For The Race Fans: Series Profile: NASCAR
Entry posted by Stalliongrad
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A staple of American Motorsports, NASCAR creates a unique competition which is a blend of Speed, Endurance and Skill.
NASCAR at Night
Series Overview: The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing or NASCAR has its roots in the 1930's during the prohibition era when alcohol was illegal in the United States. Bootleggers who took Moonshine and Whiskey made in the Appalachian Mountains would modify their cars to escape the police chasing them over state lines. Bootleggers and Rum Runners would create secret compartments in their cars usually Ford or Chevrolet Coupes and tune the engines to be as fast as possible. Others modified their suspensions to be faster on winding back country roads. After Alcohol became legal again, the Bootleggers continued to modify their cars and eventually began to race each other for fun and pride in having the best car. In 1936, the future founder of NASCAR Bill France and 26 other drivers turned up at Daytona Beach, Florida to participate in a 250 mile race and this became the basis for what is now known as the Daytona 500. The rag tag group of drivers were eventually unified in to NASCAR by Bill France a few years later.
Teams: 36 (Some Teams Field More Than One Car)
First Season: 1948
Next Season: 2017
2016 Ford Fusion and Sprint Cup Car Demonstrator
NASCAR Sprint Cup Car: Sticking true to its roots as Stock Car Racing, Cars competing in NASCAR races must be based on cars which can be driven "stock" on public roads. Current NASCAR rules imply the vehicles stock version must be offered with a V8 engine to compete. Most manufacturers which compete are American. Ford and Chevrolet are longtime NASCAR rivals. Dodge formerly completed in NASCAR but withdrew following financial restructuring at Chrysler. FIAT Group, the new Italian Owners of Chrysler have made it clear they will not pursue a NASCAR Return. Toyota is the only foreign brand competing although many consider Toyota to be a big part of America as many of its cars and trucks are built in Kentucky and designed in California by Americans with American Parts and Labor.
2015 Toyota Camry NASCAR Sprint Cup Car Demonstrator
Venues: NASCAR is notorious use of Oval Racetracks which use high banked corners and long straights allowing the cars to achieve their top speed. There is much criticism surrounding the decision compete primarily on Oval Racetracks only as the cars can race on other types but races are not frequently held on tracks that are not ovals. Some racetracks such as the former Infineon Raceway hosted "Road Races" on courses which featured winding turns and sharp corners.
Not All Oval Tracks are Banked But Some Have Extreme Deep Banking Corners
Wider Racetracks Allow for Cars to Race "3 Wide" for Up Close and Personal Style Racing
Pit Stops: Perhaps one of the most famous moments of a NASCAR race is the moment the cars must pit for new tires and fuel. Because the cars move so fast and the potential for being lapped is very high during a NASCAR race pit crews have worked the pit stop down to a science. NASCAR also has very specific rules regarding pitting. Pit Crews usually have 6 men. 2 people carry the tires to the car, 2 change the tires on the car, 1 man jacks the car off of the ground and another carries the fuel can to refuel the car. If in the event cars are being lapped, a 7th man is allowed and he usually clears the windshield of dirt and debris as well as clearing the air intakes from any debris. When a yellow flag or caution is presented pit road is closed until the pace car controls the speed of the field. After the pace car has the cars speed under control a flagman and a light will signal Pit Road as open allowing drivers to enter. Pit Road has a speed limit and Cup Cars do not have speedometers, drivers must gauge how fast they are going based on their RPM tachometer reading.
NASCAR Pit Stop During The Daytona 500
Points System: NASCAR's point system is known as the Chase for the Sprint Cup which is essentially NASCAR's version of the NFL Postseason or the NBA Finals. 16 Drivers who win races over the course of the regular season are eligible for the 10 race "Chase". These 16 drivers compete against each other as well as the regular field of 40 cars. Drivers eligible for the chase have special yellow markings on their cars while they are still in the chase. The Chase is a Formula One style knockout system with 4 drivers knocked out after the 3rd race. The drivers eligible of the chase become more competitive and as the drivers are knocked out eligible drivers become fewer. Winning a Race while eligible guarantees a spot for the next race.
Crashes and Close Calls
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