What is the history of stock car racing?
In December 1947 France assembled the leading stock car drivers, mechanics and owners in Daytona Beach, Florida, to standardize rules, a meeting that ended with the formation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR ). Red Byron (left) with his race car owner Raymond Parks in front of Byron’s automotive garage, circa 1950s.
Why do we love stock car racing?
That’s a fact,” Johnson told the BBC. Stock car racing had its roots in Appalachia where producing and selling homemade whiskey offered liquid salvation for family farms seeking to escape crippling poverty—especially during the Great Depression, which hit the region particularly hard.
What is Street stock and Super Stock Car racing?
Street stock car racing is consisting of only street vehicles which can be bought by the general public. It is sometimes referred to as hobby stock, showroom stock, or U-car racing. Super Stock. This stock class is similar to street stock but it allows more engine modifications to cars.
Is stock car racing a sport or a hobby?
Today, stock car racing is a well-governed sport. NASCAR is the No.1 spectator sport in the United States and the second most popular televised sport broadcast worldwide [source: NASCAR]. It continues to grow in popularity, and roughly 40 percent of its fan base is now female [source: Wise].
See more
What year did stock car racing begin?
Organized stock-car racing began at Langhorne, Pennsylvania, in 1939. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), founded in 1947 at Daytona Beach, Florida, gave the sport its first formal organization.
Why is NASCAR still called stock car racing?
It originally used production-model cars, hence the name "stock car", but is now run using cars specifically built for racing. It originates from the United States and Canada; the world's largest governing body is the American NASCAR.
Is stock car racing the same as NASCAR?
Today, stock cars are more like race cars as they are built specifically for the track, needing to meet a strict set of regulations set out by professional racing leagues such as NASCAR [source: Economic Expert]. Stock cars are used in automobile racing appropriately called stock-car racing.
When did NASCAR quit using stock cars?
The Strictly Stock cars were used until 1966 when NASCAR ordered its first significant competition change to the Grand National Division.
Why do NASCAR's have fake headlights?
One key reason for this is to protect other drivers on the track. If a car got into a crash during a race with real headlights, the glass would likely break causing debris to cover the track and could lead to even more damage by puncturing other car's tires.
When did NASCAR stop using big blocks?
In 1971, NASCAR handicapped the larger engines with a restrictor plate. By 1972, NASCAR phased in a rule to lower the maximum engine displacement from 429 cubic inches (7.0 liters) to its present 358 cubic inches (5.8 liters).
Are Formula 1 cars faster than NASCAR?
These cars can achieve the top speed of just over or 212mph, accelerating from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds. In addition, while F1 cars reach 200mph in just 9 seconds, NASCAR vehicles will only attain 160mph in that same duration. In short, F1 cars are faster than NASCAR cars in terms of outright top speed.
What did NASCAR used to be called?
The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, and from 1950 to 1970 it was known as the Grand National Division. In 1971, when the series began leasing its naming rights to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, it was referred to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series (1971–2003).
Is Formula 1 bigger than NASCAR?
With Formula 1 attendance achieving around 4 million people per year in total, and NASCAR achieving around 3.5 million people per year. According to statistics the global TV viewership's for Formula 1 in 2019 stood at 471 million. The same source claims that TV viewership for NASCAR stood at 2.92 million in 2019.
What happens to old NASCAR stock cars?
Crumpled frames and engines are sent to scrapyards like Gordon or Foil's, Inc., in Harrisburg, N.C., where they are flattened, then ripped into hand-size pieces that will be milled back into new steel. And some of that steel can end up back in a race shop.
How much is a old NASCAR car?
You Can Buy a Real NASCAR Race Car for Less Than $30,000 You can buy a real life race car that used to compete in NASCAR, and it will cost you less than a fully loaded Honda Accord. Yep, Kurt Busch's old Ford Taurus race car is on Ebay this week, and the Buy It Now price is only $29,900.
Does NASCAR still use stock cars?
The Modern Stock Car Generation 6, which began in 2013, is the first time in a long time that NASCAR cars looked like stock cars. Chevy, Toyota, and Ford are the current leaders in racing as they are manufacturing stock cars that are modified, but still look like they were just driven out of the factory.
Where was stock car racing first organized?
Organized stock-car racing began at Langhorne, Pennsylvania, in 1939. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), founded in 1947 at Daytona Beach, Florida, gave the sport its first formal organization.
What is stock car racing?
Stock-car racing, form of automobile racing, popular in the United States, in which cars that conform externally to standard U.S. commercial types are raced, usually on oval, paved tracks.
What organizations sponsored stock car races in the 1970s?
By the 1970s several other organizations, including the United States Auto Club (USAC), also sponsored stock-car races. Automotive companies often sponsor racing teams in order to test performance and safety equipment. For a list of NASCAR winners, see table. Britannica Quiz. All About Auto Racing Quiz.
When did stock car racing start?
Although NASCAR has for the past 60 years been the undisputed leader of the sport, the reality is that stock car racing, like all of racing, had its origins in 1896.
When did NASCAR start?
52 years to be exact. Beginnings: The very first known race among “horseless carriages” occurred in September of 1896, in a horse-racing track in Narrangansett Park in Rhode Island.
What happened to Daytona Beach in 1936?
The City of Daytona Beach was heartbroken. The speed trials had brought a lot of publicity and fan fare to the beach, and they didn’t want to let it slip away. So, in 1936, instead of holding speed trials, they held, ran and promoted by the city, a race. Sources:
When was the first Daytona 500?
During the early part of the 1900’s, speed trials were typically run in February (Hence why Speed Weeks and the Daytona 500 have always been in February), the first in 1903 in nearby Ormond Beach.
When did the AAA leave racing?
The Contest Board dissolved and AAA left racing following the 1955 Le Mans tragedy. To the Contest Board, AAA races were the only races that mattered.
Did the first stock car race have a bootlegger?
Yes, the very first “stock” car races were actually illegal street races run with heavily modified bootlegger cars (The general favorite was the Ford V-8), built for hauling so much liquor the rear end would be unusually high when it wasn’t hauling anything. More on this will come in the next article.
Is AAA a sponsor of NASCAR?
Yes, the AAA that today is best known for helping its members out when they and their car is in trouble on the highway, and 100 years later ironically became a NASCAR sponsor, was at one point the premier racing organization in America.
When was the Mooresville symbol proposed?
Students presented the idea at a meeting of the Mooresville Board of Commissioners on February 21, 2011. Board members voted unanimously to support the efforts to propose the new symbol to the North Carolina General Assembly.
When was the NC bill passed?
The bill passed the North Carolina General Assembly on June 16, 2011 and was signed by Governor Bev Perdue on June 21, 2011 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Special guests included fourth and fifth grade students and NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees.
What is stock car racing?
Stock car racing was originally a competition between cars that hadn't been altered from their original factory build. But as times changed and technology advanced, the sport evolved. These days, the cars still have a semistock build, but they're a bit different under the hood than the cars on your local dealer's lot.
When was the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing formed?
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) formed in 1948 to give congruency to the many leagues that had sprung up around the country. Today, stock car racing is a well-governed sport. Advertisement.
What was Bill France's contribution to NASCAR?
Creating NASCAR was only the beginning of Bill France's contributions to the sport of stock car racing. He also built two of the most famous tracks in the business, Daytona International Speedway and Alabama International Speedway at Talladega.
What has NASCAR done to maintain the original sport?
NASCAR has done what it can to maintain the integrity of the original sport. When the "aero wars" of the '70s put two automotive giants consistently in the winner's circle, NASCAR stepped in to level the playing field by placing restrictions on all cars.
When was the first NASCAR track paved?
In fact, during NASCAR's inaugural season in 1949, all but one of the tracks was dirt. The 4.15-mile (6.68-kilometer) Beach & Road Course in Daytona Beach, Fla., was the only one that was partially paved. Darlington Raceway opened its doors in 1950 as the first fully paved track on the NASCAR schedule.
What is the number one spectator sport in the United States?
Advertisement. NASCAR is the No.1 spectator sport in the United States and the second most popular televised sport broadcast worldwide [source: NASCAR ]. It continues to grow in popularity, and roughly 40 percent of its fan base is now female [source: Wise ].
What was the role of prohibition in stock car racing?
Prohibition's Role in Stock Car Racing. In 1920, the 18th Amendment banned the production and possession of alcohol, and Prohibition officially began. Strangely enough, drinking alcohol wasn't illegal, so many people went ahead and made their own liquor, known as moonshine.
What is stock car racing?
Stock car racing is a popular form of automobile racing in the United States. It uses production cars which are customized for racing purposes. The race events are usually done on an oval, paved tracks and racers are pushed to the limits over a great number of laps.
What is a stock car?
Stock Cars. Originally, a stock car is an automobile that has not been modified from its original factory configuration. But later on, the term stock car meant any production-based automobile used in racing. The standards of stock cars have changed over the years and it now varies from country to country.
How does stock car racing differ from rally racing?
It’s because stock cars are much heavier than Formula One cars, meaning, they are generally slower and they cannot produce the g-forces of an open wheel car.
What is the largest governing body in stock car racing?
The largest governing body in stock racing is the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing or NASCAR. It organizes premiere racing events such as the Daytona 500, Southern 500, and Sprint Cup Series.
How many fans does stock car racing have?
Today, stock car racing annually draws ten million fans in America. Its fans are also loyal to the brands their favorite driver is sponsored by.
How fast is a stock car race?
The race speeds also depend on the track but they are typically 90 miles per hour to over 200 miles per hour.
What is a late model car?
Late Model. This is known as the highest class of stock cars when it comes to local racing. The rules of construction of a late model car depend from region to region or race track to race track. Some of the common variations are super late models, late model stock cars, and limited late models.
When did Mitsubishi introduce stock racing?
They first introduced Showroom Stock racing in 1972 as a cost-saving class for amateurs, setting a price cap for cars at a mere $3000. The next big move occurred a decade later. “Mitsubishi came to the U.S. in the fall of 1982—asked me about a way to go racing inexpensively,” recalls longtime racer Dave Wolin.
How many races were there in 1998?
Drivers from the Grand Sport ranks started to defect to an upstart group called Motorola Cup. As a result, only six races could be found on the schedule in 1998. That was Professional SportsCar Racing’s last year for sanctioning street stock racing.
When did the RA-1 tire become a spec tire?
The Toyo Proxes RA-1 became IMSA’s spec tire starting with the 1995 season, necessitating a name change. The series became the IMSA Endurance Championship, but a lot of racers simply called the series Toyohawk.
What was the name of the sponsor of the IMSA in the 90s?
With the new ownership came a new title sponsor: Speedvision.
When did NASCAR downsize its wheelbase?
It was kind of in conjunction with the oil crisis and that Detroit was starting to downsize their engines. So NASCAR, like in 1981 when they downsized their car to a 110-inch wheelbase, they were just in line with what Detroit was doing. It was standardized at 358 cubic inches and had a carburetor, and that’s what it is today.
What was the only thing that was matching a stock factory body piece?
At that point the only thing matching a stock factory body piece was the roof and the hood. Everything else was completely hand fabricated. In fact, until 2003, the hood, roof, and decklid were still required to be identical to their stock counterparts.
What is the name of the car that was made to eke out extra miles per hour?
Thus, specialty cars like the aptly named Ford Fairlane 500 and Dodge Charger 500 came on the scene. Advances to aerodynamics originally intended to eke out some extra miles per hour on the super speedways found themselves on production-built vehicles.
How many cars are needed to be produced in NASCAR?
Popularized by unprecedented media coverage, OEMs were motivated to adhere to NASCAR’s rule stating that at least 500 cars had to be produced, or as many as one car for every make’s dealership in the nation had to be sold to the general public to allow it to be raced.
Who was the NASCAR director who imposed strict regulations on chassis?
Realizing that OEMs were unrestrained by budgetary constraints, NASCAR director Bill France Jr. began implementing strong regulations that would restrict chassis, powertrains and body styles could compete in the circuit in help level the playing field to a level where other manufacturers might be able to compete.
Why did the 1970s use beams?
Beams were used to tie the front and rear subframes together which made it far safer and gave much more secure points to mount the roll cage. After that, things slowly evolved into rolling race chassis. The stock front clip of the car was used into the early 1970’s but the remainder of the car was fabricated.
How did prohibition give birth to NASCAR?
How Prohibition Gave Birth to NASCAR. It wasn’t gasoline—but moonshine—that fueled the growth of stock car racing in Appalachia and led to the rise of NASCAR. It wasn’t gasoline—but mo onshine—that fueled the growth of stock car racing in Appalachia and led to the rise of NASCAR. Even after Junior Johnson tore up dirt tracks across ...
Who was the first person to put together a legitimate racing team?
That included Raymond Parks , “the first person to put together a formalized, legitimate racing team,” says Thompson. Parks ran away from his home in the mountains of northern Georgia at age 14 to become an apprentice to a moonshiner he had met in the county jail after being locked up for buying hooch for his father.
Who won the 160 mile modified race for Parks?
pinterest-pin-it. Roy Hall (center) and Raymond Parks (right) after Hall won the 160-mile modified race for Parks. (Credit: ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images/Raymond Park Collection) The Georgia bootlegger didn’t have to venture far to find two talented drivers for his racing team.
