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