Racing: A Brief History of NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing-NASCAR-was formed in 1948 in Daytona Beach, Florida. In the post-WWII area, new cars were in short supply. Plus, racers felt the public-especially those who couldn't afford a new car-wouldn't appreciate seeing new cars being beat up on a racetrack. Therefore, "modified" cars were the norm that first year. In 1949, NASCAR president Bill France, Sr. decided to race the cars people actually drove on the street-family sedans. France hoped the new idea would catch on and create interest in the sport. It did.

From the racer's point of view, modifying the car into that of a race car was not an expensive endeavor. Other than tweaking and tuning the engine, nothing much could be done to the "Strictly Stock" car. Ropes and aircraft harnesses were used as seatbelts, and the windshields and doors were left intact. The first official Strictly Stock Division race involved nine makes of car: Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford, Hudson, Kaiser, Lincoln, Mercury and Oldsmobile.

Some of the biggest problems with the early stock cars were the wheels. Tire, wheel and suspension failures brought on by the stresses that were not typical of normal use. Two-time Grand National champion Tim Flock put a trap door in the floorboard of his race car so he could open it with a chain and check his right front tire. Says Flock, "When the white cord was showing, we had about one or two laps left before the tire would blow."

A racing boom occurred between 1959 and the early 1960's with four racetracks being built in Daytona Beach, Florida; Hanford, California; Concord, North Carolina; and Hampton, Georgia. In the meantime, car manufacturers learned that winning races helped them to sell cars and they began paying more attention to their vehicles' aerodynamics. The development of shock absorbers, which is today acknowledged as vital to race car performance, was also emphasized.

Corporate sponsors began to take notice of the fledgling sport in the 1970's. By the mid-1980's Fortune 500 companies were involved in sponsoring individual races and teams as well. Today NASCAR racing comprises the Sprint Cup Series with 36 races each season, the Nationwide Series with 35 races each season, and the Craftsman Truck series which runs 25 races each season.

NASCAR racing has become one of America's most popular sports today. Races are viewed by millions of fans from around 150 countries all over the earth. NASCAR ranks second only to the National Football League in television ratings in homes and viewing areas throughout the United States.

NASCAR is very big business. It is estimated that there are at least 75 million die hard NASCAR fans. These fans are extreme brand loyalists and are said to spend over $2 million a year on NASCAR brand merchandise.

With such a rich and varied history; it is no wonder that NASCAR has had such an enduring effect on sports fans all over the world.

Bibliography:
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nascar