| One of the biggest events on America's sporting | | | | have won it. The most successful driver ever in the |
| calendar and the most important of NASACAR's | | | | NASCAR Cup Series was Richard Petty, who won |
| racing series is the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. | | | | twenty seven races back in 1967. He was the son of |
| Nextel took over sponsorship of the NASACAR Cup | | | | previous NASCAR Cup Series champion Lee Petty. |
| Series back in 2004. The series was previously called | | | | The NASCAR Cup Series has been vital in promoting |
| the Grand National and later, the NASCAR Winston | | | | the sport of racing, which started out on dirt tracks |
| Cup Series. After taking over sponsorship, the Cup | | | | with little reward. Richard Petty was the first driver |
| Series was changed to give new NASACAR drivers a | | | | to earn over $100,000 in a NASCAR Cup Series. |
| better chance and also to make it more competitive. | | | | Winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series depends not |
| The NASCAR Nextel Cup "Race to the Chase" was | | | | only on the skills of the drivers but also on designers |
| established which added more excitement, much like | | | | who work year round on improving cars for |
| a "playoff" system. After 26 races the top ten | | | | participation in the series, and on the dedicated crews |
| drivers in points are eligible to compete for the Cup in | | | | who support cars as they race for the cup. These |
| the last 10 races of the season. As with other | | | | days, NASCAR crew chiefs use computer simulations, |
| NASCAR series, the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series | | | | to help them judge how cars are likely to perform in |
| rewards drivers can for wins and for laps led. Five | | | | the series. Most agree that the most important thing |
| bonus points are awarded to drivers who lead a | | | | is a strong, durable engine, which can make all the |
| whole lap during a race. | | | | difference when it comes to winning the NASCAR |
| A separate Chase for the Championship is operated | | | | cup. |
| by the Nextel Cup Owner's Championship and the | | | | Nextel's sponsorship of the NASCAR Cup Series has |
| Nextel Cup Driver's Championship. Over the course of | | | | helped to revive corporate interest in the |
| a cup series it is quite common for driver's points to | | | | telecommunications company. Nextel was recently |
| differ from owner's points. It is rare for drivers and | | | | purchased by the Sprint corporation to become |
| owners to be the same people in the NASCAR | | | | Sprint Nextel. It is expected that this will result in |
| Nextel Cup Series. This fact is due to the structure | | | | next year's premiere racing competition being |
| of the modern NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races | | | | renamed from the NASCAR Cup Series to the |
| tending to favour racing teams that own multiple | | | | NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. NASCAR continues to |
| cars. | | | | reinvent itself to appeal to the masses, to provide |
| The NASCAR Cup Series began in 1950, when it was | | | | increased value to it's sponsors and to provide more |
| won by Bill Rexford, still the youngest person ever to | | | | safety to the drivers. |