| NASCAR history is filled with influential people. A few | | | | 1909, is still being used. However, the most famous |
| influential individuals, including William France, Sr., have | | | | race track of the NEXTEL Cup Series, the Daytona |
| been responsible for creating the sport and taking it | | | | International Speedway was built in 1959, with a |
| to where it is today. The National Association for | | | | length of 2.5 miles. The Later Years In the early |
| Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was founded by | | | | 1970s, the history of NASCAR took a dramatic turn. |
| France on February 21st, 1948. France, together with | | | | It increased in popularity due in large part to an |
| other drivers, designed a points system that would | | | | altered points system as well as new sponsorship |
| become the foundation of NASCAR racing. As early | | | | including the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. In |
| as 1948, the schedule consisted of 52 modified races | | | | 1979, the Daytona 500 was shown on CBS, making it |
| that were run on dirt tracks. The first National | | | | the first NASCAR race to be shown from start to |
| Championship was won by Red Byron. The Beginnings | | | | finish on television. Going into the last lap, leaders Cale |
| Named its first commissioner, Erwin "Cannonball" | | | | Yarborough and Donnie Allison got into a wreck, |
| Baker had a big impact on the history of NASCAR. | | | | allowing a third driver to pass them both for the win. |
| An accomplished racer who set dozens of land speed | | | | Yarborough and Allison got into a fistfight, and the |
| records himself (hence his nickname), Baker allowed | | | | drama and emotion that was shown in that race |
| almost no changes to the cars that were raced. | | | | 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. Most NASCAR race | | | | so popular that the successful drivers have millions of |
| tracks were from half a mile to a mile long, and the | | | | devoted fans that watch every single race and |
| action in a relatively compact area added to the | | | | spend a lot of money on fan gear every year. In a |
| excitement of the sport. Some of the earlier tracks, | | | | way, the history of NASCAR is still in the writing. |
| such as the Martinsville Speedway and the Darlington | | | | NASCAR Fan? At you can watch and relive the |
| Raceway are still in use today. Even the Indianapolis | | | | drama of NASCAR crashes. |
| Motor Speedway, which has been in existence since | | | | |