Early NASCAR History

NASCAR stock car racing is among the most popular American sports. Thousands of fans travel to motorways on race days, and millions tune in on television. But NASCAR had very humble beginnings, growing slowly over time into the major industry it is today. The history of NASCAR racing also runs parallel with advances in the automotive industry and the introduction of new technologies.

  1. Origins

    • NASCAR traces its roots back to two separate groups operating in the racing world in the 1920s and '30s. During prohibition, the owners of fast cars often became "runners," smuggling alcohol into the United States from Canada and across state lines. These runners began modifying their cars in the hopes of gaining a competitive edge in outrunning the police. When not running liquor, these drivers began to set up informal races to put their cars to the test.

      Meanwhile, a group of auto mechanics and race drivers in Daytona Beach, Florida began pursuing land speed records in custom-built and heavily modified race cars. In the 1930s, the drivers began making the move to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, leaving some race enthusiasts behind and the city of Daytona Beach desperate for a new way to promote the young sport.

    The Name

    • The name NASCAR stands for the National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing. This name first appeared in the mid-1940s, and the first meeting of the newly formed organization took place on December 12, 1947, at Daytona Beach's Streamline Inn Motel. NASCAR enthusiasts cite this as the birthday of NASCAR racing. On February 21, 1948, NASCAR was officially incorporated and began business operations, although it actually sanctioned its first race in Daytona Beach on February 15, six days before the paperwork made it official.

    Notable Figures

    • There were several men who figure prominently in early NASCAR history, according to an article on NASCAR history published at cio.com on February 1, 2006. Chief among them is Bill France, also known as Big Bill. France was part of the original group of race organizers in Daytona Beach. Erwin "Cannonball" Baker took the role as the first Commissioner of Racing when NASCAR was incorporated in 1948. The first winning driver of a NASCAR race was Red Byron, who won the 150-mile Daytona Beach race driving a Ford. Other early NASCAR drivers included Raymond Parks, Wayne Pritchett and Buddy Shuman.

    The Cars

    • When NASCAR began, Bill French broke the race rules up into three separate classes. These includes "Strictly Stock" cars, roadsters and modified stock cars. However, roadster races proved unpopular and the class was soon dropped. The Strictly Stock category rose to prominence with NASCAR permitting Ford and Chevy models from the 1930s, along with some of the new, post-war Buicks. As the 1940s progressed and automakers began focusing on passenger car production with World War II over, NASCAR permitted newer cars and drivers began racing modified versions of new Lincoln, Ford and Chevy models.

    Evolution

    • One of the first major changes in early NASCAR history was the introduction of paved tracks in the 1950s. Before this, drivers raced on dirt tracks, packed sand and occasionally local paved roads. In 1950 NASCAR created the Southern 500, which was its first 500-mile race, as well as its first paved track event. By the end of the 1950s average race attendance had grown significantly and paved tracks had become the standard for NASCAR. American automakers continued to produce sporty models and more powerful engines, accelerating the growth of NASCAR's popularity and propelling it into the second half of the century.