| NASCAR stands for the National Stock Car Auto | | | | under cover of darkness. The activity was |
| Racing Association. The organization itself is a | | | | characterized by Federal agents chasing and |
| conduit for many companies to market their | | | | hunting them down. It was risky business and |
| products while giving fans of auto racing a thrilling | | | | sometimes even mortal. |
| experience. The roots of NASCAR go back to | | | | Bootlegging began to create competition among |
| the very thing that spawned the American | | | | the drivers of the moonshine cars and it was |
| Revolution: a disdain for excessive taxation. Yes, | | | | sport to see who had the fastest car. Over time, |
| NASCAR roots actually begin around the year | | | | they would even collectively get together and |
| 1794 and at the heart of the Whiskey Rebellion. | | | | have races on Sunday afternoons. All the local |
| The Whiskey Rebellion was spawned because the | | | | people would come out and spend a Sunday |
| new United States Federal Government imposed | | | | afternoon watching the races and that night, the |
| a tax on farmers who distilled their extra grain so | | | | drivers would turn their sport into work and run |
| as to bring it to market as well. Back in those | | | | the illegal moonshine to secret buyers. |
| days, there were not sophisticated highways and | | | | In 1938, Daytona Beach Florida would become the |
| rail systems to get grain to market and farmers | | | | place of the first NASCAR race. Daytona Beach |
| did the best they could to deliver it. Any grain left | | | | was a good place for racing because the beach |
| over would be distilled into spirits rather than let it | | | | sands were firm and the beach area was wide. |
| go bad. The spirits of course would be imported | | | | The prizes for the winners were simple and could |
| to the markets and sold in that form. It was this | | | | be things like a case of motor oil, a bottle of |
| that Alexander Hamilton wanted to tax. Of course | | | | spirits, or a box of cigars. The organizer and |
| the farmers rebelled because this was part of | | | | promoter of this event was a man named Bill |
| their very livelihood. | | | | France. Bill France would go on to build the |
| Some farmers secretly distilled the spirits and | | | | organization we known as NASCAR today. |
| transported the end product in secret and under | | | | In the 1950s, the business model of NASCAR |
| cover of darkness to their end markets. Thus the | | | | began to form and it continues today. Many |
| seeds of NASCAR were planted although at this | | | | promoters of products will pay drivers and car |
| time there was no such thing as cars. Thus the | | | | teams to carry their logo on their car and on |
| spirit of NASCAR came to pass. | | | | driver suits. If the team is a winner it is a great |
| In the 1920s and early 1930s, the Federal | | | | position for a promoter to be in. Plus, many |
| government would again try to control the | | | | companies enjoy having the NASCAR logo |
| production and transportation of spirits through an | | | | associated with their businesses and products. |
| amendment to the U.S. Constitution known as | | | | And for the fans of NASCAR, it is great fun and |
| Prohibition. It was one thing that the farmers | | | | excitement. |
| would manufacture the spirits in secret for | | | | Chris DiCicco owner of is also the senior editor |
| personal use but that of course was unprofitable. | | | | and website developer for his store. 1000's of |
| So the "bootlegger" was born. Bootleggers were | | | | collectibles including Nascar Books and Nascar |
| those who would run illegal spirits (also known as | | | | Blankets at great prices everyday! |
| moonshine) to secret markets in high-speed cars | | | | |