What started as a way to race stock cars on dirt tracks has now become America’s biggest and most-watched sporting event. It has quickly equaled and in many places has taken over even the NFL as the most watched sport. Nascar is huge today. For those of you wondering, Nascar stands for the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. There are many popular races organized by Nascar. There are more than 1,500 Nascar-sanctioned races, with the Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series, and Craftsman Series being the most common.

The history
It all started in the early days of the 19th century, when Daytona Beach became the scene of speed and racing cars. It had quickly become the place where speed records were broken every day. In fact, more than 15 records were set here in just a few years. Drivers then began to modify their cars to escape the ferocity of the police force. It was here that modified cars began to enter the racing circuit.

William France, Mr.
It was William France, Sr. who can be named the founding father of Nascar or the man who laid the foundation for it. William France, Sr. had traveled to Daytona Beach from Washington, DC to escape the Great Depression. He then entered the race event at Daytona Beach and finished fifth. He saw that too often drivers were lurking in the dark after sponsors took their money. They were left without paying most of the time after doing all the hard work.

This led him to the conclusion that a set of regulations, a governing body and an organized championship were necessary to improve the race and the drivers. This led to negotiations with various racing enthusiasts, and Nascar was formed on February 21, 1948.

The first races and rules
Can you believe Nascar’s first set of rules and point system were written on a parlor napkin? The first racing event sponsored by the optional body was held in Daytona Beach. But the first stock car race was held on June 19, 1949, at the Charlotte Speedway. Modifications to the car began after about six years after Nascar was formed. Soon bespoke vehicles began to appear on the circuit.

racing circuits
Some of the tracks used on the introductory racing circuits are still in use today. Martinsville Speedway is one of them. Darlington Raceway, which opened in 1950, is another. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is a popular track on the Nextel Cup Circuit, dates back to 1909!