The history of NASCAR can trace its roots back to 1947. In December of that year Bill France and a group of lawyers, mechanics, businessmen and others met to discuss an organized set of rules that could be established for racing automobiles. On February 21, 1948 the organization known as The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), was created. Under a skeleton set of rules, drivers competed with modified cars in 52 races throughout the southeast US. The modified champion of that competition was Red Byron[1]
pre-NASCAR
editThe first known and recorded race between self powered vehicles happened during the year 1867 in Ashton-under-Lyne England. Isaac Watt Boulton defeated Daniel Adamson in their self made steam powered autos. The race went a distance of 8 miles, and concluded in Old Trafford[2]
NASCAR birth
editNASCAR was conceived in 1947 and started in 1949.[1]
In May of 1949 Bill France announced a 150 mile Strictly Stock race at the 3/4 mile Charlotte Speedway.[3] On May 15th Red Byron captured another modified victory at the Charlotte track.
On June 19 over 13,000 spectators looked on as Glenn Dunnaway finishes first in his 1946 Ford. But Dunnaway's victory is short-lived as the former moonshine running car is disqualified for an illegal set of springs, and Jim Roper is announced the winner in his Lincoln. Houston Lawing, NASCAR's Publicity Director, stated that over 5000 fans were unable to attend due to a sold out grandstand.[3]
NASCAR divisions
editCurrently there are three primary tiers of NASCAR:
- Tier one - Monster Energy Black
- Tier two - Xfinity Dark Red
- Tier three - Gander Outdoors Blue
Watershed years
edit- 1949 Tier 1 NASCAR Strictly Stock Series
- 1950 Tier 1 Grand National Series (1950-1970)
- 1950 Tier 2 Sportsman Division (1950-1967) - Late Model Sportsman Division (1968-1981)
- 1956 the NASCAR Convertible Division begins.
- 1959 the NASCAR Convertible Division's last season. (although special Memorial Day races are run for convertibles through 1962.)
- 1971 Tier 1 name change to sponsor Winston Cup Grand National (1971-1985) - Winston Cup (1986-2003)
- 1982 Tier 2 name change to sponsor Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series (1982-1983)
- 1984 Tier 2 name change to sponsor Busch Grand National Series (1984-1994) - Busch Series Grand National (1995-2003) - Busch Series (2004-2007)
- 1995 Tier 3 SuperTruck Series by Craftsman (1995), the Craftsman Truck Series (1996-2008)
- 2004 Tier 1 name change to sponsor Nextel Cup (2004-2007)
- 2008 Tier 1 name change to sponsor Sprint Cup (2008-2016)
- 2008 Tier 2 name change to sponsor Nationwide Series (2008-2014)
- 2009 Tier 3 name change to sponsor Camping World Truck Series (2009-2018)
- 2015 Tier 2 name change to Xfinity Series (2015 - present)
- 2017 Tier 1 name and sponsor change to Monster Energy (2017 - present)
- 2019 Tier 3 name and sponsor change to Gander Outdoors Truck Series Page (2019 - present)
working links
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Ben White (2 August 2010). NASCAR Then and Now. Motorbooks. ISBN 978-1-61060-101-6. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ editors of Grace's Guide. "Isaac Watt Boulton". Grace's Guide to British Industrial History. Grace's Guide Ltd. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
{{cite web}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ^ a b The auto editors of Consumer Reports. "1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock Recap". How Stuff Works. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
{{cite web}}:|last1=has generic name (help)
Bibliography
editSources
editsee also
editsee also: