NASCAR racing quickly spread across the USA
From its 1948 beginnings in Daytona, NASCAR, by 1951, had crossed the country. The first West Coast race was held in Gardena, California. Detroit hosted a Grand National series race in honor of the 250th anniversary of the city. And also in 1951, NASCAR added to the competition schedule the "Sportsman Series," races that were originally for amateur, weekend racers.
By 1954, NASCAR began receiving television coverage, when a half-hour show celebrating speed week in Daytona, "Wire Wheels," was aired in New York. Other television shows followed. 1954 was also the first year a driver used a two-way radio to communicate with his crew during a race. Lee Petty, father of NASCAR legend Richard Petty, won the Grand National championship in 1954.
In 1958, Richard Petty began his NASCAR career. That same year Fireball Roberts was the first NASCAR driver to be voted "Professional Athlete of the Year" by the Florida Sportswriters' Association.
By the 1950s and 60's, stars such as Fireball Roberts and Junior Johnson emerged from the pack of speeding stock cars. The racetrack in Darlington opened in 1950 and began the era of super speedway racing. In the 1960s, the racetrack in Charlotte, North Carolina, still known as the "Mecca of motor sports" opened.
Richard Petty dominated the sport in the early 60's. He's still called the "King of NASCAR." Like many other racers, Petty is following a family tradition. He's the son, father, and grandfather of racers.
From the South to the rest of the States
NASCAR was a regional sport; it is now a national phenomenon. The FOX television network's coverage of NASCAR attracts huge audiences. Former racer Darrell Waltrip mans the mike while his younger brother, Mike, is a competitor in the races.
Tracks across the country from New England to California host NASCAR events. Even glitzy Las Vegas has opened her doors to this down-home sport. You can keep up with the fast cars and racing news daily throughout the season from its beginning in February through its end in November.
NASCAR today consists of three primary "big events." The premier NASCAR series is the Winston series whose cars have 750 horsepower engines and reach speeds of 200 miles per hour on some tracks. The 2001 Winston Cup schedule lists 36 events at 23 tracks. Busch series cars pack 550 horsepower and attain less speed. Many drivers compete in both series. Some drivers use Busch series racing to move up to Winston Cup racing. NASCAR also runs the Craftsman Truck series where pickup trucks that hit speeds of around 150 miles per hour take to the track.
Anny in a NASCAR Car
A race weekend is a several day event
Before the main event racers compete for starting positions in the race. In addition to the driver, a NASCAR team is composed of a pit crew and crew chief. Many races have been won or lost by the skill of these men who can change four tires, refuel cars, and make minor adjustments in under 15 seconds. The team also has skilled spotters who communicate with the driver throughout the race, telling him where other drivers are on the track. At many raceways, you can rent radios that will allow you to eavesdrop on these conversations.
Currently events are held at tracks all across the United States. Winston Cup events are scheduled in Atlanta, Georgia; Bristol, Tennessee; Fontana, California; Chicago, Illinois; Darlington, South Carolina; Daytona, Homestead-Miami and Talladega, Florida; Dover, Delaware; Charlotte, North Carolina; Indianapolis, Indiana; Phoenix, Arizona; Watkins Glenn, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada, and other venues. For a complete listing of Winston Cup or Busch Series races check at http://www.nascar.com/
