Types of Professional U.S. Motor Racing

Americans have been fascinated with racing since early 1900s, when events such as the Vanderbilt Cup pitted American drivers against teams from different countries in Europe. The first auto races in the United States were on city streets; purpose-built oval tracks became favored venues for racing in the early 20th century, mirroring velodromes previously used for bicycle racing. This varied history has led to the development of multiple types of automobile racing found today in the United States.

  1. Stock Car Racing

    • Stock car racing evolved in the 1940s from “strictly stock” cars that were similar to those driven on the street to today’s race cars that bear little resemblance to street vehicles. NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in the United States at 100 different tracks, including the Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series national circuits. A NASCAR stock car is capable of reaching top speeds of more than 200 miles per hour with an engine capable of producing 800 horsepower.

    Open Wheel Racing

    • Open wheel race cars are built specifically for racing and get their name because their wheels are exposed with bodies that lack fenders or wheel wells. Races can be held on oval courses or road courses, with events taking place on circuit courses or street courses closed for the event. The main sanctioning body for open wheel racing in the United States is the IndyCar Series, which sanctions races across the country including the Indianapolis 500. Held annually on Memorial Day weekend since 1911, the race brings crowds to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which at 250,000 is the largest seated sports venue in the world.

    Sprint Car Racing

    • Sprint car racing takes place on dirt tracks across the United States, with cars capable of reaching speeds of more than 100 miles per hour while sliding around oval courses. Sprint cars in series such as the World of Outlaws feature large wings on the top of the cars that provide down force to improve traction along with providing a cushion in case the car flips. National touring series such as the World of Outlaws travel around the country racing at dirt tracks less than one mile in length.

    Drag Racing

    • Unlike many other forms of racing in the United States, drag racing takes place on a straight-line track rather than on an oval or road course. Races pit two drivers in similar styles of cars against each other in a match race setting, with the first driver to cross the finish line declared the winner. The main sanctioning body for drag racing in the United States is the NHRA, where Funny Cars and Top Fuel dragsters can reach top speeds of more than 330 miles per hour.