The differences between the NASCAR and Formula One series are drastic. Both have the ultimate goal of winning in mind. However the methods used to achieve victory are entirely different. The main difference between the two types of racing is technology. A Formula One race car is the most technologically advanced car in racing. A NASCAR stock car has some technological advances however the methods most used in NASCAR racing is a technique called drafting or just plain on bumping.

The styles of races are entirely different in both series. First, the Formula One circus as it is called, races primarily on road circuits. These tracks have the challenge of right and left hand turns. In addition elevation changes on the circuits add to the difficulty of driving a Formula One car. Consequently, NASCAR drivers almost exclusively race on oval shaped circuits. In addition, the stock cars as they are sometimes called are restricted to two to three road course circuits during their season. Both NASCAR and Formula One race on circuits that vary in length. NASCAR circuits can be as short as one half mile or as long as two and a half miles. A Formula One track is almost always over 2 miles in length. Furthermore, Formula One racing consists of completing a certain number of laps or two hours in duration, whichever comes first. NASCAR has no time limit and races can be as short as three hundred miles and as long as six hundred miles in distance.

Another difference in both racing series is the way points are awarded. Each series has a driver's championship that is awarded at the end of the season. NASCAR awards points to many finishing positions. Formula One awards point to the first eight positions only. Furthermore Formula One offer a constructor's championship as each team fields two cars and the team or constructor with the most total points claims the constructors championship for the year. NASCAR teams can consist of up to four different cars however; there is no limit to how many cars one certain team can field. Furthermore, NASCAR allows for "single" car entries where as Formula One rules state that each team must field two cars, no more, or no less.

Both forms of racing take safety very seriously. The NASCAR series uses "safer barriers" which are a form of collapsing walls that take most of the impact when a car hits the wall. Furthermore, the cage area around the driver is sturdy and reinforced to allow for a very safe area for the driver.

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