | | | | drivers. The first intent was to race |
| largest motorsports sanctioning body in | | | | Roadsters, Modified, and Stock cars. |
| the United States. The three series | | | | Only the Modified division raced during |
| under the auspices of NASCAR include the | | | | the first year. The first season had 52 |
| Craftsman Truck Series, the Nationwide | | | | Modified dirt track races. By 1949, the |
| Series and the Sprint Cup. Some local | | | | Strictly Stock division made its debut |
| races such as the Whelen Modified Tour | | | | Originally, the cars raced had to be |
| and the All-American Series from Whelen | | | | virtually factory models, but beginning |
| are overseen by NASCAR. Overall, 1500 | | | | in 1950 it was recognized that |
| races at 100 tracks are considered | | | | modifications for safety and performance |
| NASCAR races. | | | | were desirable and the Division was |
| Originally, NASCAR was viewed as a | | | | named 'Grand National'. By the mid |
| regional sport coming from the | | | | 1960s, the races were run with race cars |
| Southeastern United States, but today it | | | | and a stock body. |
| ranks second only to football in | | | | Only one of the original season race |
| television rating in the U.S. In | | | | tracks is still on the circuit |
| addition to broadcasts in the United | | | | today-Martinsville Speedway. The |
| States, races by NASCAR drivers are | | | | Darlington Raceway and the Indianapolis |
| shown in 150 countries globally. Fans | | | | Motor Speedway are both recognized world |
| show support of the sport by purchasing | | | | wide for their famous events in the |
| licensed products in the amount of $3 | | | | world of NASCAR racing. Originally, the |
| billion annually. Fortune 500 companies | | | | race tracks were oval and measured 0.5 |
| recognize the power of NASCAR fans and | | | | to 1 miles per lap. Darlington was 1.366 |
| sponsor the sports more than any other | | | | miles and known as a Superspeedway |
| sponsorship role. | | | | following its construction in 1950. The |
| The headquarters of NASCAR is at Daytona | | | | track was wider and faster than other |
| Beach, Florida. There are four local | | | | locales. In 1959 the Daytona |
| offices in North Carolina and regional | | | | International Speedway at 2.5 miles |
| offices in Arkansas, New York City and | | | | became the sport icon. |
| Los Angeles. Mexico City and Toronto | | | | During the early 1970's new sponsorship |
| Canada also have NASCAR offices. | | | | was found for the sport in the RJ |
| Additionally, most NASCAR teams consider | | | | Reynolds Tobacco Company. The name of |
| North Carolina home. | | | | the series was changed from Grand |
| Originally, Daytona Beach was the | | | | National to the Winston Cup. The series |
| location where world land speed records | | | | today is known as the Sprint Cup. Prizes |
| were set with eight consecutive records | | | | were increased significantly and a new |
| between 1927 and 1935. The Daytona Beach | | | | points system was developed. The series |
| road course was the site of fifteen | | | | dropped from 48 races during the season |
| speed records before 1935. As the | | | | to 31 races. Busch Beer took on the |
| location for land speed records moved to | | | | sponsorship of the next competitive |
| Bonneville Salt Flats, Daytona Beach was | | | | level of racers, known as the Late Model |
| already synonymous with fast cars both | | | | Sportsman. |
| on the beach and on the coastal highway | | | | ABC Sports began covering some of the |
| A1A. | | | | Grand National races but abandoned the |
| The years of Prohibition followed by the | | | | effort as not exciting enough for |
| repeal in 1933 made use of fast cars | | | | ratings. In 1979, the Daytona 500 race |
| with modified capacity driven at high | | | | was picked up from flag to flag by CBS. |
| speeds either to evade the police or | | | | During the final lap, the two leaders |
| later the revenuers. Much of this | | | | wrecked on the backstretch and the third |
| activity occurred near Wilkes County | | | | place car driven by Richard Petty won |
| region of North Carolina, but also in | | | | the race. The two wrecked car drivers |
| other parts of the Southeastern United | | | | and a family member proceeded to add to |
| States. Races of the modified cars | | | | the drama on national television by |
| increased in numbers and popularity | | | | engaging in a fistfight. Fans that had |
| during those years. | | | | been kept indoors by a major snowstorm |
| Three people were primary in the | | | | on the U.S. eastern seaboard were |
| creation of the NASCAR governing body in | | | | introduced to the excitement and drama |
| 1948: William France, Sr., Erwin | | | | of the sport. |
| 'Cannonball' Baker, and Bob 'Barky' | | | | Changes in the point structure awarded |
| Barkhimer. William France wanted to | | | | to drivers and teams has also helped to |
| protect the drivers from unscrupulous | | | | maintain the excitement of the series |
| promoters who collected gate receipts | | | | ever since. |