What Are the Different Race Car Organizations?

Motorsports have become one of the largest spectator sports in the U.S. Despite the familiarity of NASCAR, other motorsport organizations also exist. These organizations sanction races, create standards for cars and drivers and organize the various competitive events scheduled throughout the race year. Many racecar organizations began as small independent operators but through mergers and acquisitions have grown into major corporate organizations.

  1. NASCAR

    • The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. (NASCAR) acts as the sanctioning body for all NASCAR races. NASCAR sanctions over 1,200 races at 100 racetracks in more than 30 states plus Canada and Mexico. NASCAR races have become so common, they are shown in over 150 countries, broadcast in over 20 different languages and more Fortune 500 companies take part in NASCAR races than any other sport in the world. The very first NASCAR sanctioned event took place in Daytona Beach, Florida on February 15, 1948, just a few months after the creation of the NASCAR sanctioning body.

    NHRA

    • In 1951 Wally Parks founded the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). As of April 2010, the NHRA had 80,000 members and 35,000 licensed competitors. In North America the NHRA has 140 member tracks. The NHRA also has a junior division for racers 8 to 17 years of age called the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League. The NHRA offers more than 20 different categories of competition, including pro stock, funny car, top fuel and pro stock motorcycle. NHRA's first race took place in April 1953 on the Los Angeles County fairgrounds parking lot. Today, the NHRA stands as one of the world's largest motorsports' sanctioning bodies.

    SCCA

    • The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) began in 1944 and currently has over 50,000 members. The SCCA offers various levels of competitive and non-competitive events including club racing, rally, solo and pro level. The club racing level offers inexperienced drivers the opportunity to participate in the performance driving experience, which is a non-competitive event designed to introduce and educate drivers to the SCCA. Pro-level competition includes the Trans-Am Series, the World Challenge and the Mazda MX-5 Cup. The SCCA also sanctions the Jim Russell racing schools and the Formula 200 Championship Series.

    IRL

    • The Indy Racing League (IRL) was formed in 1996 and consisted of a three-race series for Indy cars. The Indy 500, one of the most famous open-wheel motorsport competitions, is the crown in the Indy Racing League's series. Roger Penske, one of the founders of the defunct Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) pulled out of CART in 2002 to race in the IRL. The current IRL consists of 33 drivers, including three drivers for Team Penske. The IRL has become the sanctioning body for Indy racecars, taking over from the United Stated Auto Club.