NASCAR Fans--Do you know the history of your sport?

Fascinating background of NASCAR is an American success story

 

Stop by the pit at The-NASCAR-Circuit when you finish this article for more news and information about NASCAR,

The close of World War II had an impact on the beginning of NASCAR. At the finish of the war, the call for for new autos in the United States of America made a considerable leap with the reappearance of the military personnel. The manufacturing power that created the “weapons of war” shifted to building motorcars. Next came the arrival on the marketplace of fast, brawny and robust cars which were relished by the young people of the time. The American West was impassioned for the "sports" cars, the Midwest for those with uncovered wheels, while the South-east picked the stock cars. A number of these were custom-made to carry out the illegal alcohol traffic and utilized in the "contests" that sprung up all over the South.

The American zeal for auto racing that developed in the 1940’s did not elude the attention of boosters who promptly made an "official" event out of it, creating quite a few organizations, each with their own system. Then on December 14, 1947, Bill France, decided to gather with thirty five of the leaders of all racing associations in place to draw the lines of what was going to become the American national automobile sport. It required four times for the group to finalize on all the regulations, to pick the name of NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) and the Association was ultimately officially born on February 21, 1948.

The inaugural competitions of what was to finally turn into the NASCAR series were conducted in 1948 with customized pre-war autos, which later became the "modified" series. Some important milestones for the NASCAR Racing world across the decades include:

--The initial 500 mile race takes place at Darlington in 1950

--The 1st Daytona 500 takes place at Daytona International Speedway in 1959.

--1st TV report by CBS in 1960.

--Buddy Baker goes past the 200 mph limitation at Talladega in 1970.

--A Gallup poll reveals that 28% of People follow racing in 1976.

 

From grass roots beginnings in the deep Southland, NASCAR racing has developed to huge heights through the whole uS. Through the many years, from the inaugural races attended in 1948, NASCAR has become arguably the most watched spectator competition in America. NASCAR, with the current NEXTEL Cup and Busch series, counts 75 million rabid followers. Interesting demographics show that 40% of fans are ladies and 53% function in white-collar or skilled labor jobs. Not your average racing fan that virtually all people expect. The other areas of fan interest are strong also; annual attendance at races is In excess of 7 million, more than of 275 million Race fans follow on the tube, and the product market tops $2 billion. Internet sites have also appeared carrying key NASCAR news items.

How does NASCAR trace its beginnings back to bootlegging? The business of bootlegging kept going even after the conclusion of the Prohibition days, as a result of the large tax laid on whiskey on repeal of the Volstead Act in 1933. As bootlegging prospered , the drivers commenced to contend between themselves to determine who had the fastest cars. The bootleggers raced on Sunday afternoons and then used the same autos to cart moonshine Sunday night. As more and more observers came to watch the races, racing moonshine cars became highly popular in the backroads of the South.

Fans who closely watch the NASCAR sport ascribe several factors for its incredible popularity over the decades. One significant cause is a convention that virtually no other spectator event equals. Every week, the tp[ teams (drivers) are fighting directly against each other. Unlike, for instance the NFL, where you might have to hold off weeks for a big contest between leading teams, you can observe number 1 versus number 2 every week. It’s literally like getting the World Series of this sport every week.

NASCAR history has evolved to a point where racing is no longer a spectator sport just for Southern "rednecks". The success of the sport has developed from its Southeastern beginnings to places nationwide creating NASCAR fans all throughout the nation. NEXTEL Cup competitions are now held in New Hampshire, Michigan, California, Arizona, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Texas and Nevada. There have even been exhibition races attended in Japan and other international locations.

The roots of NASCAR in the “bootlegging” era and the modest start of many of its original headliners seems to be motivating to devotees now. In this era of the spoiled, pampered, arrogant pro athlete, NASCAR racing devotees appear to be searching for a normal, more grounded kind of champion to give their loyalty to.



Home   |    Articles Index