Basics of NASCAR

NASCAR has become one of the most popular sporting associations in North America. Some say it’s become a fifth major sport, and some even think it has replaced the National Hockey League as the fourth biggest league in the United States. If you are interested in learning more about the league, take a look at some of the basics of NASCAR.

The first of the basics of NASCAR is its origins. The league’s name is short for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, NASCAR was divided into three divisions. The divisions were the Modified, Roadster and Strictly Stock divisions. This is one of the basics of NASCAR that has changed over time. Today the three divisions of racing are the Nextel Cup Series (formerly Winston Cup), Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series.

Another of the basics of NASCAR is its many famous races. The first race of the year is the Daytona 500 at Daytona Beach, Florida. Other notable races include the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte’s Lowes Motor Speedway and the Allstate 400 (formerly Brickyard 400) at Indianapolis. There are various other notable tracks in NASCAR, including the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway and the small Bristol Motor Speedway. Many of these tracks are oval based, but there are some road courses too.

The next of the basics of NASCAR involves its cars. Cars in NASCAR are around 3,400 pounds in weight. They feature V8 engines with a 358 cubic inch power scheme. It generates 450 horsepower, making it a strong engine capable of attaining fast speeds. The last of the basics of NASCAR cars is that it features fenders that can absorb contact from other cars at high speeds.

The many legends of NASCAR is another of the greatest basics of NASCAR to look at. Many notable stars of the past include Darrell Waltrip, Richard Petty, Mario Andretti and Dale Earnhardt Sr., among others. Today there are various successful stars in the league, including Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick. More great stars are entering NASCAR too, most recently Formula One star Juan Pablo Montoya.

Having a favorite driver is one of the best basics of NASCAR. It is simple to pick a favorite – check out the backgrounds of the racers, see what rivalries they have and what you can especially relate to with the drivers.

The last of the basics of NASCAR is the tracks that are out there. There are twenty two different tracks used in thirty six races over the course of a season. Weather can make some tracks harder to handle, especially rain.

These are just some of the basics of NASCAR to check out. The best thing to do to discover more of the basics of NASCAR is to go to a race in person. Hearing the sounds up close and seeing all of the action in the atmosphere of a race setting can make it especially exciting and fun.

Warning to NASCAR Dopes: Someone Is Going to Die - FanHouse

Globe and Mail

Warning to NASCAR Dopes: Someone Is Going to Die FanHouse But in the fantasy world of NASCAR, where they pretend that cars are props and human beings are mannequins, he will keep driving in the Sprint Cup and ... Retaliation in Nascar Draws Only ProbationNew York Times NASCAR, GOT WHAT THEY WANTED...but...SportingNews.com (blog) With NASCAR drivers policing themselves, Tony Stewart would make a good sheriffMLive.com (blog) Online Athens -Bleacher Report -AHN | All Headline News all 652 news articles »

Nascar's Call for Aggressiveness Is Met by a Crash - New York Times

New York Times (blog)

Nascar's Call for Aggressiveness Is Met by a Crash New York Times ... and attendance slump, Nascar went back to its bad-ol'-boy roots this season in the hope that more aggressive driving would draw fans back to the sport. ... CUP: Drivers Need To Speak UpFOXNews Carl Edwards: Parked for Rough DrivingRotowire Kyle Busch ticked off after practice scrapeUSA Today F1SA -FanHouse all 972 news articles »

Shrinking sponsorship dollars put end to NASCAR's youth movement - St. Augustine Record

Shrinking sponsorship dollars put end to NASCAR's youth movement St. Augustine Record Besides driving for Richard Childress Racing on Sundays, he's now been forced into service for many of the support races. His plans to have Cale Gale take ... and more »

Thomas Jones signs with Kansas City - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Thomas Jones signs with Kansas City Minneapolis Star Tribune NASCAR placed Carl Edwards on probation for three races for deliberately wrecking Brad Keselowski's car last weekend in Atlanta. Edwards will be monitored ... and more »

TRUCKS: Harvick Wins Atlanta - FOXNews

TruckTrend Magazine

TRUCKS: Harvick Wins Atlanta FOXNews Harvick has won in all three major NASCAR series at Atlanta and at Phoenix International Raceway. Following Busch at the finish were Aric Almirola, ... Harvick wins NASCAR truck race at AtlantaThe Associated Press Harvick wins his third straight trucks startSportingNews.com Camping World Truck Series kicked off an eventful Atlanta weekendPit Road Scene Los Angeles Times -The Birmingham News - al.com (blog) -Autoracing1 (subscription) all 259 news articles »

Johnson puts perspective on the past and present - ESPN

ESPN	Johnson puts perspective on the past and present ESPN Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts dominated at the box office … and Jeff Gordon was absolutely, positively stinking up the show in NASCAR, running away, ... and more »