NASCAR: Fast Facts for New Fans
If there's a sports fan in your life, you may have heard a thing or two about NASCAR. But what is it really? And why are people so passionate about it? Here's a basic guide to NASCAR and the people who love it.
"Gentlemen, start your engines!" These words send shivers down the spines of millions of Americans and have been known to bring tears to the eyes of grown men - and women - each race day. But why? What's the big deal?
America seems to have a love affair with NASCAR. With a fan base of over 50 million, it is one of the most popular spectator sports in the country. So why is it so popular, especially with everyday people? The answer seems to lie with the fact that the drivers all seem so easy to relate to. Many came from very humble beginnings, and it's not much of a stretch to imagine them doing the same things that everyday people do - enjoying barbeques, hanging with the family or playing a game of pick-up basketball. And another thing - the drivers just give the impression of being well-mannered Southern gentlemen...whether they really are or not.
Want to know more about this popular sport? Whether you're a new fan or not a fan but simply curious, here are a few of the basics to get you started.
History
NASCAR is an acronym for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It was founded on
February 21st, 1948 by Bill France Sr. There were originally three divisions: Modifieds, Roadsters and Strictly Stock.
The first race in the Strictly Stock division was held on June 19th, 1949 at Charlotte Speedway. At that time, it was a ¾ mile dirt track and Jim Roper was the race winner. This division grew to become the Sprint Cup series that we know today. Although NASCAR oversees many types of auto racing, the top three are the Sprint Cup Series, the Nationwide Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. Usually when people talk about NASCAR, they are referring to the extremely popular Sprint Cup Series.
Cars
Today's NASCAR Sprint Cup race cars only slightly resemble the "strictly stock" race cars of the past. Now cars are built specifically to be raced, and they are based on four-door American-made cars. The cars that are currently eligible to race are the Ford Fusion, Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the Toyota Camry.
Races
The first and biggest and Sprint Cup race of each year is the Daytona 500 which is held every February. That race kicks off a NASCAR schedule that has 36 events and concludes in November.
There are many other tracks that host Sprint Cup races, including Atlanta, GA; Fontana, CA; Darlington, SC; Dover, DE; Kansas City, KS; Concord, NC; Martinsville, VA; Loudon, NH; Phoenix, AZ; Richmond, VA; Talladega, AL; Watkins Glen, NY; Bristol, TN; Joliet, IL; Homestead, FL; Indianapolis, IN; Las Vegas, NV; Brooklyn, MI; Rockingham, NC; Long Pond, PA; Sonoma, CA and Ft. Worth, TX.
Chase for the Cup
In NASCAR, the champion is determined on a points system. Drivers receive points based on where they finish in the race. In addition, any driver who leads a lap during a race receives five bonus points, and the driver who leads the most laps in a race receives an additional five bonus points. The maximum number of points a driver can earn per race is 195.
However, in 2004, the Chase for the Cup was implemented. It was created to involve more drivers in the championship battle and to increase fan interest. Here's how it works:
There are 36 races during a season. The first 26 points events determine which drivers will be eligible for the Chase and ultimately, the championship. After the 26th race, the top 12 drivers will qualify for the Chase.
Prior to the beginning of the Chase (the final 10 races), the qualifying drivers' points are adjusted so that each person begins with 5, 000 points. If any of the Chase drivers had a victory during the first 26 races, they receive 10 bonus points. The drivers are then seeded prior to the start of the Chase based on the number of victories they had during the first 26 races.
During the 10-race Chase, the championship contending drivers still compete with all other drivers for victories and prize money and still accumulate standard points. The driver with the top Chase points at the end of the last 10 races becomes the new champion.
Sponsorships
If you've ever seen a NASCAR race or seen a NASCAR driver, you'll notice that everything has a sponsor. Why is that? Because of its huge fan base. Over 16 million people tuned in to watch the 2009 Daytona 500, and that's not even counting the fans who attended in person. That's a lot of exposure for a brand, company or product. Sponsors get to choose the paint scheme of the car they sponsor, put their logo all over the car, and use the driver's likeness in advertising. Plus, many NASCAR fans are extremely loyal to the companies who sponsor their favorite drivers.
But sponsorship does not come cheap. Being the primary sponsor of a team costs $350, 000 - $500, 000 per race, but companies that sponsor a team for a full season can usually work out some kind of financial arrangement.
There's lots to love about NASCAR. From friendly competition and intense fan loyalty to nail-biting, dramatic finishes, NASCAR offers fun for fans from all walks of life.
