| The history of NASCAR is one riddled with influential | | | | Speedway which was built in 1909. The Daytona |
| people. More than most professional sports, NASCAR | | | | International Speedway was built in 1959 and at 2.5 |
| was founded and has been maintained through the | | | | miles is now the most famous on the NEXTEL Cup |
| work of a few special individuals, none more special | | | | Circuit. |
| than William France, Sr. | | | | The Modern Times |
| The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing | | | | The history of NASCAR took a new turn in the |
| (NASCAR) was founded by France on February 21st, | | | | 1970s with the introduction of a revised points |
| 1948. France, together with other drivers, designed a | | | | system and new commercial sponsorships. The R.J. |
| points system that would become the foundation of | | | | Reynolds Tobacco Company was one of the |
| NASCAR racing. As early as 1948, the schedule | | | | commercial businesses that took advantage of the |
| consisted of 52 modified races that were run on dirt | | | | increased popularity of the sport. |
| tracks. The first National Championship was won by | | | | In 1979, the Daytona 500 was shown on CBS, |
| Red Byron. | | | | making it the first NASCAR race to be shown from |
| The Beginnings | | | | start to finish on television. Going into the last lap, |
| Named its first commissioner, Erwin "Cannonball" | | | | leaders Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison got into a |
| Baker had a big impact on the history of NASCAR. | | | | wreck, allowing a third driver to pass them both for |
| An accomplished racer who set dozens of land speed | | | | the win. Yarborough and Allison got into a fistfight, |
| records himself (hence his nickname), Baker allowed | | | | and the drama and emotion that was shown in that |
| almost no changes to the cars that were raced. | | | | race might be the defining moment in the history of |
| Glenn Dunnaway became the first NASCAR driver to | | | | NASCAR. Its popularity has steadily increased since. |
| be disqualified after it was discovered that he had | | | | NASCAR counts today amongst the most popular |
| altered the rear springs in his cars. However, over a | | | | sports in the USA. It is hugely profitable for the |
| 10-15 year period, modifications were allowed for | | | | participants as well, with at least million in prize money |
| safety and performance periods, until by the | | | | up for grabs at every race in the NEXTEL Cup Series. |
| mid-1960s almost all stock cars were built solely for | | | | The NEXTEL Cup is run over 36 races. The sport is |
| the purpose of racing them. | | | | so popular that the successful drivers have millions of |
| Almost all races were held on tracks that were | | | | devoted fans that watch every single race and |
| between half a mile and a mile long. Some tracks that | | | | spend a lot of money on fan gear every year. In a |
| are still in use are the Martinsville Speedway and the | | | | way, the history of NASCAR is still in the writing. |
| Darlington Raceway, as well as the Indianapolis Motor | | | | |