| NASCAR is an extremely popular racing event in the | | | | The engine should be 358 cubic inch V8. |
| United States and it is becoming more so every | | | | So you will not see those specially built pointy-nosed |
| single day. However, if you are new to the entire | | | | cars that run on formula-one races. Think of it as a |
| scene, things can no doubt be a little confusing. This | | | | throwback from the stock cars era and what |
| article is meant to sort all that out and set you on | | | | differentiates NASCAR from other races. |
| the path to becoming a true NASCAR fan. So let's | | | | Current eligible cars include the Dodge Charger, the |
| start with what NASCAR actually stands for and | | | | Toyota Camry and the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. |
| where it came from. | | | | Just to put things into perspective - a NASCAR car |
| A person called Billy France Sr. founded the NASCAR | | | | can generate over 750 horsepower in comparison to |
| on 21st February 1948. NASCAR stands for "National | | | | a showroom stock Chevy Corvette that can |
| Association for Stock Car Auto Racing". As you can | | | | generate only 400 horsepower with its V8 engine. |
| guess from the acronym, the races were meant to | | | | The NASCAR committee oversees the many |
| be between 'stock' cars. Stock cars are cars that | | | | NASCAR races that take place throughout the |
| have been built for general purpose driving and | | | | country. But you can start by looking at the top |
| definitely not for racing. To give you a better idea - | | | | three races to begin with: - |
| when you are buying a standard car from an auto | | | | 1. Sprint Cup Series |
| showroom you are buying a stock car. However, if | | | | 2. Nationwide Series |
| you have seen at least one NASCAR race or even | | | | 3. Craftsman Truck Series |
| seen the photos you will know that the cars that | | | | To make things even simpler, just remember that if |
| participate in the races now are anything but stock | | | | people are simply referring to the 'NASCAR' they are |
| cars. These cars have been built from the ground up | | | | probably talking about the Sprint Cup Series. That is |
| to be speed monsters. These cars are built for high | | | | because it is by far the most popular series in the |
| speed races. | | | | country. And the most popular race of this series is |
| Not all cars can qualify for the races either. The cars | | | | most definitely the Daytona 500. This race is so |
| need to have a standard American made four-door | | | | famous that it has numerous mentions in pop culture |
| form factor. They also must have fenders. This is | | | | like in movies and stories. The NASCAR itself has |
| very important because it allows cars to have | | | | many pop culture references and it also has a video |
| side-by-side contact without their wheels locking up | | | | game based on it, which regularly releases a new |
| and wrecking the cars. | | | | version. |
| There are highly specific requirements that NASCAR | | | | Like fans of other spectator sports, Nascar fans love |
| cars must meet. The specifications need a NASCAR | | | | to show their enthusiasm for the sport by proudly |
| car to weigh in at 3,400 pounds. A NASCAR car | | | | wearing the Nascar logo on their shirts and hats. |
| needs to have a wheelbase of exactly 110 inches. | | | | |