NASCAR Begins

The Origin of NASCAR

Dec 1, 1947

The Very BeginningNASCAR started during the prohibition era. It began with people trying to get away from federal tax agents.

NASCAR Comes Together

Jun 19, 1948

FounderNASCAR's First RaceBill France Sr. started NASCAR in 1948. He was a racecar driver himself. NASCAR is an abreviation for Natioinal Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

NASCAR

Period: Jun 19, 1948 to Jan 1, 2014

First Race

Jun 19, 1949

First RaceOriginally NASCAR was split up into three divisions, modified, roadster, and stictly stock. The first race was held 1949 at Charlotte Speedway in North Carolina with strictly stock cars.

End of First Season

Oct 16, 1949

Strictly Stock SeriesThe first complete season included eight races and two exhibition races. The first season champion is Red Byron with 117.5 points ahead of second place. He started 6 races only winning 2.

Long Race

Dec 5, 1949

500 MilesPreparing for the next year, Darlington Raceway president tries to get Bill France to hold a 500 mile race, but France turns the offer down. He was not confident that the cars could go the full 500 miles.

Getting Specific

Dec 16, 1949

Rules Apply Judge Hayes dimisses a lawsuit given by Hubert Westmoreland (mechanic). Now NASCAR is given the opportunity to disqualify cars that do not pass the technical specifications. NASCAR then created a set of regulations, a standard schedule, and a series of organized championships.

Strictly Stock is Renamed

Jan 1, 1950

HistoryThe Strictly Stock series was given the new title of NASCAR Grand National Circuit. France says, "Grand National indicates quality."

First Sponsor

Jan 1, 1950

Nash Motor CompanyNash Motor Company was the first manufacturer to invest money and time into NASCAR. They offered money at a few races and promised a new Nash to the National Grand champion.

Dirt Tracks

Jan 1, 1957

Tracks ChangeDuring the 1957 season, the NASCAR tracks were mainly made of dirt and little barrier. Having little barrier, a Mercury Monetery crashed into the crowd killing many spectators. This encounraged the building of new tracks with more safety.

Richard Petty

Jul 18, 1958

History of RacingAt the age of 21, Richard Petty races his first stock car race. He finishes 17th out of 19. This is the first of many carrer races.

First Daytona 500

Feb 22, 1959

Daytona 500The very first Daytona 500 was held in late Feburary to kick off a new season. This new track was 2.5 miles around. This race is said to be better than a Hollywood production.

Winston Cup Series

Jan 1, 1971

Winston CupThe Grand National Series is renamed. The new title is Winston Cup Series.

Dale Earnhardt

Feb 16, 1975

Dale Sr.Dale Earnhardt begins his career by racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This will be the beginning of an extremely successful driver.

First Flag-to-Flag Coverage

Feb 18, 1979

Boradcasting NASCAR first aired on CBS. It was the first race of the seaon (Daytona 500). Although fans liked watching the race from home, many liked the action during and after the race more. The tension between the drivers attracted them to keep watching.

Richard Petty Wins

Oct 23, 1979

WinsRichard Petty is one of the most famous NASCAR drivers. He has won seven championships in his career. He was given the name, "The King." Along with winning 200 races during his career. To this day he holds the status for most championship wins.

ESPN

Feb 16, 1981

BroadcastingESPN broadcasts their first race from North Caolina Motor Speedway. The firsst live race from ESPN will soon follow at the Atlanta International Raceway.

Fastest Lap In History

Apr 30, 1987

Fastest TimeTo this day, Bill Elliot holds the record speed for a lap at Talladega Superspeedway. He reached 212.809mph. Doing so, he claimed the name, "Awesome Bill."

TNN Broadcast

Feb 22, 1991

BroadcastingTNN begins to broadcast races on television.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Nov 13, 1994

<a href='http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_NASCAR_Winston_Cup_Series' >Dale Earnhardt Sr., along with Richard Petty won seven championships. Being the agrressive driver he is, he got the title, "The Intimidator." Dale was able to have 76 carrer wins.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. Death

Feb 18, 2001

The EndAt the beginning of the 2001 season, Dale was involved in a crash on the last lap of the Daytona 500.The wreck caused him to have a basilar skull fracture. This led to a death on the track.

Jimmie Johnson Begins

Feb 15, 2002

Career of JohnsonJimmie Johnson was a young and successful racer. He began racing at a young age and moved to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series after high school.

Nextel Cup Series

Jan 1, 2004

Nextel CupAt the end of the 2003 season, the sponsorship of the Winston Cup Series was dropped. In 2004, Nextel began to sponsor the main NASCAR races.

Sprint Cup Series

Jan 1, 2005

Sprint CupAt the beginning of 2005, Sprint bought out Nextel. This caused NASCAR to be called the Sprint Cup Series.

Nationwide Series

Oct 3, 2007

Nationwide Series The Nationwide Series is considered NASCAR's "minor league." In the past it was known as NASCAR Busch Series, then NASCAR Busch Grand National Series. Then, Nationwide Insurance announced the company would become the main sponor.

Female Succeed

Feb 1, 2011

Female for the WinJennifer Cobb was the first female to complete a race in the top 5. She competed in the NASCAR National Series.

Fan Vote

Jan 1, 2012

VoteEvey year fans are given the change to vote on rules for the Sprint unlimited race. This race is held before the Daytona 500. This lets the fan engage with NASCAR itself.

Large Crowds

Jan 1, 2013

Large CrowdRacing is the most attented sport in the United States. NASCAR's largest track is the Brickyard 400. This venue is able to hold 400,000 people. As NASCAR has grown, so has its crowds. In comparision, baseball's largest attence record is 115,300 in the Los Angeles Dodgers' stadium.

Danica Patrick Makes It

Feb 1, 2013

Making HistoryDanica Patrick was the first woman to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup pole. She was able to beat the 1990 record time for a qualifying lap for the Daytona 500.

Nationwide Resign

Sep 18, 2013

Nationwide Sponsorship Recently, Nationwide Insurance released their decision of dropping their name as the title sponsor for this series. Although, the company will be more involved with the sport by giving car and track sponsorships. The company also chose to still be the main insurance provider of NASCAR.

Jimmie Johnson Wins Again

Nov 17, 2013

Johnson StatisticsJimmie Johnson is the next Dale Earnhardt Sr./Richard Petty. This past season, he won his sixth championship in the Spring Cup Series. In 2007-2010, he won five consecutive championships.