Nascar Racing: Fanatical Sport Wtih Fanatical FansSports fans might be shocked to learn that NASCAR racing has become the second most-watched sport on television (behind football), surpassing baseball and basketball several years ago. The clear dangers of the sport – the tight racing, debris, spectacular crashes – are part of the appeal for many; this edge-of-your-seat action is what many enjoy when the go to the track or sit down to watch NASCAR on TV. NASCAR (with headquarters in Daytona Beach, FL) is the top auto-racing sanctioning body in the world – an endeavor which has risen from humble beginnings into a multibillion-dollar empire spanning the country and is viewed around the globe. Even with the vast merchandising and nationwide appeal, NASCAR racing is a sport which is still anchored in the roots that include many teams originating from a particular state – North Carolina. The history of NASCAR racing is a long and storied one. The tale begins back in the days of Prohibition, when bootleggers needed a way to get their merchandise to customers quickly – not to mention outmaneuvering lawmen who wanted their hides. It wasn’t long before people began to run these vehicles in the name of bragging rights instead of illegal activity. Then a man named Bill France realized that stock car racing would not flourish unless there were rules to govern the sport; this is what led to the founding and creation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing in 1948. However, there are more than a few who will tell you the real birth of NASCAR took place at the 1979 Daytona 500. With millions on the East Coast kept indoors thanks to a major blizzard, a large audience was on hand to see the first-ever live televised NASCAR race from beginning to end. The ’79 opener at Daytona was memorable not only for the close finish between Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough, but the two drivers engaged in a brawl following the race. The country’s passion for a newfound sport had begun. Although NASCAR racing is comprised of several series, and three main series, whenever you hear the term “NASCAR”, it’s commonly held that you’re talking about the circuit’s leading series, the Sprint Cup Series (formerly Winston Cup). The drivers embark on a schedule that sees them race 26 times while accumulating points based on finish. Once those 26 contests are in the books, the 12 drivers with the most points accumulated will become eligible to continue on with a new set of points that go toward a run for the Sprint Cup Championship. When people think of NASCAR racing, it is impossible to do so without thinking of the drivers past and present who have graced the track. From drivers like the outspoken Tony Stewart, to the driven Jeff Gordon, to Racing offspring Dale Earnhardt, Jr., so many drivers are loved or hated in this sport. There is also the history of the sport, and the many drivers like Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, Donnie Allison, and Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt’s tragic fatal crash at the 2001 Daytona 500 was a shocking and stunning loss for the sport; even many detractors stopped to mourn this untimely death. If there was anything optimistic that emerged from that tragedy, it was the increased focus on safety in the sport. With measures such as a head-and-neck restraint system (the HANS device) and buffers placed on the walls of many tracks to reduce impact, NASCAR racing looked to improve the safety of its drivers while maintaining the growth of its modern popularity. |