So, a bunch of guys go screaming around a track at 200 miles an hour and people go completely bonkers. Why? Who are the drivers and the fans? Most importantly, why has NASCAR become the United States’ favorite pastime? This article will let you know how dirty old stock-car racing has become the hottest thing in the land.
What Defines a Stock Car?
By definition, a stock car is one that has its parts
unchanged from how it left the Automotive factory. As far as NASCAR goes, that
definition is true in a very vague sense. Car manufacturers such as Chevrolet,
Ford, Honda, etc., work individually with racing teams to help create cars that
will adhere to NASCAR guidelines, yet produce the most speed and power. In
fact, the only parts of modern NASCAR cars that are factory stock are the hood, trunk lid, the roof, front grille and the
bumper panels. So, yes, it is called stock-car racing, but the odds of
Joe Sixpack being able to zip down to the corner store at 200 mph in a car
like Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s is fairly unlikely.
What is NASCAR?
Following World War II, stock car racing began a surge in
popularity across the U.S. With drivers racing at tracks throughout the South,
rules and track conditions tended to vary wildly from city to city. It was
during these wild days that stock-car racing’s “outlaw” image arose, as drivers
would bend, break or flat-out trample on rules to get a victory.
The brainchild of Bill France Sr., NASCAR stands for the
National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing and officially was created in
December of 1947, in order to help organize and sanction events. Racing legend
Red Byron won the first race and the lion’s share of the race’s $5,000 purse. By
1949, there were eight official races held, and NASCAR had its place in
society.