History of Stock Car Racing

First Signs of Stock Racing

Mar 8, 1936

First Formal Race
One of the first formal races in which 27 cars began the race and only 10 survived and no one was close to the finish line.

Beginning of NASCAR

Dec 14, 1947

NASCAR
This association was started by Bill France in order to organize the growing sport.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Jan 1, 1949

Sprint Cup
This cup series is born as a "Strictly Stock" division and becomes what is now North America's premier motor sports circuit.

First Kind of Sponsership

Jan 1, 1950

Sponsership
As the sport started to gain popularity, car manufacturers backed the drivers up by paying the driver to race the manufacturer's car.

Tracks

Jan 1, 1950

First Paved Track
Darlington Raceway became the first fully paved superspeedway track.

First 500

Sep 4, 1950

First 500
NASCAR has its first 500 mile race a Darlington Raceway.

First Race Outside US

Jul 1, 1952

Foreign Race
The first foreign NASCAR race outside the US was held at Stamford Park, Ontario.

Accident

Jun 6, 1957

Casualties
Six people were injured, including an eight-year-old boy, by flying debris and in response car manufacturers pulled out of racing.

"Super Bowl" of Stock Car Racing

Feb 15, 1959

Daytona
The Daytona Int'l Speedway track debuts and becomes home to the famous Daytona 500.

NASCAR Televised

Jul 16, 1961

Televised
Tow hours of the Firecracker 250 is televised by ABC as it became part of ABC's wide world of sports.

Racial Win

Dec 1, 1963

Wendell
Wendell Scott become the first Black American to win a NASCAR race.

Powerful Engines

Jan 1, 1964

Hemi
A more powerful engine is introduced by Chrysler known as the 'hemi' and dominates the competition, but it is later outlawed in the sport because of the unfairness and in only one season.

New Technology

Jun 1, 1967

Aerodynamics
Manufacturers were trying to make their cars faster and resorted to aerodynamics to do so. It was mainly a battle between Ford and Chrysler.

New Longer Track

Sep 14, 1969

Longest Track
The Alabama Int'l Speedway track becomes the longest track at 2.66 miles and still is to this day.

More than 200 MPH

Mar 21, 1970

200+MPH
Buddy Baker breaks the 200 MPH mark.

Restricitons

Jun 1, 1970

Slowing Down
Restrictor Plates are requiered by some cars in order for them not to go at such dangerous speeds.

Last Dirt Race

Sep 30, 1970

Last Race
The State Fairgrounds Speedway becomes home to the last dirt race of NASCAR.

Series Champion

Nov 18, 1979

Richard Petty wins the 7 champion series of NASCAR.

Milestone

Apr 30, 1987

Track Record
A Ford Thunderbird reaches the top speed of 212.8 MPH at the Talladega track and was driven by Bill Elliot.

All of NASCAR Televised

Jan 1, 1989

Races Televised
All of NASCAR's Cup Series races are televised.

Driver Safety

Feb 2, 2001

New Safety Measures
In response to Dale's death, NASCAR requiered that all of its drivers to use the Head And Neck Suppord Device that prevents the neck from going forward in the event of an accident.

Tragedy

Feb 18, 2001

Fatal Crash
Dale Earnhardt is involved in a crash at the Daytona 500 and dies from trauma injuries.

Safer Barriers

May 1, 2002

SAFER
The Steel And Foam Energy Reduction barrier is installed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in order to lessen impact energy and reduce injuries.

Fatality

Aug 16, 2007

Fatality
John Blewett III dies in an accident at the Thompson Int'l Speedway.

Green NASCAR

Jan 1, 2011

New Fuel
NASCAR switches to "green" fuel in three of its touring series in order to reduce pollution and emission impact.