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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. -
NASCAR
This association was started by Bill France in order to organize the growing sport. -
Sprint Cup
This cup series is born as a "Strictly Stock" division and becomes what is now North America's premier motor sports circuit. -
Sponsership
As the sport started to gain popularity, car manufacturers backed the drivers up by paying the driver to race the manufacturer's car. -
First Paved Track
Darlington Raceway became the first fully paved superspeedway track. -
First 500
NASCAR has its first 500 mile race a Darlington Raceway. -
Foreign Race
The first foreign NASCAR race outside the US was held at Stamford Park, Ontario. -
Casualties
Six people were injured, including an eight-year-old boy, by flying debris and in response car manufacturers pulled out of racing. -
Daytona
The Daytona Int'l Speedway track debuts and becomes home to the famous Daytona 500. -
Televised
Tow hours of the Firecracker 250 is televised by ABC as it became part of ABC's wide world of sports. -
Wendell
Wendell Scott become the first Black American to win a NASCAR race. -
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. -
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. -
Longest Track
The Alabama Int'l Speedway track becomes the longest track at 2.66 miles and still is to this day. -
200+MPH
Buddy Baker breaks the 200 MPH mark. -
Slowing Down
Restrictor Plates are requiered by some cars in order for them not to go at such dangerous speeds. -
Last Race
The State Fairgrounds Speedway becomes home to the last dirt race of NASCAR. -
Richard Petty wins the 7 champion series of NASCAR.
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Track Record
A Ford Thunderbird reaches the top speed of 212.8 MPH at the Talladega track and was driven by Bill Elliot. -
Races Televised
All of NASCAR's Cup Series races are televised. -
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. -
Fatal Crash
Dale Earnhardt is involved in a crash at the Daytona 500 and dies from trauma injuries. -
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
John Blewett III dies in an accident at the Thompson Int'l Speedway. -
New Fuel
NASCAR switches to "green" fuel in three of its touring series in order to reduce pollution and emission impact.
