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The NASCAR Phenomena

http://www.NKSMOTORSPORTS.COM

Table of Contents
History of NASCAR

Finding the Events

Deciding What Event to Attend

Grab Those Tickets

Planning Your Trip

What Should You Bring?

 Accommodations

NASCAR Collectibles

Have a NASCAR Party

Start Your Own Fan Club

Why NASCAR?

All About the Cars

Qualifying as a Driver

Stars of NASCAR

Memorable Moments
 History of NASCAR

NASCAR was formally structured February 21, 1948 by a person named Bill

France, Sr. when he visited Daytona Beach to escape the Great Depression.

But stock car driving had been happening in Daytona Beach during the 1920s

and 1930s. The location was competing against Belgium and France to become

the preferred location for setting records in land speed. It was between the

years 1927 and 1935 when eight consecutive world records were set in

Daytona Beach that established its name as the most suitable place for setting

speed records on land. However, Daytona Beach became a city of racing

interest when a momentous racing event between Ransom Olds and Alexander

Winton occurred during 1903. Starting from that year, enthusiasts have been

visiting Daytona Beach and began setting their records resulting in fifteen

records between 1905 and 1935; this gave way for the Daytona Beach road

course. In 1936, the premier location for the quest of land speed records was

transferred to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah but Daytona Beach has already

established its reputation for being synonymous with fast cars.

NASCAR would not have been possible if not for several significant people

starting with mechanic Bill France, Sr. During the Great Depression, Bill

France, Sr. moved to Daytona Beach, Florida from Washington, DC. Even

before he moved to Daytona Beach, he was familiar with the history of the land
and, of course, the speed record attempts that happened. It was in 1936 that

France entered the Daytona event in which he finished fifth but he took over

the course in 1938 and before the start of World War II, he even promoted a

few races. Several drivers, including France, where frequently mistreated by

corrupt promoters who would leave events taking all the money with them

without even paying the drivers. This maltreatment made France decide that

racing would not develop without a formal authorizing committee, uniform

rules, regular schedules and organized events and championships. France

began to talk with other influential racers and promoters in December 1947 at

the Ebony Bar at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida. This

gathering gave way for the formation of NASCAR on February 21, 1948.

The early points system was written on a bar room napkin and the original

plans for NASCAR included three divisions: Modified, Roadster and Strictly

Stock. The founders assumed that Modified and Roadster would be more

attractive to fans but the fans wanted nothing to do with the Roadster since,

for them, it seemed to be similar to Northeast and Midwest series. The Strictly

Stock, on the other hand, was put on hold because most automobile

manufacturers were unable to produce family sedans fast enough to meet the

post-World War II demands. The sanctioning committee hosted the initial

event at Daytona Beach at February 15, 1948, which featured fifty-two

Modified dirt track races. In the race, Marshal Teague was beaten by Red Byron
and Byron won the national championship in 1948. The Strictly Stock division

was able to debut in 1949 with a 20-mile exhibition near Miami.

There were other people who contributed to the progress of NASCAR. Erwin

“Cannonball” Baker became the first Commissioner of NASCAR. Cannonball

was a former stock car, motorcycle, and open-wheel racer who competed in

the Indianapolis 500 and set over one hundred land speed records. Another

person to be accounted with is Bob “Barky” Barkhimer. Barky was a star of

midget car racing from the World War II era. He journeyed to Daytona Beach

and met with Bill France, Sr. in 1954 during the spring, the Pacific Coast

welcomed NASCAR as the sanctioning body for stock car racing and it was

under Barky.

NASCAR made drastic changes regarding its structure in the early 1970s. The

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which was banned from television

advertising, sponsored the series. This resulted to the transformation of the

Grand National Series to Winston Cup Series. The transformation brought with

it changes in the points system and cash benefits for championship points.

To date, there are several series that are sanctioned by NASCAR. The Sprint

Cup, formerly known as the Winston Cup Series, is the sport’s highest level of

professional competition. Other NASCAR-sanctioned series include:

Nationwide Series, Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,

NASCAR Corona Series, and the Regional racing series.

Finding the Events

Where Are the Races Held

The very first National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, or more popularly

known as NASCAR, race took place at Charlotte Speedway in North Carolina on

June 19, 1949. The race was held on a dirt track in front of a curious crowd of

23,000. Christian “Jim” Roper took the first place along with a $2,000 purse in

a Lincoln Cosmopolitan. Fonty Flock came in second place while future Hall of

Famer Red Byron took third. But where are NASCAR-sanctioned races held

today? Over 1,500 races are sanctioned by NASCAR at over 100 tracks in

thirty-nine states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. It was in 1996 to 1998

when NASCAR held exhibition races in Japan and 1988 in Australia.

NASCAR is very different from other land races in that they use an oval track of

three or four turns with all turns to the left. These oval tracks are also classified

as short tracks, intermediate or speedway, and super speedway depending on

the length. There are also the Road courses that involve both left and right

turns.
The Atlanta Motor Speedway with the layout of 1.540-mile oval is located in

Hampton, Georgia. It can accommodate a number of spectators with its

124,000 seats. In addition, the Atlanta Motor Speedway racetrack holds two

Sprint Cup and Craftsman Truck and one Nationwide Series every season. The

track opened in 1960 as a 1.5 mile standard oval and it was completely rebuilt

in 1997 to standardize the track with Speedway Motor sports’ other two 1.5

mile ovals. The rebuilding project made the Atlanta Motor Speedway one of the

faster on the NASCAR circuit.

A 2.000-mile oval layout racetrack located in Fontana, California is the Auto

Club Speedway track. The track opened in the early parts of 1997 and was

located on the site of the former Kaiser Steel mill. It also has additional

facilities to accommodate other road races, motorcycle races, vehicle testing

and drag races. The track features an infield road course, which was used by

NASCAR when it held its first NASCAR West Series. The death of a CART racer

Greg Moore in 1999 caused the racetrack to be overhauled, including the

paving of the infield grass on the backstretch.

In Bristol, Tennessee, NASCAR races are held at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

The track was originally known as the Bristol International Raceway and Bristol

Raceway. The track was also constructed in 1960 and held its first NASCAR

race on July 30, 1961. Currently, the Bristol Motor Speedway holds races like
the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (Food City 500 and Sharpie 500), NASCAR

Nationwide Series (Sharpie Mini 300 and the Food City 250), NASCAR

Craftsman Truck Series (O’Reilly 200) and the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series

(Food City 150).

The Daytona International Speedway is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The

racetrack is a 2.500-mile oval that can accommodate over 168,000 spectators.

The facility also includes a 3.56 mile road course and a 180 acre infield.

NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. began planning a new track for the premier

event in 1953, which made it possible for the Daytona International Speedway

to open on February 22, 1959. The most important race for NASCAR’s premier

series called the Daytona 500 is held annually at the Daytona International

Speedway. The race involves a 200-lap and 500-mile stock car race.

The number of NASCAR racetracks is staggering and are spread all across the

United States. In Mexico City, Mexico, NASCAR races are held at the

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez track. There is also one in Montreal called the

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The following is a list of racetracks that hold

NASCAR-sanctioned races.

 Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois

 Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina

 Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware

 Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois

 Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida

 Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana

 Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California

 Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas

 Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Kentucky

 Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada

 Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina

 Mansfield Motor sports Park in Mansfield, Ohio

 Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia

 Memphis Motor sports Park in Memphis, Tennessee

 Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan

 Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin

 Nashville Super speedway in Lebanon, Tennessee

 Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona

 Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania

 Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia

 Talladega Super speedway in Talladega, Alabama

 Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas

 Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York

 Deciding What Event to Attend

Attending a Race

Deciding on what NASCAR race to watch depends on each individual.

Additionally, there are several NASCAR-sanctioned series that are held all-year

round. There are fans that watch all the series and there are others that like to

view only those series that they are most interested in. If you are a true

NASCAR fan, you should know that the NASCAR series include the Sprint Cup,

Nationwide Series, Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,

NASCAR Corona Series and the Regional racing series. To better decide what

NASCAR race you want to attend, it is important to know what the mentioned

series are all about. The cars being used from each series also differ from each

other and if you are a car aficionado, this may also help you decide what race

you want to attend.

First is the Sprint Cup Series. This is the top racing series of NASCAR and has

undergone several different names, such as: Strictly Stock Series, Grand

National Series, Winston Cup Series and NEXTEL Cup Series. The Sprint Cup

cars are mostly front engine rear-wheel-drive, high powered vehicles with a

roll cage that serves as a space frame chassis and thin sheet metal covering.

The cars also have a blocked cockpit, some fenders, wing on the car’s rear and

an aerodynamic splitter. Additionally, the cars are powered by carbureted V8

engines with cast iron wedges and a pushrod valve train activating two valves

each cylinder. The Sprint Cup is now also being represented by several

manufacturers such as Chrysler (Dodge Charger R/T), Ford (Ford Fusion), GM

(Chevrolet Impala SS), and Toyota (Toyota Camry).

The NASCAR Nationwide Series is also a stock car racing series and provides

ground for drivers who are hoping to step up to the big league circuit, the

Sprint Cup. Normally if you decide to attend the NASCAR Nationwide Series,

you are also encouraged to watch the Sprint Cup since both events are

frequently held in the same venue. The cars being used today in the

Nationwide Series are a little different from their Sprint Cup counterparts. The

main difference is the shorter wheelbase and a larger spoiler. To untrained

eye, the cars used in the Nationwide Series may seem completely similar to

their Sprint Cup counterparts. However, the Nationwide Series cars are lighter,

less powerful and have a shorter wheelbase. Currently, the NASCAR

Nationwide Series is being represented by the same manufacturers

representing the Sprint Cup series.

For truck lovers out there, the Craftsman Truck Series is the best choice. This

series features several trucks in racing events including the Dodge Ram from

Chrysler, Ford F-150 from Ford, the Chevrolet Silverado from GM and the

Toyota Tundra from Toyota. The Craftsman Truck Series is the only series in all
of NASCAR to race modified pickup trucks. Nothing beats the experience of

getting to watch the Craftsman Truck Series in person but several television

stations broadcast the series and some of them include ESPN, TNN, WTBS,

ABC and CBS. Remember these stations in case you missed your favorite

Craftsman Truck Series event.

For those living in Canada, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series brings NASCAR

spirit to their country. The series is the successor of the former CASCAR Super

Series. The NASCAR Canada Tire Series uses cars with steel tube-framed

silhouette powered by carbureted V8 engines. The cars used have a relatively

high minimum weight.

In Mexico, the NASCAR Corona Series brings NASCAR to Mexican fans. The

series is the most important stock car racing series in the country. Being a

stock car racing series, the NASCAR Corona Series uses the same car type

used in the Sprint Cup series.

The last series you need to consider in your decision for the race to attend is

the Regional racing series. Under this category is the Whelen All-American

Series, which is a semi-professional and amateur auto racing series. The cars

used on each event may vary and the participants rarely compete directly

against each other.

There are other things you need to consider aside from the different kinds of

NASCAR series, such as accessibility. The racetrack where the race would be

held should be reasonably near to you but, then again, it may depend on your

specifications. If you are a hardcore NASCAR fan, you may opt to travel to any

location where there are NASCAR races. The schedule of the NASCAR race

should also be regarded. It would be easier if you check out the NASCAR

website to see the current season schedule of races.

Grab Those Tickets

Tickets

Getting NASCAR tickets can be easy if you know the right information. Buying

tickets in advance is extremely important since most NASCAR event tickets sell

out weeks or months before the race. There are several guidelines that can

help you in finding tickets for NASCAR events.

The first tip is to call the racetrack ticket office as soon as possible. This would

help you determine if they have any tickets for sale. You will have better

chances of getting tickets if you call early. By calling the racetrack ticketing

office, you are guaranteed with authenticity, and affordability.

Another method of finding a ticket is through the Internet. If you know where

to look, you can find just about anything on the Internet and even some with

affordable prices. There are many season ticket holders that cannot attend the

events or even fans with extra tickets that place their tickets up for auction.

Just make sure that you review the feedbacks about the seller in order to know

who you will be dealing with. There is also the Web site www.ticketsnow.com.

This site may cause you to pay more for your tickets but they offer a variety of

seats to choose from.

There are other options available if the mentioned ones proved to be useless

and these include ticket brokers and race day ticket scalpers. Ticket brokers

buy NASCAR tickets to sold out events and resell them for profit. The tickets

available will not be cheap but you are likely to get the tickets to whatever

event you want. A warning though, brokering is prohibited in some states but

infrequently prosecuted and it may be necessary for you to verify with your

local and state law enforcement offices before dealing with a ticket broker.

If the race day has arrived and you still do not have a ticket, there are scalpers

that sell tickets on race day. This method is for those who like to wheel and

deal and do not mind gambling a bit. You can even encounter scalpers that sell

tickets that are hard to get. The key is patience. It may also be necessary for

you to have previous experiences with scalpers to get better prices. Some of
the tickets are even cheaper than the actual value, but this may cause you to

miss a few laps of the race.

Acquiring NASCAR tickets is not impossible. At every race, there are several

tickets that go unused and following the mentioned tips would help you get

tickets to any race that you want to attend.

Aside from the method of getting tickets, the seating is also important. You do

not want to be seated to far away from the racetrack as this may render you

unable to distinguish who drives what car during the race. Sitting in the first

five rows of a grandstand usually limits the view and distorts the

understanding of the causes and effects that determined the winner of the

race. The most desirable seats are those that offer views of the front-stretch

and pit-road. Additionally, the best seats at any event are on the start/finish

line above row twenty. This seating area would give you a broad view of the

track. This is also where the race begins and ends. The pit road is where all the

action off the track takes place and where activities before the race and victory

partying can be experienced. Watching the race above row twenty guarantees

you the viewing pleasure of the entire racing surface at most NASCAR’s oval

tracks. However, any seat above row ten is ideal for racetracks like Bristol and

Richmond. For Daytona and Talladega, the best seats are those above row

forty.
You should avoid high seats at some racetracks as these seats can make you

weak in the knees. It is also ideal to select seats that are close to the walkway

between seat sections. You can also ask about visual barriers, like

catch-fencing, support beams or any infield obstructions while getting your

tickets. It is important to always ask about the type of seats you are buying.

Bleacher seats are bad, bench seats are slightly better but the best seats are

stadium-type seats. The third type of seat mentioned offers a fold-down plastic

seat but is usually offered in the more expensive terrace sections.

Planning Your Trip

Planning Your Trip

Planning on a trip to watch a NASCAR race? Others would be lucky enough to

be located near racetracks that hold NASCAR-sanctioned races. But if you are

one of those fanatics unfortunately living far from a racetrack holding a

NASCAR race, decide on two things: Will you drive? Or will you fly? The easiest

decision would be to fly, of course, but this may seem too costly and also may

loose the feeling of adventure. However, there are others who would choose to

fly to the location for security measures. You are guaranteed to arrive at the

city hosting the NASCAR race fast and easily. Accommodation is also easy and

can be done through booking a hotel room nearest to the location of the
racetrack. There are also others that camp out during the NASCAR season at

nearby parks.

On the other hand, driving would be a choice for some as this gives them the

feeling of being in a NASCAR race and maintains the sense of adventure. Now,

if you are planning on a NASCAR trip, the great way to do so is by renting a

recreational vehicle or RV.

The first step in planning a NASCAR trip is getting a motor home. If you already

own one, you are good to go otherwise there are motor homes available for

rentals. Additionally, buying a new or used RV would give you extra time in

planning a NASCAR trip in the future. Be sure to make your reservations for the

motor home well in advance for your planned trip. Motor home trips are

popular during the NASCAR season. By planning your rental reservations in

advance, you will be assured of a motor home in time for the trip, as well as

options to choose from.

The next step in planning a motor home trip for a NASCAR event is to create a

checklist. This would usually include anything that you need and want to bring

on your trip, such as: clothing, food, movies, game and others. Creating a list

would ensure that you do not leave anything important behind. Always keep
your list in a safe yet easily accessible spot for you to add more items for your

NASCAR trip.

Shopping is also important. This step is included if you are either planning a

motor home trip or taking an airplane to the designated NASCAR racetrack

location. It is important to start early; the earlier you start, the more time you

will have to find the best deals. Do not forget to include camping supplies,

clothing, food and others your deemed necessary to include. NASCAR trip via

motor home can also prove to be costly but by doing early shopping, you can

reduce the cost associated with the trip. Plus, when you get to the location, you

do not need to find a hotel to accommodate you since RVs have all the

necessities you will need. It is impossible to feel left out because several

NASCAR fanatics also use motor homes in planning their trips.

Be sure to start packing your things early and keep your supplies in bags that

you can easily load in the motor home. While loading items on the RV, always

check the list that you have previously created to keep you and your things

organized and avoid confusion. As for the trip itself, be sure that you know the

route you plan to take. Doing this, would help you arrive at your destination

safely. Additionally, be sure to inform a friend or a family member about the

route you are intending to use as travel routes.

There are several RV parks and public campground with motor home

accommodations you can book. It is important to book early to establish the

space you will need for your motor home since many NASCAR fans really like to

travel by RV. A campground located near the NASCAR racetrack is also ideal if

you are a NASCAR fanatic.

NASCAR races are usually not the only activity that you can enjoy once in your

selected destination city. There are other activities and attractions that may

peak your interest and it would also be nice if you check them out. Many

NASCAR track websites even contain information on local activities, attractions

and overnight accommodations. Checking on the available information about

your destination city would be helpful if you are planning a motor home

NASCAR trip.

What Should You Bring?

What You Should Bring on Your Trip

You have recently made the necessary arrangements to attend a live NASCAR

race but this is your first time and you do not know what to bring on your trip.

There are several items, like food and clothing, available at a number of

NASCAR racetracks. Yet it is also important to be fully prepared for the trip.
Bringing food and drinks is important when entering the racetrack but be sure

that you have eaten a full meal before attending a race. If you have friends

with you, you may benefit from a tailgate party before the race. Items like

snacks and drinks are always available at NASCAR races but you might be put

off by the costs of them and so it may be a better option if you bring your own.

Be sure that you only bring the amount you need since most NASCAR tracks

only allow limited amounts of food, snacks, and drinks inside the gates.

Another item you need to bring is the appropriate clothing. Before going on a

trip, be sure to check the latest weather forecast. You do not want to dress

casually and find out that the city is experiencing serious weather conditions. If

there is a slight chance of raining, bring an umbrella or a raincoat with you.

However, do not leave these items in your room but also bring them with you

when you are going to the racetrack. Dress lightly if the weather forecast calls

for a bright sunny day with warm temperatures. This kind of weather is also

ideal for trips since it will not cause you to bring extra baggage. If you want to

embody the NASCAR fever, there are NASCAR merchandises and shirts that

you can buy once you have arrived at the NASCAR racetrack.

Binoculars are also important. These items are ideal for seeing as much of the

race as possible. Do not think that even if you have good seats, you do not

need binoculars. Even if you are in a good seat, it may be hard for you to see
the rest of the action without a pair of binoculars. Also, you do not need to buy

expensive ones; even those that are affordably priced are good enough.

Another item you might want to bring along is a camera. There is nothing like

capturing the moment during a NASCAR event. If this is the first time you are

going to attend such event, it is ideal to document the NASCAR experience.

Many racetracks prohibit the use of camcorders during the race though it may

be possible if you use a digital camera instead. Digital cameras produce the

best quality photographs. You might not know it but there might be a moment

when you get the chance to snap a photo of you with your favorite driver.

It is only recently that most NASCAR race attendees wore headphones. These

headphones are actually scanners and allow them to listen to the two-way

communication between the crew chief, spotter, and driver and sometimes

between two drivers. When you are using a scanner at short tracks, three or

four drivers might keep you busy but super speedway tracks allow you to pay

attention to seven or eight drivers without being plagued. If you are planning

to bring a scanner on your trip, you might often hear the word “clear”. The

spotter says this word to inform the driver that there is no longer a car next to

him. Other exciting messages you can hear are the strategy discussions such

as: when to pit, who to pit with, who to draft with, when to lay back and when

to press hard. Additionally, other fans use a scanner to listen to MRN

broadcasts of the race. This is very helpful in giving you the right information

about what is going on with the race and who is leading. MRN broadcasters

always talk about the most exciting actions that are happening in the race. If

you cannot seem to see the action yourself, listening to the broadcast would be

very useful.

The last thing you need to bring with you is your excitement. Nothing beats the

experience of attending a NASCAR race when you really enjoy it. Make sure

that you have a lot of fun. This would also help you in commemorating the trip

once you are back home.

Accommodations

Selecting Accommodations

The first important factor in attending a NASCAR race is getting a great deal for

the tickets. However, you should also examine other options as soon as

possible. These include the options for your overnight or week long

accommodation. NASCAR fans have a lot of alternatives in attending a long

distance NASCAR event or other events that are available in the city. If you are

going camping, then you do not need to worry about the accommodation since

most cities that host NASCAR events have parks that allow RVs. An important

factor you also need to consider is the location of the accommodation. Is it

near to the NASCAR race track? Staying within the vicinity can save you the

extra time in traveling to the NASCAR race track. Plus, if you are planning to

bring your family with you, you might want to choose places that can

accommodate the number of persons going with you.

However, if you are not attending the NASCAR race by RV, hotels are the most

popular accommodations available. Hotels can be affordable and prevent you

from experiencing extra hassles. Some of the establishments even offer

breakfast meals included in the package to help you save some money. You do

not have to worry about selecting hotels since most cities that host NASCAR

events have hotels that are located near the NASCAR tracks. With that said,

you may still want to reserve your room ahead of time. NASCAR events are

extremely popular and people are going to be flocking to the city to watch the

race. Some of them also choose to stay at hotels. Nearby hotels can be filled

easily during NASCAR events. Early reservations guarantee the

accommodation you need for the trip.

Aside from hotels, there are also bed and breakfast inns that prove to be a

good option for NASCAR fans that are looking for a hassle free stay. In case

you are not able to reserve a hotel room, inns are always the best options. Bed

and breakfast inns are fairly small in size. It is also popular with other tourists

as they have a nice home-like feel to them at all times.

Bringing back the issue of RV traveling, RV parks are another well-known

overnight accommodation alternative for NASCAR race fans that own a motor

home. There are several RV parks, which are open campgrounds, available in

NASCAR-hosting cities and most of them cater to motor home owners. There

are also others with larger rental spaces to ensure that you are not contained

in a small area. Motor homes are very similar to your own home in the sense

that it includes the necessary facilities you need for day-to-day activities.

These facilities are bathrooms, beds, television and some even have kitchens.

Like hotel reservations, it is necessary to guarantee your spot since many

NASCAR fans are also motor home owners and a motor home trip is very

popular to some of them. Local RV parks are most likely to easily fill up. Be

sure to book your reservations well in advance of your trip.

If you are not one of those NASCAR fans that own a motor home, there are

several RV rental companies in the United States. It is important to plan ahead

and reserve a recreational vehicle. Additionally, reserving a motor home early

can enable you to choose from several varieties. Renting a motor home also

adds to the adventure of taking a long distance road trip and camping

adventure.
If renting a motor home is out of the budget, local parks do not only

accommodate RV owners but also those that want to camp in tents. Most

NASCAR events happen in places where there is warm weather, especially in

the south. This weather is perfect for camping. Additionally, camping is

typically the most affordable overnight accommodation for NASCAR fans.

As mentioned above, there are several overnight or even week long

accommodation options that you can choose from when attending a NASCAR

race. To summarize it all, there are hotels, bed and breakfast inns, RV parks

and several public campgrounds. Whatever option you might choose, be sure

to make you reservations well in advance for your trip. Always remember that

there are usually more race fans also looking out for several accommodations

options and there is always going to be limited rooms or camping spaces to go

around.

NASCAR Collectibles

Where to Buy NASCAR Collectibles

Many NASCAR fans collect NASCAR memorabilia. If you want to start collecting

such items, there are several benefits that you could have, such as: the feeling

that you are showing support for the sport and the potential of making a profit.

There are a lot of variations in NASCAR collectibles but there is a big difference

between NASCAR merchandise and NASCAR memorabilia. NASCAR

merchandise are those items that fans use and wear, like clothing, and home

decorations. On the other hand, NASCAR memorabilia is used to refer to the

objects that have some deeper value and often times expensive. There are a

lot of professional NASCAR collectors and dealers that consider limited edition

car models, die cast cars and others to be memorabilia. If you are new to

collecting NASCAR memorabilia and have a friend who is a total hardcore fan of

the sport, you may want to seek his advice on how to start your very own

collections. There are also several Web sites that can help you get started and

NASCAR fan clubs that sell memorabilia.

Now that you have the idea between a memorabilia and merchandise, the next

thing you need to think about is how you can start to collect such items. There

are a number of options you could choose from. There might even be local

shops near you that sell NASCAR collectibles. Most of these items can be found

in specialty sports and racing stores and try to find those that have a

collectables theme. To find local shops that cater to your desire to collect

NASCAR memorabilia, try searching for them on the Internet or a local phone

book.

Using the Internet can also help you in finding the information you need about

several other collectors out there. Some of these collectors might even sell

NASCAR memorabilia. Additionally, most shops that specialize in the sports of

racing also operate online. If you want to use the Internet as a way of getting

started or finding the collectable you need, a simple search using phrases such

as “NASCAR collectibles” would suffice. However, if you want to search for

something particular, you may choose for something like “Dale Earnhardt die

cast car”. These are just alternatives and examples you can apply in your

searches and they mostly depend on how patient you are in looking for the

memorabilia you want.

Another great way to help you find NASCAR memorabilia for sale, are the

races. However, most of the items you might find at racetracks are considered

to be merchandise, there are other items that can be categorized as

memorabilia. A lot of NASCAR racetracks have shops in them and some of

them even allow other NASCAR dealers to set up shops. Third-party dealers

are a great way in finding collectibles.

There are also garage or yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets and online

auction Web sites that can help you in finding NASCAR memorabilia. These

sites typically specialize in selling used items but most of them are still in great

condition. You might be surprised to find memorabilia from retired drivers and

other collectibles when you check the mentioned locations out.

NASCAR memorabilia that are ideal to collect are autographed NASCAR photos

and helmets that are also autographed by your favorite driver. There is a Web

site, namely www.redline-7000.com that contains a number of memorabilia

depending on who your favorite drivers are. This is just one Web site example

that you can visit to help you get started in collecting NASCAR memorabilia.

Those mentioned methods on how and where to buy NASCAR memorabilia are

just a few of the many ways that you can apply. There are fans out there that

create their own methods through the use of their own creativity and patience.

These traits are important for a collector. You should also know the reason why

you want to start collecting NASCAR items. If you are collecting for the sole

reason of enjoyment, you may have more freedom in buying the items you

want. Others who collect to make a profit should try to buy NASCAR

memorabilia using a business standpoint; purchases must be made wisely.

Additionally, you should have experience in researching as this can help you in

determining the estimated value of rare or limited edition collectibles. This will

prevent you from being ripped off from the original price.

Have a NASCAR Party

Planning a NASCAR Party at Home

If you are a NASCAR fan then you might enjoy attending NASCAR events.

However, there may be a time when, depending on what the circumstances

are, you cannot attend a NASCAR event. There are other NASCAR fans out

there that cannot attend a race themselves. The option would be to throw a

NASCAR party at home. You may have some friends that are also fans of

NASCAR and this is great way to plan a party. There are some people who do

not know how to plan a NASCAR party. The first thing you need to consider is

a guest list. You do not have to send out formal invitations but you must try to

get an accurate number of the people who would be attending the party.

As soon as you have determined who is going to the party and you want to

throw it in your own home, you may want to look out for great deals. Planning

a party, if you are not careful, can be expensive. That is why you need to try

and buy the snacks and drinks when they are on sale. After buying the food

you need for the party, you may want to store them in a separate area away

from the storage of the food for your everyday consumption. A desirable space

would be a spare closet in another room of your home. Two days or a day

before the actual NASCAR party, it is necessary to recheck the supplies you

have stored in case you’ve missed anything. Is the food enough for the people

who are going to attend? Are there enough plates, cups and utensils? These

questions are necessary and might help you determine if you need some last

minute supplies.
A NASCAR party is not a champagne and caviar event. The food selection

should be casual and fun. There are several cookbooks that you can consult if

you are not sure what additional items you want to serve your guests during

the party. The recipes should be full of flavor but not too spicy to let everyone

enjoy.

Assuming that you have already confirmed with those who are going to attend,

it is also important to contact those who are yet to return your call. Ask them

if they are still interested in attending the party and remind them about the

date of the race.

Cleaning your home is important. Any guest attending a party does not want to

attend one with a slob for a host. This is an important task that often falls at the

back of the list when planning a party. You may also want to clean your home

as much as possible, especially those areas that are likely to be visited by your

guests, i.e. television room, kitchen and bathrooms. Changes in the house

may also be necessary before the party. This involves moving furniture a little

bit and rearranging things to properly accommodate your guests. Additionally,

make sure that you have enough seats for your guests. If not, you can try to

ask some of your guests to bring lawn chairs. The best arrangement of seating

during a race day party is a stadium seating. Try to arrange the chairs in the
shape of an L and provide extra chairs around the border of the room. This kind

of arrangement can help your guests to have an excellent view of the television

and they can also easily converse with one another while watching. Remember

to put tables throughout the room, instead of a single location.

Decorating the room, where you and your guests will be watching the race, is

completely optional though this might add some points for you as a host. You

can decorate the room with balloons with the colors or photos of your favorite

NASCAR driver. There are also outlets that sell NASCAR themed supplies and

offer a wide variety of choices. Buying in bulk from these merchandisers can

help you get better deals.

Going back to the food, remember that party food is messy, such as: barbeque

sauce, salsa or ketchup and they always have a way of ending up on clothing

or the carpet. Equip yourself with anti-stain cleaners to aid you during the

cleanup. You can also choose to use disposable plates and other utensils to

avoid long hours of cleaning after the party.

Start Your Own Fan Club

A NASCAR Fan Club

Creating a NASCAR fan club takes a lot of time to operate. Although it is a

hobby, it should not be taken lightly. There will be a time when you will be
accepting money to provide a service and it is your duty to seriously review

how much time in your day you can spare and if you want that time to be taken

by running a fan club. However, the exact amount of time you put in the fan

club depends on what you offer to your members. There is also the matter of

creating publications about the fan club and NASCAR, though this will only take

a short time each month. If you are working full time and have NASCAR as a

hobby to fill up your extra time, you might want to think about what you’ll be

committing to before starting anything up.

But if you really want to set up a NASCAR fan club, you must also consider the

money. Like any other fan club, a NASCAR fan club can cost money and

possibly generate some too. This is why some fan clubs sell merchandises to

gain profit and continue to invest in the fan club. Setting up a NASCAR fan club

itself costs money and, if you are going to be the president, this cost must

come from you. The exact amount of setting up a NASCAR fan club varies

depending on what you want to offer through your club. You will have to figure

the cost of stationery, the original fan club magazine, photos, membership

cards and postage. There is also the cost of club advertising in various

publications. The projected number of members should also be considered;

whether you are going for a small NASCAR fan club with 50 members or as

large as 1000 members. However, it is always better to start small with a

simple newsletter and expand as the membership grows. Refrain from making
too many promises at the outset as this can make the fan club end with few

members.

Like many fan clubs out there, a NASCAR fan club must be given permission

first from the correct authorities. The entertainment industry, as well as

NASCAR, is very careful about copyright laws and you might just end up with

a lawsuit if you start the fan club without prior permission. The same holds true

for online fan clubs and Web sites. It is better to check with a NASCAR agent to

know the policies in setting up a NASCAR fan club. The good news is, NASCAR

allows fans to set up their own fan clubs. However if you choose to run an

unofficial fan club, you must always be ready for the chance for it to cease and

desist operation.

The next thing you need to consider is the reason why you want to set up a

NASCAR fan club. Some of the people that establish a fan club have underlying

hope that it will eventually lead to some kind of communication with a NASCAR

celebrity. This is not necessarily a bad reason. You should start a fan club for

the reason that you want to connect with other fans, share information that

you have gathered about NASCAR and help them get in touch with each other

through a network.
It is important to know what your fan club will offer to fellow fans and how

much to charge for it. The one standard in every fan club is a publication of

some sort. This can serve as a means of communication between club

members. There are also other clubs that offer membership cards and

packages. Here is where you can apply your creativity. You can offer just about

anything as long as it incorporates everything that has to do with NASCAR.

Allow the club to grow along with its membership. You do not have to start big

as this may prove to be too costly.

Setting up a NASCAR fan club can be time consuming but it is important that

you enjoy what you do. This is a hobby and hobbies should be enjoyed. You, as

the fan club president, should always project the right attitude for your

members; if you do not enjoy what you do, your member might start to leave

the club. Additionally, if you do not enjoy the fan club, there is no reason for

you to be doing it. A terrific fan club president must be enthusiastic and

motivating

Why NASCAR?

What Makes NASCAR So Appealing

There are others out there that do not easily get what makes NASCAR

appealing to the fans. Yes, it still involves fast cars but why NASCAR and why

not F1? The answer would be in the phrase “to each his own”. Every person is
entitled to his or own sports preferences. Still, there are innumerable fans of

NASCAR out there and they are willing to travel miles just to get a glimpse of

their favorite driver.

What makes NASCAR most appealing is probably the driver. There are around

sixty drivers that are currently driving in NASCAR events and each of them has

their own set of fans. Every taste of a fan, in terms of personality, has its match

to a driver. You may be young and hip like Dale Earnhardt Jr. or quiet but

competent similar to Matt Kenseth or maybe aggressive and outrageous,

which are the characteristics of driver Robby Gordon. You need to learn the

personalities of each driver and the rivalry that exists between them to truly

enjoy NASCAR. NASCAR is the only sport that makes the driver matter.

Compared to F1, where there is a focus on the technology and equipments

used on the machine, NASCAR does not only give importance to the stock car

but also to the person who is driving it. Additionally, NASCAR may be the only

sport where the drivers are more accessible to the fans. You cannot compare

the feeling of talking to your favorite driver to just watching them from the

sidelines.

NASCAR racing is not just a game. Every time a driver sets out to compete, he

risks his life just to cross that finish line. The risk that is involved in every

NASCAR race can also be the reason why NASCAR is so interesting to fans. You
would not be that excited if you were watching drivers racing in bumper cars;

the drivers would probably not even race. NASCAR races rarely end without car

wrecks. These debacles might be fascinating to other fans that shout at the

very sight of smoke and cars spinning on the racetrack. NASCAR would have

little appeal if not for those car wrecks.

You would see drivers getting out of those wrecks and others, like Dale

Earnhardt Sr., that would even sacrifice victory just to check on a fellow racer

whose car has been destroyed. These dramas add to the appeal of NASCAR.

The immortality that radiates from the driver every time they survive a wreck

draws attention from fans. It is fascinating how a driver can crawl from a pile

of metal and even wave to the incessantly watching crowd. These gods or

demons of the racetrack have complete control over their destiny and this is

why fans support them. They project a person who is in complete control of his

life and is willing to risk it all for the sake of crossing the finish line and

satisfying the crowd.

You have to attend a race yourself to fully comprehend the appeal of NASCAR.

Nothing beats seeing the action on the oval track; the complete control of the

drivers over their cars when they make a turn and the stiff competition

between racers. Attending a NASCAR race will stimulate your five senses.

You’ll see the brightly colored cars, hear the loud screams of the fans and the
screeching sounds of the cars, smell burnt rubber and brake dust, taste that

cold drink you have with you on a hot sunny day, and feel the earth shake as

the cars charge past each other. These will surely get you hooked on NASCAR

and you might even consider another trip.

NASCAR is also a family experience. Many NASCAR fans bring their family with

them during races. There is nothing like the feelings of sharing your love for

the sport with the people whom you are closest. It is nice to know that you

have something that you and your children can enjoy. There are other fans

that pass their love and support for the sport to their children and even their

grandchildren.

NASCAR is not only appealing to the fans but also to several corporations in

America. Many loyal NASCAR fans influence their preferences of a particular

brand over its competitors simply because the company that owns that brand

is sponsoring their favorite driver. This has happened on several occasions.

Additionally, there many NASCAR teams recognized by their sponsors.

All About the Cars

It’s about the Cars

NASCAR-sanctioned races are listed into different categories, such as: The

Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire
Series, NASCAR Corona Series and the Regional Racing Series. The several

NASCAR series involve the use of different kinds of cars. They differ in terms of

the size of the car and the engine.

The Sprint Cup series, which has evolved from the early Strictly Stock Series in

1949, involves the use of cars that are front engine rear-wheel drive. These

cars are high powered vehicles with a roll cage that serves as a space frame

chassis and a thin sheet of metal covering. The cars used in the Sprint Cup

series are slightly larger than those that are used for the Nationwide Series and

are completely different from the Craftsman Truck Series. Another features of

the cars used in the Sprint Cup series are the closed cockpits, fenders and an

aerodynamic splitter. The costs of the cars used each NASCAR season are

usually within the price range of $10-20 million.

The engines of the Sprint Cup series cars are powered by V8 engines that are

carbureted. Additionally, the engines are accompanied with cast iron blocks

and cylinders that are activated by a pushrod valve train. Currently, Chrysler,

Ford, GM and Toyota are the car companies that represent the cars being used

in the series. Chrysler’s Dodge Charger R/T uses a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine that

produces 340 hp or 254 kW and 390 ft-lb of torque. Ford’s Fusion, on the other

hand, uses a 3.0L Duratec 30 V6. This kind of engine produces 221 hp or 165

kW and 205 ft-lb of torque. The Chevrolet Impala SS from General Motors has
a base engine of 3.5L V6 producing 211 hp or 157 kW of power. Lastly,

Toyota’s Toyota Camry has three engines available although the engine 3.5L

2GR-FE V6 is mostly used during races. This engine produces 268 hp of power.

The manufacturers that represent the Nationwide Series are the same as the

Sprint Cup. However, the cars used are completely different. To the untrained

eye, there might be a similarity between the size of the cars used in the Sprint

Cup Series and the Nationwide Series. The cars being used in the Nationwide

Series are the Dodge Charger from Chrysler, Ford Fusion from Ford, Chevrolet

Monte Carlo SS from General Motors and the Toyota Camry from Toyota. The

new Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS was introduced in 2005. This car uses a 3.5L V6

engine that produces 210 hp or 156 kW of power.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is the only NASCAR series that races

modified production pickup trucks but is still considered as the third division of

the three NASCAR national divisions. Starting in the year 1995 to 2008,

Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Toyota have been representing the

vehicles used in the series. The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck from

Chrysler that is available in three models: 1500, 2500/3500 and the SRT-10.

The engine for the 1500 model is a 5.9L Magnum V8 the produces 245 hp or

183 kW of power and 345 ft-lb of torque. The 2500/3500 models can produce

345 hp or 257 kW at 5400 rpm of power, as well as 375 ft-lb at 4200 rpm of
torque by using a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine. The last model is the SRT-10 that is

accompanied by an 8.3L Viper V10. This kind of engine produces 500-510 hp

or 373 kW of power and 525-535 fl-lb of torque. The F-150 from Ford is also a

full-size pickup truck. This series of trucks are available in seven models,

including: the XL, STX, XLT, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch, and the Harley Davidson.

Depending on the model used in the race, there are three choices for engines,

such as: the 4.2L EFI v6, 4.6L EFI V8, and the 3-valve 5.4L Triton EFI V8.

General Motors’ Chevrolet Silverado has been used for NASCAR races since

1995 although it has been redesigned to achieve the GMT900 generation

models of pick-up trucks during the last quarter of 2006. The Chevrolet

Silverado is available with four different engines though only the V8 engines

are used to meet the specifications for the Craftsman Truck Series. The Toyota

Tundra with the 5.7L V8 381 horsepower engine is also used for the Craftsman

Truck Series. Toyota has been representing Craftsman Truck Series since

2004.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the NASCAR Corona Series are held at

Montreal and Mexico respectively. The cars being used for the NASCAR

Canadian Tire Series are limited to manufacturers that supply long-developed

crate motors. On the other hand, the NASCAR Corona Series uses the same

cars similar to those at the Sprint Cup Series.

The Regional Racing Series, which includes the Whelen All-American Series

and the Camping World Series, is an additional racing series. The Whelen

All-American Series uses open-wheeled and modified cars compared to the

cars being used at the Camping World Series, which are similar to that of the

Nationwide Series cars.

Qualifying as a Driver

How does someone qualify as a NASCAR driver?

Are you planning to be the next Dale Earnhardt Sr.? Others would suggest that

it is easier to start at a young age at around four years old. There are NASCAR

fans that engage their own children in the sports by teaching them how to ride

karts at their local racetracks. However, it is never too late to build your own

reputation in the world of fast cars, burnt fuel and skid marks that is NASCAR.

The hardest part in wanting to become a NASCAR driver is proving to others

that you have ability in driving fast cars able to set land speed records and

maneuvering them around oval racetracks. Proving these abilities would help

you quickly rise through the ranks and might even catch the eyes of car

companies’ bigwigs.

The first step to qualify as a NASCAR driver is to go to your local racetrack and

buy a pit pass if that is possible. It does not matter if the racetrack is either dirt

or asphalt. If you managed to buy a pit pass, go and try to have a conversation
with someone in the pits. There is an absolute possibility that you would meet

drivers, members of the crew or other officials there. These people are

immense resources that can provide you with a different perspective on what

it takes to get started at your local track. Always remember to be courteous

and they’ll be happy to talk to you as long as there are no pressing matters

they are currently attending to. You would want to ask them if they require a

certain minimum age since many tracks have age limits that are lower than the

driving age of your state. If you have a child that you want to be a professional

NASCAR driver someday but is too young, they would gladly direct you to a

local kart association. This is the best way to get started for children that are

too young to drive race cars.

Do not expect any freebies to be given though since you always need to play a

role in your ability to catch a break. It is also necessary to work hard and

practice often. If you seem to have a natural skill and some luck, all you need

to do is to harness this skill. Money is also important; just think of this as an

investment.

To become a NASCAR driver, it does not necessarily mean that you have to

depend on your raw racing talent. There are a lot of factors that will determine

if you are really fit to be a good NASCAR Driver, before you can see that green

flag at the Sprint Cup Series.

The first factor is your physical characteristics. Drivers are usually slim and

toned and these kinds of drivers have the most advantage over others that

have a heavier build. When it comes to racing, the weight of the driver

together with the car determines whether or not you can manage to turn left

on the oval racetrack.

You need to know that a driver would not be rich without his or her sponsors.

The key to success for a NASCAR driver are the sponsors. This is where your

education enters. You will need all possible advantages in order to correctly

represent the sponsor. Having a good education can give you charisma and the

ability to speak well in front of the camera. Everywhere you go, you will be

representing your sponsor and you will need the money from the sponsor if

you want to get a ride that has the best quality.

During the early years of NASCAR, school drop-outs can become successful but

with our generation’s state-of-the-art technology cars and the business side of

NASCAR, it is bare minimum if you only managed to finish high school. It has

been a trend for NASCAR drivers to have a good education and hold a degree

after Alan Kulwicki, who championed in the 1992 Winston Cup. He was the first

driver to earn a college degree. You must realize the importance of good

education if you really want to become a NASCAR driver.

You have to experience the different tiers of the NASCAR series. Getting all the

way up to the Sprint Cup Series will require hard work. Remember that you

have to give 100% if you really want to be recognized. Reaching the Sprint Cup

Series would help you become a legend. However, not making it does not

mean that you are not allowed to have fun. All you need to have is the drive to

learn.

Stars of NASCAR

Stars of NASCAR

Through the years, NASCAR has created legends that will always be

remembered by numerous fans but no tribute for NASCAR legends would be

complete without mentioning Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Earnhardt, Sr. was the

largest star ever to grace the racetracks of NASCAR. During his career, he

garnered several awards including: the Motor sports Hall of Fame of America in

2002 and International Motor sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Dale Earnhardt, Sr.

was also named number one among ESPN’s NASCAR’s 20 Greatest Drivers and

second among NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998 behind David Pearson.

After his tragic death, he was also named NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver in

2001. In the span of the early 1980’s until his death in 2001, he was known to

drive his #3 car. He has other sponsors during his career but his #3 car was

associated in the minds of the fans and his last sponsor, GM Goodwrench. His
#3 car also carries his color scheme, which includes a black car with bold red

and silver trim. This color scheme is still one of the most famous logos in

racing.

Johnny Allen was also a NASCAR star. He was an admirer of the local Corpus

Christie track where his foremost race car was a Kaiser. He was able to

compete in twenty-two events in 1961 that qualified him a pole for the

Birmingham. He also finished third at Darlington and Nashville. During that

season, his record was three top fives and eleven top tens. Johnny Allen also

entered another twenty events during that year that provided him with a win at

the Bowman-Gray Stadium in North Carolina.

Robert “Red” Byron made history by winning the first NASCAR Strictly Stock

Championship in 1949. In a number of fifteen races, the managed to score two

poles, two wins, and seven top ten finishes. Poor health made him choose to

retire from racing. However, he became the manager of a Corvette team that

aimed in the development of American sports car that would be able to win

Grand Prix races.

Jimmy Hendrickson was known for being a “gentleman” in races. He did not

start to compete in races until near the end of his driving days but he always

managed to leave a strong impression on other competitors, sponsors,

officials, writers, sports announcers and fans. He was known for being smooth

and not abusive to the car. This gave him the nickname “Mr. Clean”.

Dale Earnhardt, Sr. might have left his legacy to his youngest son Dale

Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR is also in his blood since his father was a NASCAR legend

and his grandfather was a NASCAR car builder. Earnhardt, Jr. battled for the

title of Raybestos NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award in 2000, where his

primary competitor was Matt Kenseth. He also became the first rookie to win

the All-Star exhibition race. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has already succeeded in

accomplishing three straight wins at the Talladega racetrack but he was

planning to accomplish something that neither his father nor his master Buddy

Baker had been able to achieve, which is to make it to four straight wins.

During the race, the nose of Dale’s car was damaged as he managed his way

through an early wreck causing him to lose a lap a couple of times. However,

he coped and stayed on the lead lap. Earnhardt, Jr. rushed forward to gain lead

in the third turn with less than four laps ahead of him. The pass got him close

to breaching a rule banning the passing below a yellow line on the inside of the

track. Luckily, NASCAR stated that Earnhardt, Jr. had not gone below the line

and the pass he did was legal. At last, he won the Talladega for the fourth

straight time. This made him a legend in NASCAR history.

NASCAR would not have been possible if not for another legend named Bill
France, Sr. He was able to organize people and made NASCAR possible. In

1969, he built the Talladega Super speedway and also served as the Chairman

and CEO of NASCAR. He was heading NASCAR until the late 1980s when he

turned the leadership to his son Bill France, Jr. Bill France, Sr. also built the

International Motor sports Hall of Fame and he was inducted in its first class on

July 25, 1990.

Memorable Moments

Memorable NASCAR Moments

NASCAR moments are the little things that create legends. The incredible

strategy used by the drivers to outwit their opponents is enough to leave the

audience in awe. Incredible NASCAR moments would not be remembered if not

for the sheer intensity of the race and the fascination of the crowd. One

NASCAR moment would be the first Daytona 500. This event drew almost

43,000 spectators to the newly constructed Daytona International Speedway.

The record purse then was $67,760. The race was the first of many close and

dramatic finishes in NASCAR history. It ended with a three-way closure

amongst drivers Lee Petty, Johnny Beauchamp and Joe Weatherly. At first, the

officials immediately announced Beauchamp as the winner. Persistent Petty

was so sure he had won and continuously stuck around for three days

persuading NASCAR officials. After reviewing still photos and footages of the
finish, officials decided that Petty won by about 2 feet and was awarded with

the victory. This happened in February 22, 1959.

Years have gone by and NASCAR has collected other moments that have kept

fans wanting more. February 18, 1979 not only provided fans with an intense

NASCAR race but also a live driver-to-driver fighting scene. Thanks to a

massive snowstorm, audiences were left to watch a NASCAR race on a huge

TV. During the concluding lap, Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough were

fighting for the win. In an effort to pass Allison, Yarborough got low and caused

Allison to move down to block. The tires on the left side of Yarborough’s car

touched the infield grass and the two cars bumped several times with each

other and eventually crashed. As Richard Petty was about to win the race, both

Allison and Yarborough got out of their cars and started to duel with words. As

the banter between the two started to pass, Donnie’s brother Bobby stopped

his car to defend him. This ended in a helmet-bashing and kicking action fiasco

all shown live on national television.

Another NASCAR moment was Davey Allison’s victory in the 1992 all-star

event. Allison, Kyle Petty, and Earnhardt were battling during the final lap for

the win. Earnhardt spun coming off to Turn 3 while Allison and Petty were

continuously dueling. Allison ducked under Petty to snatch the victory causing
contact between the two cars. This sent Allison’s car into the LMS wall and the

driver to the emergency room instead of the Victory Lane.

There are other NASCAR moments including Rusty Wallace’s spin against

Darrel Waltrip in the 1989 all-star event. Wallace won inducing the anger of

both Waltrip and his fans. Darrel Waltrip was not all that miserable during the

year 1989. He was already a three-time champion but he came to Daytona

without a victory in the 500 in his first seventeen tries. It was one for the books

when Waltrip, conserving gas, managed to win the Daytona 500. He

celebrated at the victory circle yelling “I won the Daytona 500! I won the

Daytona 500,” repeatedly.

Of all the memorable NASCAR moment, nothing beats Dale Earnhardt’s “Pass

in the Grass”. He managed to snatch a victory against Bill Elliott in the 1987

all-star race. The technique was executed in the infield along the front stretch

of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. This victory gave Earnhardt his first of three

all-star victories.

Dale Earnhardt didn’t experience all victories. He experienced his share of

losses but nothing was more hurtful than the Daytona 500 on February 17,

1990. The Daytona 500 kept eluding the Intimidator but it seemed that he was

likely to finally achieve it when he was easily leading the race as he drove off
the second turn of the last lap. If not for a piece of metal lost on the racetrack

that pierced through Earnhardt’s car tire, Derrike Cope would not have

accomplished the biggest upset win in Daytona 500 history. Cope drove pass

the debris that was Earnhardt’s car and won making Earnhardt brood over the

worst loss of his career.

That was Earnhardt’s worst loss, but NASCAR’s biggest loss was the death of

Dale Earnhardt himself. Sad as it seems, this is one of the most memorable

moments in NASCAR history. Earnhardt was on the final lap of the race, falling

behind Michael Waltrip and son Earnhardt Jr, when he got involved in a crash

that did not seem serious at first glance. Minutes later, NASCAR’s biggest star

was dead. This accident caused NASCAR to develop their Car of Tomorrow and

other safety measures for drivers.

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