The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company known for stock car racing. Founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, it is one of the top motorsports organizations globally and one of the largest spectator sports in the United States. The company is privately owned and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Jim France has been the CEO since August 2018. NASCAR sanctions over 1,500 races annually at more than 100 tracks in 48 US states and internationally in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe.
In 1903, a historic race was held at Daytona Beach between Ransom Olds and Alexander Winton, marking the beginning of the area's association with fast cars. This event set the stage for Daytona Beach becoming a preferred location for land speed records.
In 1905, Daytona Beach saw its first land speed record set, cementing its reputation as a premier location for high-speed automotive events. This was the start of 15 records being set on the Daytona Beach Road Course by 1935.
The Securities Act of 1933 was established to regulate the securities industry and protect investors from fraud. Its relevance was reaffirmed in a 2022 court ruling on targeted solicitation via social media.
The repeal of Prohibition in 1933 led to a decline in the moonshine business. However, many Southern drivers continued to race modified cars, evading tax authorities and entertaining rural audiences in the Southern United States.
By 1935, Daytona Beach had become synonymous with fast cars, thanks to the 15 land speed records set on the Daytona Beach Road Course. The area became a hub for automotive speed enthusiasts.
In 1935, Bill France Sr. moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, from Washington, D.C., to escape the Great Depression. Familiar with the area's land speed record history, he immersed himself in the local racing scene.
In 1935, Bill France Sr. started organizing races in Daytona Beach, aiming to create a fair competition environment for drivers, unlike other organizers who often cheated winners out of their payouts. This initiative laid the groundwork for what would become NASCAR in 1948.
On March 8, 1936, a diverse group of drivers gathered at Daytona Beach, Florida, to compete in a race to determine the fastest cars and best drivers. The race saw lightweight Fords claim the top six finishes, with Milt Marion declared the winner and Bill France finishing fifth.
In 1936, Bill France Sr. participated in an event at Daytona Beach, finishing fifth. This experience further entrenched him in the world of auto racing.
In 1936, drivers raced on a 4.1-mile course at Daytona Beach, consisting of beach and blacktop sections. This unique course solidified Daytona Beach's status as a key location for automotive racing.
By early 1947, Bill France Sr. announced the foundation of the National Championship Stock Car Circuit (NCSCC), aiming to create a unified series of racing competitors. The season began in January 1947 at Daytona Beach and concluded in December, with Fonty Flock declared the champion.
On December 14, 1947, Bill France Sr. began discussions with influential racers and promoters at the Ebony Bar in the Streamline Hotel, Daytona Beach, Florida. These talks led to the formation of NASCAR on February 21, 1948.
On February 15, 1948, NASCAR hosted its first sanctioned event at Daytona Beach. Red Byron emerged victorious in the Modified division race, marking the beginning of NASCAR's official racing events.
On February 21, 1948, NASCAR was officially formed following discussions initiated by Bill France Sr. with other leading figures in racing. This marked the beginning of a new era in organized stock car racing.
In 1948, Bill France Sr. founded the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), establishing it as one of the premier motorsports organizations globally. The company, headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, began as a sanctioning body for stock car racing and has since grown to sanction over 1,500 races annually.
On June 19, 1949, the inaugural NASCAR "Strictly Stock" race was held at Charlotte Speedway. Jim Roper won the race after Glenn Dunaway was disqualified for altered rear springs. Initially, cars raced with minimal modifications, but this changed over time.
In 1950, the "Strictly Stock Division" was renamed the "Grand National" division. This marked a significant shift in NASCAR's history, allowing more modifications for safety and performance, eventually leading to purpose-built race cars by the mid-1960s.
On July 1, 1952, Buddy Shuman won a 200-lap race at Stamford Park, Ontario, marking the first NASCAR competition held outside the United States.
In 1953, Bill France Sr. founded the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) to construct and manage race tracks for NASCAR competitions.
In the spring of 1954, NASCAR became a sanctioning body for stock car racing on the Pacific Coast under the leadership of Bob Barkhimer. This expansion was facilitated by the relationship between Bill France Jr. and Barkhimer, further growing the sport's reach.
On August 16, 1963, in the International 200, Smokey Cook drove an MG to a 17th-place finish. This event showcases early interest from foreign manufacturers in NASCAR.
In 1971, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company became the first title sponsor of the Cup Series, renaming it the Winston Cup Series. This sponsorship brought a new points system and substantial cash prizes.
In 1972, NASCAR's "modern era" began with the Winston Cup Series sponsorship by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The season was shortened to 31 races, and significant cash benefits were introduced for championship points.
The CASCAR Super Series, which later evolved into the NASCAR Canada Series, was founded in 1981.
The modern incarnation of the NASCAR Xfinity Series began in 1982, with sponsorship from Anheuser-Busch Brewing's Budweiser brand. This marked the start of a new era for the series.
In 1984, the series was renamed the Busch Grand National Series, reflecting continued sponsorship by Anheuser-Busch. This change helped solidify the series' identity.
The Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR’s oldest division, began operating as the Winston Modified Series in 1985.
In 1990, the film 'Days of Thunder,' featuring NASCAR racing, was released, contributing to the sport's cultural presence and popularity.
In 1994, NASCAR announced the formation of the NASCAR SuperTruck Series presented by Craftsman.
In 1994, the Winston Modified Series was renamed the Featherlite Trailers Modified Series.
The first race of the newly formed NASCAR SuperTruck Series presented by Craftsman took place in 1995.
In 1996, the NASCAR SuperTruck Series was renamed the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to emphasize Craftsman's involvement.
The SAFER Barrier, designed to absorb impact, was first used in 1998, although NASCAR was initially hesitant to mandate its installation.
In October 2000, Turner Sports acquired the digital rights to NASCAR and took over its website, which included features like RaceView and RaceBuddy.
In 2000, the deaths of Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, and Tony Roper led NASCAR to revisit safety measures, including the 'kill switch' throttle and anti-spill bladder in fuel cells.
In 2001, Dale Earnhardt died from a skull fracture after crashing into a concrete wall during the Daytona 500. This led to the implementation of the SAFER barrier and the mandatory use of the HANS device.
In 2001, Kevin Harvick became the first Cup Series driver to compete full-time in the Busch Series and win a title. He achieved this for Richard Childress Racing after Dale Earnhardt's death forced him into the Cup Series earlier than planned.
Since 2001, the NASCAR Cup Series season has included 36 races over 10 months, making it the most popular and profitable series in NASCAR. The term "Cup" is often used to refer to this series.
In 2002, over 9,000 drivers held licenses from NASCAR to race at all levels, showcasing the vast participation in the sport.
In 2004, Nextel Communications took over sponsorship of the premier series, renaming it the Nextel Cup Series. A new championship points system, "Chase for the Nextel Cup," was introduced, resetting points with ten races to go.
In 2004, NASCAR began sanctioning a mini stock racing series in Mexico, known as the Mexico T4 Series.
Between 2005 and 2007, NASCAR experienced a 21 percent drop in television ratings, marking a significant decline in viewer engagement during this period.
In 2005, 'Herbie: Fully Loaded,' a movie featuring NASCAR racing, was released, further embedding the sport in popular culture.
In 2005, NASCAR added a race at the Mexican road course Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to the Nationwide Series schedule, marking an expansion into international markets.
In 2005, NASCAR announced that the AutoZone Elite Division would be discontinued after the 2006 season due to difficulties in securing tracks and escalating costs.
In December 2006, NASCAR announced the creation of the NASCAR Corona Series (now Mexico Series), replacing the existing Desafío Corona Series, to begin in 2007.
In 2006, Toyota announced its entry into NASCAR. The company quickly achieved success, with drivers like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch winning several races. The inclusion of a foreign manufacturer was expected to increase competition and costs.
The AutoZone Elite Division was officially discontinued after the 2006 season due to difficulties in securing tracks and escalating costs.
In 2006, Kevin Harvick won his second Busch Series title while also competing in the Cup Series, making him the first driver to achieve this feat twice. This win marked the beginning of five consecutive titles in the NBS/NNS won by Cup Series regulars.
In 2006, NASCAR bought out the CASCAR Super Series, establishing the NASCAR Canada Series with races across six Canadian provinces.
In 2006, Jimmie Johnson began his record streak of five consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships, which lasted until 2010.
In 2006, 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,' a comedic film centered on NASCAR racing, was released, adding to the sport's visibility in media.
In May 2007, NNS director Joe Balash confirmed that NASCAR was exploring options to address the Buschwhacker controversy, which involved Cup Series drivers competing in the Nationwide Series. One proposed solution was to prevent Cup drivers from earning points in Nationwide races.
At the end of 2007, Anheuser-Busch's sponsorship of the series expired, marking the end of an era for the Busch Series. Nationwide Insurance took over sponsorship in the following year.
By 2007, NASCAR continued to see a decline in television ratings and ticket prices, indicating challenges in maintaining its audience.
In 2007, 'Ta Ra Rum Pum,' a Bollywood film featuring NASCAR racing, was released, showcasing the sport in international cinema.
In 2007, NASCAR expanded "The Chase" from ten to twelve drivers and eliminated the 400-point cutoff, giving additional points for race wins throughout the season.
In 2007, NASCAR included a race in Montreal, Canada, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in the Nationwide Series schedule, expanding its international presence.
In 2007, NASCAR introduced the Car of Tomorrow, which featured enhanced safety measures such as a higher roof, wider cockpit, and a centrally located driver seat.
In 2007, NASCAR switched to using unleaded fuel in all three of its top series, a year ahead of the originally scheduled 2008 adoption.
In 2007, the NASCAR Mexico Series (originally the NASCAR Corona Series) began its inaugural season.
Originally scheduled for 2008, NASCAR adopted the use of unleaded fuel across its top three series in 2007 to address environmental concerns.
NASCAR's Nationwide Series held its last race at the Mexican road course Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in 2008, ending a four-year stint in Mexico.
In 2008, the NASCAR Xfinity Series gained a new sponsor, Nationwide Insurance, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the series.
In 2008, the premier series was renamed the Sprint Cup Series following the merger between Nextel and Sprint. The points system also saw changes, with bonuses introduced for race wins.
In 2008, the ARCA Menards Series' East and West divisions came together under the sponsorship of Camping World, creating the Camping World Series.
In 2008, NASCAR settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $2.4 million related to the crash of a company plane, highlighting legal challenges within the organization.
Beginning in 2009, the series was rebranded as the Camping World Truck Series.
In 2009, NASCAR Kinetics was established to connect college students to NASCAR, providing educational and career opportunities in the sport.
In 2010, Jimmie Johnson secured his fifth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship, a record in the sport.
In 2010, K&N Filters took over the sponsorship of the ARCA Menards Series' East and West divisions, following the Camping World sponsorship.
In 2010, Mike Rockenfeller, who would later drive for NASCAR at Le Mans in 2023, won the LMP1 category and overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In 2010, NASCAR officially sanctioned its first sim racing esports series, partnering with iRacing to form the NASCAR iRacing.com Series, which includes five 'Amateur Series' divisions and the PEAK Antifreeze NASCAR iRacing Series.
In 2010, NASCAR's television ratings dropped 10 percent from the previous year, down 33 percent from its peak in 2005, reflecting ongoing difficulties in viewership.
In 2010, Nationwide cars began to adapt to the Car of Tomorrow (COT) design used by Cup cars, with different bodies from the Cup Series.
On January 11, 2011, NASCAR.com reported that starting with the 2011 season, drivers would be allowed to compete for the championship in only one of NASCAR's three national series in a given season, although they could continue to run in multiple series.
In 2011, NASCAR announced significant rules changes, including abandoning the old points system. The new system awarded race winners 43 points with decrements for subsequent positions and included bonus points for leading laps.
In 2011, NASCAR switched to E15 'green' fuel, consisting of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, for all three touring series to further address environmental impacts.
In January 2012, NASCAR announced it would take back the operation of its website from Turner Sports in 2013, leading to the launch of a new NASCAR.com.
In early 2012, NASCAR announced that it would sanction the existing European-based Racecar Euro Series as a 'NASCAR Touring Series'.
In 2012, a fan was killed by a lightning strike after the Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono was called short due to a storm, marking a rare fan-related fatality not directly caused by race activities.
In 2012, NASCAR's Nationwide Series held its last race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, concluding a six-year run in Canada.
On January 3, 2013, NASCAR launched a new version of its website, featuring a multimedia-oriented design to enhance fan interaction and provide a better second-screen experience for mobile viewers.
On July 1, 2013, with partnership from NASCAR Whelen Engineering, the Racecar Euro Series was renamed the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
In 2013, NASCAR Kinetics mentored its last round of students, concluding the program that connected college students to NASCAR.
In 2013, NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series added a race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, furthering its efforts to expand internationally.
In 2014, Comcast, through its Xfinity brand, became the sponsor of the series, which was subsequently renamed the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
In 2014, NASCAR facilitated the merger of the Grand American Road Racing Association (Grand-Am) with the American Le Mans Series, as part of its acquisition of IMSA.
In 2014, NASCAR revamped the Chase format, expanding the pool to 16 drivers and emphasizing race wins. Drivers were eliminated after every three races, leading to four drivers competing for the championship in the season finale.
On January 30, 2015, Wendell Scott was posthumously inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina. Scott was the first African-American to win a race in the Grand National Series, NASCAR's highest level.
In 2015, NASCAR attempted to ban the flying of the Confederate flag at its race tracks. The initiative, led by then-chairman Brian France, was met with significant backlash from fans. The policy came after a call for voluntary cessation of the practice following the Charleston church shooting.
Starting with the 2015 season finale, NASCAR began adding restrictions on Cup drivers running Xfinity races to ensure more parity.
In 2016, NASCAR extended the Chase format to both the Xfinity and Truck Series. The Chase in each of these series consists of three rounds and seven races, with four drivers eligible for the series title entering the final race.
In 2016, NASCAR extended the Chase format to the Truck Series, with eight drivers qualifying and two eliminated at the end of each preliminary round.
NASCAR had extended Turner's contract to manage its website through 2016 before deciding to take the operation back in-house in 2013.
Starting in 2017, NASCAR dropped the 'The Chase' moniker for the Truck Series, referring to the final races as the Truck Series Playoffs.
Starting in 2017, NASCAR dropped the 'The Chase' moniker for both the Xfinity and Truck Series, referring to the final seven races as the Xfinity and Truck Series Playoffs, respectively.
In 2017, 'Logan Lucky,' a film involving a heist at a NASCAR event, was released, bringing NASCAR into the spotlight of mainstream movies.
In 2017, Monster Energy became the title sponsor of NASCAR's premier series, renaming it the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The last 10 races were now referred to as "the playoffs" instead of "The Chase."
On April 27, 2018, NASCAR acquired the ARCA Menards Series, a Midwestern United States racing series, after being privately owned for 60 years.
On May 8, 2018, NASCAR and Camping World announced that the Truck Series title sponsor would be moved to Camping World subsidiary Gander Outdoors starting in 2019.
In August 2018, Jim France took over as the CEO of NASCAR, continuing the legacy of the France family in leading the organization. This marked a significant leadership change within NASCAR, which was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948. Jim France's appointment as CEO brought a renewed focus on the sport's future under familial leadership.
In 2018, NASCAR acquired the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), further expanding its influence in the world of professional stock car racing.
In 2018, iRacing announced a new qualifying ladder system for the NPAiS, the Road to Pro Series, and switched the NASCAR iRacing Pro Series to using Xfinity Series models to replicate progression to real-life Cup series cars.
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal PASPA sports betting prohibition, paving the way for legal sports betting across the country.
On May 7, 2019, NASCAR announced a partnership with The Action Network to provide sports betting content and analysis on NASCAR.com, preparing for the growth of legal sports betting in the U.S. after the 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
In May 2019, NASCAR announced its intention to purchase the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) for 2 billion dollars, expanding its portfolio of race tracks.
On October 18, 2019, NASCAR completed its acquisition of the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) for 2 billion dollars, incorporating ISC's 12 tracks into NASCAR.
In 2019, the series was renamed to the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series.
In 2019, the series was rebranded again as the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, following a request from Camping World.
In 2019, NASCAR Digital Media took over the management of several NASCAR-related websites, including Racing-Reference and Jayski's Silly Season Site, which was previously hosted by ESPN.com.
2019 marked the final season for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West under K&N Filters' sponsorship before the unification with the ARCA Menards Series in 2020.
On June 10, 2020, in response to the protests following the murder of George Floyd, NASCAR announced a ban on the display of the Confederate flag at all its events and properties. This decision was part of a broader movement against racism in the sport, further highlighted by Bubba Wallace's advocacy and participation in an anti-racism video.
Starting in 2020, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West were unified with the ARCA Menards Series, becoming the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West.
From the 2020 season, Cup drivers with more than three years of experience were limited to five Xfinity races per season and could not compete in the regular season finale, NXS playoff races, or Dash 4 Cash races.
In 2020, the series was renamed to the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series before returning to the Camping World Truck Series name in 2021.
In 2020, Coca-Cola became the title sponsor of the series, renaming it the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series. The sponsorship increased the prize pool to $300,000 and included televising six races on NBCSN.
As of 2021, no NASCAR driver has been involved in a fatal accident since the death of Dale Earnhardt, showcasing the impact of improved safety measures.
In 2021, the series name returned to the Camping World Truck Series.
In February 2022, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Securities Act of 1933 covers targeted solicitation via social media. This decision came in a lawsuit against Bitconnect.
In April 2022, a class-action lawsuit was filed in Florida against LGBcoin, NASCAR, driver Brandon Brown, and Candace Owens. The suit alleged that the parties made false or misleading statements about LGBcoin and engaged in a pump and dump scheme.
On August 26, 2022, it was announced that Craftsman would return as the title sponsor of the Truck Series starting from the 2023 season.
The contract for the Truck Series title sponsor was scheduled to continue through 2022 as planned.
In 2023, Cole Custer was crowned the champion of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This series is the second-highest level of professional competition in NASCAR.
In 2023, Craftsman returned as the title sponsor of the Truck Series.
In 2023, NASCAR partnered with Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports to enter a Next Gen Camaro ZL1 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, celebrating its 75th anniversary. The car, driven by Jimmie Johnson, Button, and Mike Rockenfeller, competed as a Garage 56 entry.
In 2023, Ryan Blaney was crowned the NASCAR Cup Series Champion. The record for most championships is held by Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson, with Johnson also holding the record for most consecutive wins.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, featuring modified pickup trucks, crowned Ben Rhodes as the series champion in 2023.
Entering the 2024 season, Ryan Blaney holds the title of defending Cup Series champion, signifying his triumph in the previous season of NASCAR's premier racing series.