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National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing or NASCAR was officially formed in 1948. It has grown to be the second most popular spectator sport in the United States right behind the National Football League (NFL). It is currently the largest sanctioning body of stock car racing in the US. It is headquartered in Daytona, Florida.

Stock car racing got its start during prohibition. Bootleggers were the first drivers. They needed to be able to deliver there product on time. Most bootleggers modified their cars for speed and handling. With the repeal of prohibition in 1933, bootlegging business dried up a bit. But, by then most had a taste for moonshine. Some drivers started running shine, so they had to out run the tax man. By the 1940s the cars improved and races were being held for profit.

William France Sr. a racing legend moved to Daytona Beach in 1935. He was familiar with the land speed attempts of the area, even entering a race himself and taking fifth place. He took over the races in 1938, even promoting a couple races before WWII. Promoters were known for taking off from tracks before the drivers received payment, this is what led France to think about a sanctioning body. He began having talks with drivers and promoters at the Ebony Bar in Daytona Beach, soon after they formed NASCAR on February 21, 1948. The first point system was written up on a bar room napkin.

The original plans of NASCAR had 3 distinct divisions, Modified, Roadster, and Strictly Stock. The first two became the most popular with the fans. Soon NASCAR fans started seeing the Roadster division as a Northeast division and wanted nothing to do with it. The first set schedule of NASCAR had 52 races on dirt tracks. The first of being held in Daytona Beach on February 15, 1948, with Red Byron beating Marshall Teague. Since then NASCAR has grown in to what it is today. It has 3 main series, Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, and the Truck Series. NASCAR also has regional series throughout the nation.

On Sundays throughout out the USA, racing fans everywhere start the season with the biggest race of the year. The Daytona 500. Even though most sports hold their marque event at the end of the season, NASCAR has theirs in the beginning. It is all about man vs the elements of machine. Who has the fastest car on the given Sunday, that is all it takes to win. Some fans even watch it just for the wrecks. Whatever the reason for watching racing, you have a long heritage of loyal fans.

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