The most impressive crashes, the races decided at the last moment, the most intense disputes, all this contributes to making NASCAR what it is today. An event capable of generating more than 10 billion dollars a year and reaching audience ratings comparable to the most popular sports in the United States (today, more than 12 million homes follow the races).It’s time to know everything about NASCAR!
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All about NASCAR: the origins of the sport
NASCAR, or the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, has a rich and fascinating history dating back to the 1940s;
The organization was founded by Bill France Sr. on February 21, 1948 in Daytona Beach, Florida, a place that already had a long tradition of speed racing on its vast hard sand beaches.
Although the category is broadcast in more than 150 countries, including Brazil, this essentially North American characteristic, of a show conceived by them and for them, somewhat limits the event’s popularity around the world.
If you’re one of those who flips through the NASCAR channels but hasn’t stopped to watch, perhaps this text is for you;
Before NASCAR was officially founded, street car races were popular in the southern United States.
During the Prohibition era (1920-1933), moonshiners modified their cars to evade the police while illegally transporting alcoholic beverages.
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These vehicles had more powerful engines and reinforced suspension, characteristics that would later influence NASCAR racing cars. The first races organized by NASCAR took place in 1948, shortly after it was founded;
Bill France Sr.’s vision was to create an organization that would bring order and regulation to stock car racing, which until then had been rather disorganized and dangerous;
The first official NASCAR race was held on February 15, 1948, at the Daytona Beach Road Course, where Red Byron emerged victorious.
In the 1950s, NASCAR began to expand rapidly. The introduction of the Strictly Stock Division, which would later become the NASCAR Cup Series, marked a significant turning point;
The races began to attract large crowds, and the sport’s popularity grew exponentially.
The first Daytona 500 race was held in 1959, and the inauguration of the Daytona International Speedway cemented Daytona’s reputation as the “Speed Capital of the World”.
In the 1970s and 1980s, NASCAR continued to grow in popularity, with big names like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon becoming icons of the sport;
The introduction of corporate sponsorships and national television coverage helped turn NASCAR into one of the most popular sports in the United States.
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All about NASCAR: what is NASCAR?
Nascar, whose full name is the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is the North American version of Stock Car. It is a competition with cars that, at first glance, resemble street models.
What kind of cars are they?
Despite their visual resemblance to passenger cars, Nascar vehicles are specially prepared for racing;
They are equipped with extremely resistant fairings that mimic the models available in dealerships. The fairings are currently based on the Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry.
What engines do they use?
The cars use V8 racing engines with 750 hp and electronic injection. The automakers are involved in the process and develop their own racing engines, which are exclusive to these competitions;
As Thiago Alves warns, “there’s no point in going to the dealership and asking for a Fusion with a Nascar engine”. Right, got it.
Why do races take so long?
Firstly, because there are so many commercials on TV. American broadcasters take advantage of those 3.5 to 4 hours to sell a lot of commercials;
This is part of the nature of American sports. However, one of the attractions is that some of these commercials involve the drivers themselves, are generally entertaining and are well produced.
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All about NASCAR: differences to Stock Car
NASCAR and Stock Car are two of the main stock car racing series, but they have some distinct differences in terms of regulations, race structure and even their culture.
Here are some of the main differences:
| NASCAR | STOCK CAR |
| NASCAR is a stock car racing series that originated in the United States, with its main focus on the North American market. | Stock Car is the leading stock car racing series in Brazil, with races held all over the country. |
| Most NASCAR races take place on oval tracks, including super speedways and short tracks, which makes for a unique and highly competitive style of racing. | Stock Car races take place on a variety of circuits, including ovals, mixed circuits (a combination of oval and street sections) and street circuits, providing a variety of challenges for the drivers. |
| NASCAR races are generally longer compared to the Brazilian Stock Car. NASCAR features a variety of race formats, including stage races and the Chase for the Cup playoff system. | Stock Car races generally have a shorter duration compared to NASCAR, with most races being held on a single event day. |
| NASCAR cars are specially designed for competition on oval circuits, with bodies that resemble production cars. The engines are high-performance V8s, usually with around 750 horsepower. | Stock Car cars are based on production car models, but are heavily modified for competition. The engines are high-performance V8s with around 450 hp of power. |
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All about NASCAR: rules and regulations
The championship consists of 36 rounds in the regular season, including a long points phase followed by an elimination period known as the Chase for the Sprint Cup;
At the end of the season, only four drivers remain in contention for the title, and the winner is the first to cross the finish line in the last race.
NASCAR is governed by a detailed set of rules and regulations that guarantee the safety of drivers and fairness in competitions.
These standards cover all aspects of racing, from the construction of the cars to their behavior on the track.
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Car construction
- Technical specifications: the cars must meet strict specifications, including the type of engine (V8 with 750 hp), minimum weight, dimensions and aerodynamics.
- Safety: vehicles must be equipped with safety devices such as roll bars, pilot restraint systems and reinforced fuel tanks.
- Inspections: before and after the races, the cars undergo technical inspections to ensure compliance with the rules.
Race procedures
- Qualifying: the starting positions are determined by qualifying sessions. The format can vary, including individual fast laps or group sessions.
- Pits: pit stops are essential for refueling, changing tires and repairs. There are strict rules about the speed in the pits and the number of mechanics allowed to work on the car.
Flags
- Green: start or restart of the race.
- Yellow: caution, usually due to an accident or debris on the road.
- Red: complete stoppage of the race, usually due to a serious incident.
- White: last lap of the race.
- Chequered: end of the race.
Penalties
Drivers can be penalized for infractions such as speeding in the pits, unsportsmanlike conduct, or violation of technical rules. Penalties can include pit stops, loss of positions, fines or disqualification.
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Scoring system
NASCAR’s scoring system is designed to reward consistency, race performance and victories. The current system is divided into two main segments: the regular season and the playoffs. The scoring per race happens like this:
- Victory: 40 points
- 2nd Place: 35 points
- 3rd Place: 34 points
- From 4th to 40th place: the points decrease progressively
- Stage Points: races are divided into segments called “stages”. The top 10 in each stage receive additional points (10 for 1st, 9 for 2nd, and so on up to 10th who receives 1 point).
- Win bonus: each win in the regular season guarantees 5 bonus points for the playoffs.
Playoffs
The NASCAR playoffs, known as the “Chase for the Cup”, are made up of 10 final races, divided into three rounds and a final race.
Elimination rounds:
- Round of 16: 16 riders compete, and the 12 with the most points advance.
- Round of 12: 12 riders compete, and the 8 with the most points advance.
- Round of 8: 8 drivers compete, and the 4 with the most points advance to the final race.
- Final Race (Championship 4): the last race decides the champion of the season. Among the four finalists, the rider who finishes in the best position is crowned champion.
Bonus points
- Victory points: 5 additional points for each win in the regular season.
- Lap lead: drivers who lead at least one lap in a race earn 1 additional point. The driver who leads the most laps earns an extra point.
This system encourages drivers to compete for wins and lead laps during the regular season and playoffs, creating a balance between consistency and exceptional performance.
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All about NASCAR: the main drivers
NASCAR’s top drivers today are known as much for their skills on the track as for their significant contributions to the sport. Here are some of the most prominent names in the NASCAR Cup Series:
- Kurt Busch
- Kyle Busch
- Austin Dillon
- Tyler Reddick
- Alex Bowman
- William Byron
- Chase Elliott
- Kyle Larson
- Brad Keselowski
- Joey Logano
- Ryan Blaney
- Kevin Harvick
- Aric Almirola
- Chris Buescher
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Ryan Newman
- Ross Chastain
- Daniel Suárez
- Bubba Wallace
- Michael McDowell
- Chase Briscoe
- Cole Custer
- Anthony Alfredo
- Corey LaJoie
- Erik Jones
- Quin Houff
- BJ McLeod
- James Davison
- Cody Ware
- Garrett Smithley
This list is just a sample of the drivers competing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
There are many other drivers who take part in different NASCAR series, such as the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series, as well as drivers in smaller teams who occasionally take part in Cup Series races.
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All about NASCAR: the main teams
These are the teams currently competing in the NASCAR Cup Series:
- Hendrick Motorsports
- Joe Gibbs Racing
- Team Penske
- Stewart-Haas Racing
- Richard Childress Racing
- Roush Fenway Racing
- Chip Ganassi Racing
- Richard Petty Motorsports
- Front Row Motorsports
- JTG Daugherty Racing
- Wood Brothers Racing
- 23XI Racing
- Spire Motorsports
- Trackhouse Racing Team
- Team RFK
- Live Fast Motorsports
- Petty GMS Motorsports
- Kaulig Racing
- Gaunt Brothers Racing
- MBM Motorsports
- Our Motorsports
- Beard Motorsports
- Rick Ware Racing
- Motorsports Business Management
- BJ McLeod Motorsports
- Ware Racing Enterprises
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All about NASCAR: circuits and tracks
The NASCAR Cup Series includes a variety of circuits and tracks in its calendar. There are 4 different types that challenge drivers every season.
Meet the main ones:
Oval (oval tracks)
- Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Florida
- Charlotte Motor Speedway – Concord, North Carolina
- Bristol Motor Speedway – Bristol, Tennessee
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Texas Motor Speedway – Fort Worth, Texas
- Atlanta Motor Speedway – Hampton, Georgia
- Martinsville Speedway – Ridgeway, Virginia
- Richmond Raceway – Richmond, Virginia
- Phoenix Raceway – Avondale, Arizona
- Dover International Speedway – Dover, Delaware
- Homestead-Miami Speedway – Homestead, Florida
- Pocono Raceway – Long Pond, Pennsylvania
Mixed (Mixed circuits, including ovals and streets)
- Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval – Concord, North Carolina
- Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Circuit of the Americas (COTA) – Austin, Texas
- Watkins Glen International – Watkins Glen, New York
- Sonoma Raceway – Sonoma, California
Super Speedway (high-speed tracks)
- Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Florida
- Talladega Superspeedway – Talladega, Alabama
Short (Short tracks)
- Bristol Motor Speedway – Bristol, Tennessee
- Martinsville Speedway – Ridgeway, Virginia
- Richmond Raceway – Richmond, Virginia
The calendar may vary from year to year, with new additions and adjustments, but these are some of the tracks that NASCAR fans know and love!
All about NASCAR: globalization and technology
Modern NASCAR is a spectacle of speed, strategy and skill, with millions of fans around the world.
Today, NASCAR is broadcast in more than 150 countries and continues to evolve with the introduction of new technologies and regulations to improve safety and competitiveness.
This gave fans all over the world the opportunity to follow NASCAR’s exciting races and talented drivers.
NASCAR has also actively sought to expand its fan base beyond the borders of the United States through international events;
This includes organizing races in other countries, as well as recruiting international drivers to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series, increasing the diversity and global reach of the sport.
In terms of technology, NASCAR continues to innovate in order to increase driver safety and make the championship more competitive. Two main measures have currently been adopted:
Telemetry and data analysis
Telemetry and data analysis are essential tools in NASCAR racing. Sensors installed in the cars monitor a variety of parameters, such as engine temperature, tire pressure and fuel data;
This information is transmitted in real time to the engineers in the teams, allowing for precise adjustments during the race to maximize the car’s performance.
Security
Technology also plays a key role in driver safety in NASCAR.
Continuous advances in construction materials, restraint systems, helmets and protective equipment help to reduce the risk of injury in the event of accidents, ensuring a safer racing environment for everyone involved.
Did you enjoy learning all about NASCAR? If you like motorsport, read on:
- All about Stock Car: your complete guide to understanding the sport
- All about IndyCar: from the history to the future of the sport
