Among the most loved sports in America in recent times is NASCAR racing, as gaming and betting enthusiasts will chorus, “it sure is!” So, ask “what is NASCAR in these circles – but only at your own risk – I mean, that of being boo-ed down royally for being an ignoramus (now, get rid of that wondering look and read on to learn the basics of NASCAR racing).
This is one sport that has the ability to reach out to millions of fans hooked on to sexy cars, advanced technology, aerodynamics, big money betting and also the thrill of the chase, the strategy of pro racing, the lure of championship game wins and the fame that supercedes it all with NASCAR racing having won hearts all across the US for over 50 years now.
Officially founded on the 21st of February in the year 1948, NASCAR originally had 3 divisions called Mods (or Modifieds), the Roadsters and thirdly, Strictly Shocked when Bill France (senior) gave this first form of pro car racing to the world.
In the first race tagged as Strictly stock, which was hosted on 19th June the following year, a three-fourth mile long dirt track named Charlotte Speedway held center stage for the first NASCAR winner, Jim Roper, as well as awestruck spectators. Over the years, this division of NASCAR developed into the Sprint Cup series.
NASCAR is the abbreviated form of National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing and those keen to learn more about this form of pro car racing would do well to learn that it is also a sanctioning authority that looks out for different kinds of racing events cross-country. Some of these racing event types that come under the banner of NASCAR include the previously mentioned Sprint cup, besides the nationwide series and the Craftsman Truck series. However, as a general rule, most people talking about the NASCAR races are actually referring to the Sprint Cup series (so remember this and learn the lingo!)
When it comes to race cars for NASCAR though, the modern day version of the Sprint cup series may have just a fleeting resemblance to the traditional ‘strictly stock’ leanings of previous times as heritage vehicles have given way to lean, mean and modern racing machines that are nothing less than pure racing beasts, feel dedicated followers of the recent NASCAR racing events. Most modern NASCAR cars have 4 doors US manufactured cars, like the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Dodge Charger as well as the Toyota Camry. These are very different from the sleek versions of F1 pointy nosed racing automobiles or even those used for the IRL series or CART ones.
As a rule, the cars featuring in the NASCAR Sprint Cup typically comprise fenders that are vital for the essential side-to-side contact that needs to occur between cars, exclusive of wheel-hooking allowances that could result in big wreckages. As far as the weight of these cars is concerned, it is usually in the range of 3,400 pounds with a 110 inch wheelbase; a engine of 358 cubic inch V8 with 750 horsepower completes the basic Sprint Cup racing car requirements.
Modern day racetracks for the NASCAR sprint cup comprise 36 races across 22 varied racetracks of which 34 races have left turns on oval racetracks; some may be held on D-shaped tracks, but remaining 2 races are reserved for road courses.
Finally, memorize the names of the biggies in NASCAR race winners to impress pals with your newly updated knowledge – these include bandying names like Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon and good ol’ Jimmie Johnson.