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NASCAR's racing families began back when NASCAR was not yet even a dream; instead only a bunch of young men breaking the law by running moonshine during the Prohibition. Many moonshiners liked to keep it in the family, so their sons, brothers or nephews were often the ones transporting the "white lighting" that dripped from the backwoods stills. With their freedom depending on being able to outrun their pursuers, having a fast car was not an option - it was a "must". When the drivers weren't running 'shine, they often stood around and talked with other drivers about who had the fastest cars. Sometimes they went out in a field, and wore down a half-mile circle in the grass. And then they'd race. These "dirt tracks" and impromptu races were the beginning of what would become NASCAR. These early drivers did not race for the money or the glory, though the money and glory were nice... They raced because they loved the speed and the thrill. They raced to prove that they had the fastest car and were the best driver. They raced for the bragging rights...

THE FABULOUS FLOCKS
Some of the most avid participants in these early races were a couple of brothers named Bob & Fonty Flock. Bob & Fonty had been moonshine runners for their uncle, Peachtree Williams and prior to the creation of NASCAR in 1949 they frequented the tracks in the green pastures of Georgia. Along with their younger brother Tim, they would later become known as the Fabulous Flocks and could be considered one of the first of the NASCAR "families". Their parents, Lee & Maudie Flock, raised their eight kids in Ft Payne, Alabama. In addition to Bob, Fonty & Tim, their daughter Ethel was also a driver, racing in more than 100 races and their oldest son, Carl, raced speedboats. Bob raced in NASCAR until a track accident in 1956 broke his back and forced him into retirement. Fonty raced until 1957, starteding in 154 races and winning 19. Tim, the baby of the family, was to become one of NASCAR'S most interesting drivers.

Tim Flock's racing career started in 1948 when he began driving for Bruce Thompson, a year before NASCAR started the "strictly stock" circuit that would lead to the Grand National and Cup Series. Within a year, Tim was the star of the Fabulous Flock Brothers, outracing both of his two older siblings. Before NASCAR banned him in 1961, Tim Flock had started in 187 races, had 40 wins and held two Grand National titles. He won his first championship (Grand National Cup

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