| NASCAR runs a second division stock car racing | | | | its early days in which spectators, living in a |
| event called the NASCAR Busch Series. It is the | | | | country short of new cars, didn't want to watch |
| training ground for up and coming drivers wanting | | | | good quality cars being damaged in NASCAR |
| to eventually compete in the NASCAR Nextel Cup | | | | races, so that modified old cars were used in the |
| Series. Initially known as the Sportsman Series, it | | | | series instead. |
| began back in 1950, and was based around a | | | | Whilst the Busch Series appeals to NASCAR |
| series of short track racing events. In 1984 | | | | drivers who are trying to become good enough |
| brewing company Anheuser-Busch took over the | | | | to compete in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, it |
| leading role of series sponsor, and 2 years later | | | | also provides a good opportunity for established |
| the series became officially known as the Busch | | | | Cup Series drivers to practice. Many Cup Series |
| Grand National Series. In 2003 the Busch Grand | | | | drivers participate in Busch Series races in order |
| National Series series became known as the | | | | to become more familiar with its challenging driving |
| NASCAR Busch Series. | | | | requirements. Some less experienced NASCAR |
| The NASCAR Busch Series features race cars | | | | drivers have protested that this takes away |
| which differ from those race cars used in other | | | | opportunities from new drivers trying to break |
| NASCAR series in several important ways. First, | | | | into NASCAR events, but others argue that the |
| they are smaller, better at coping with the tighter | | | | presence of established NASCAR drivers, as |
| curves of the track. Secondly, they have larger | | | | celebrities who appeal to spectators, attracts |
| spoilers. Third, they use leaded fuel. Concern has | | | | more attention and thus more sponsorship money |
| been expressed over the environmental damage | | | | to the Busch Series. |
| this has caused, and NASCAR is researching the | | | | Every race counts in the NASCAR Busch Series, |
| possibility of using only unleaded fuel in the cars in | | | | with some of the races counting more than other |
| the Busch Series, working to determine how it will | | | | races. O'Reilly Raceway Park is one of the most |
| affect performance. NASCAR design teams work | | | | popular tracks used in the Busch Series race |
| all year round to improve the cars competing in | | | | season. Many drivers who win at O'Reilly Raceway |
| the Busch Series, which also rely on the hard | | | | Park frequently end up winning the series |
| work as skill of NASCAR crews on the ground | | | | championship. Spectators also favor O'Reilly as a |
| during the series races. Manufacturers have now | | | | Busch Series venue, as there is plenty of close |
| approved NASCAR's plans to make some major | | | | contact between drivers. O'Reilly Raceway Park |
| changes to the cars which compete in the Busch | | | | has a long and colorful history as a venue for |
| Series. This is an example of the major changes | | | | short track racing. |
| which have occurred within NASCAR itself since | | | | |