| R history is filled with influential people. A few | | | | Even the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has |
| influential individuals, including William France, Sr., have | | | | been in existence since 1909, is still being used. |
| been responsible for creating the sport and taking it | | | | However, the most famous race track of the |
| to where it is today. | | | | NEXTEL Cup Series, the Daytona International |
| The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing | | | | Speedway was built in 1959, with a length of 2.5 |
| (NASCAR) was founded by France on February 21st, | | | | miles. |
| 1948. France, together with other drivers, designed a | | | | The Later Years |
| points system that would become the foundation of | | | | In the early 1970s, the history of NASCAR took a |
| NASCAR racing. As early as 1948, the schedule | | | | dramatic turn. It increased in popularity due in large |
| consisted of 52 modified races that were run on dirt | | | | part to an altered points system as well as new |
| tracks. The first National Championship was won by | | | | sponsorship including the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco |
| Red Byron. | | | | Company. |
| The Beginnings | | | | In 1979, the Daytona 500 was shown on CBS, |
| Named its first commissioner, Erwin "Cannonball" | | | | making it the first NASCAR race to be shown from |
| Baker had a big impact on the history of NASCAR. | | | | start to finish on television. Going into the last lap, |
| An accomplished racer who set dozens of land speed | | | | leaders Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison got into a |
| records himself (hence his nickname), Baker allowed | | | | wreck, allowing a third driver to pass them both for |
| almost no changes to the cars that were raced. | | | | the win. Yarborough and Allison got into a fistfight, |
| Glenn Dunnaway became the first NASCAR driver to | | | | and the drama and emotion that was shown in that |
| be disqualified after it was discovered that he had | | | | race might be the defining moment in the history of |
| altered the rear springs in his cars. However, over a | | | | NASCAR. Its popularity has steadily increased since. |
| 10-15 year period, modifications were allowed for | | | | NASCAR counts today amongst the most popular |
| safety and performance periods, until by the | | | | sports in the USA. It is hugely profitable for the |
| mid-1960s almost all stock cars were built solely for | | | | participants as well, with at least million in prize money |
| the purpose of racing them. | | | | up for grabs at every race in the NEXTEL Cup Series. |
| Most NASCAR race tracks were from half a mile to | | | | The NEXTEL Cup is run over 36 races. The sport is |
| a mile long, and the action in a relatively compact | | | | so popular that the successful drivers have millions of |
| area added to the excitement of the sport. Some of | | | | devoted fans that watch every single race and |
| the earlier tracks, such as the Martinsville Speedway | | | | spend a lot of money on fan gear every year. In a |
| and the Darlington Raceway are still in use today. | | | | way, the history of NASCAR is still in the writing. |