SI 4 Nascar

Fred Peters asked:


NASCAR Racing has become one of the most popular sports in America and its popularity is increasing every year. For those of us who are NASCAR fans we completely understand why it has increased in popularity, but many others don’t understand why. To those non-NASCAR fans, they ask, “What is there to love about a sport with just left turns?”.

So why is NASCAR racing so popular? It is hard to say, but I think that there are several reasons that come up over and over. This article will explore why NASCAR fans love the sport so much..

The first reason that NASCAR racing is so popular is that it is easy to follow. My wife has watched football all of her life, but to this day she does not truly understand the rules. However, the rules of NASCAR racing are fairly easy. As with any race, the NASCAR driver that finishes first wins. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Over 100,000 NASCAR fans show up at the racetrack every week to watch their favorite NASCAR drivers race toward the Sprint Cup. But many million more fans have a Sunday ritual of watching television on raceday. This doesn’t even count the many more who gain access to BUSCH races, qualifying sessions, and practice sessions. There are also many race fans who make big weekend events out of races with tailgating and barbeque grilling.

The second reason why NASCAR racing is so popular is because NASCAR has done a great job making it a family sport. Husbands, wives and children all love to watch the races together as a family. A husband may like Tony Stewart, a wife Dale Jr and the kids liking Jeff Gordon. This is one of the biggest reason why NASCAR racing has seen an increase in popularity. It is a family sport. Both kids and adults like racing.

Another one of the many reasons why NASCAR racing has seen an increase in popularity is because of the drivers. Most racers seem like your average guys. They don’t come off as primadonnas like in baseball and basketball. Many NASCAR drivers started racing around dirt tracks and come from normal upbringings just like the fans of the sport..

NASCAR is popular for many different number of reasons. One article can’t describe in totality why millions of Americans tune into watch a NASCAR race. However, the results speak for themselves. NASCAR is the fastest growing sport in terms of popularity in the United States. It is showing no signs of leveling out in its grow of fans.

Chris DiCicco asked:


The NASCAR Hall of Fame was designated to be built in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 6, 2006 and groundbreaking began in 2007. It is projected to be opened for visitors in 2010. The Hall of Fame will be a welcome asset for tourism in Charlotte plus create jobs for the locals. It will have an office building that will house the business operations of marketing the NASCAR image and licensing. The NASCAR Hall of Fame has also adopted the words “Racing was built here Racing belongs here” as its slogan.

Besides being a very modern building that captures the spirit of racing, the NASCAR Hall of Fame has as its first mission to pick the first inductees. There are some unofficial Hall of Fame sites where people are taking polls and we’ll take a look at some of the popular drivers getting voted for.

Lee Petty

Lee Petty had 54 victories and is the father of Richard Petty. He raced during the 1950s an 1960s when NASCAR really began to take off. His home state is also that of the NASCAR Hall of Fame: North Carolina. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, and elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Richard Petty

He is getting a lot of votes at unofficial NASCAR Hall of Fame sites and it is to no surprise. Richard Petty has 200 wins and 7 championship titles. He and Dale Earnhardt are the only two drivers in NASCAR history to have 7 championship titles. Richard Petty was dubbed the title of the “King of Racing.” He is the son of Lee Petty who was also a championship NASCAR driver.

Bobby Allison

Here is another well-known name is racing. He has 84 victories with 3 Daytona 500 championships.

Cale Yarborough

Cale Yarborough has 83 victories plus he’s famous as being the only driver to win 3 straight championships. He is ranked 5th in the All-time NASCAR winner’s list. He has also been the winner of the Daytona 500 four times.

Bobby Isaac

Bobby Isaac had to leave a race in 1977 because of heat exhaustion. During the time they were treating him he had a heart attack and died. In his short life of 45 years, he would achieve 37 victories. He would also set 28 world land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah (outside of the NASCAR competition). He would eventually be named as one of 50 of the all-time great NASCAR drivers. He is also a 1979 inductee of the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame.

There are other NASCAR driver greats being considered including Buck Backer, Clay Earls, Tim Flock, and Junior Johnson.

Charlotte, North Carolina is a perfect location for the NASCAR Hall of Fame because there are over 50 teams of the Busch, Craftsman Truck, and Nextel Cup Series Championship competition all in close proximity to Charlotte. And Charlotte was the home of the first premier NASCAR race in 1949. That’s why they say racing started in Charlotte and should remain in Charlotte.

Robert Riles asked:


In case you are a Nascar or racing fan, then you must be interested in collecting Nascar memorabilia. Most sports fans and enthusiasts like to keep a part of racing history with themselves in the form of Nascar memorabilia. You can also start building up your Nascar memorabilia collection provided you start looking in the right places.

Some of the ways in which you can acquire Nascar memorabilia are as follows:

•Thanks to the Internet, the most convenient method of laying your hands on your favorite Nascar memorabilia is buying it online. The Internet, apart from being the largest market for a number of commodities, is also the best place to locate a particular piece of sporting memorabilia or any other sports related item that you might not be able to find easily in your neighborhood or town stores. Buying Nascar memorabilia from Internet stores is a good idea, provided your seller guarantees hundred percent money back in case you are not satisfied with the merchandise or if you have any doubts related to authenticity. Also remember that all authentic memorabilia comes with a certificate of authenticity, so make sure that your Nascar memorabilia also comes with a cert.

•If you are one of those people who do not believe in buying before touching, then internet sales are definitely out for you. However, do not be disheartened, for there are a number of other ways and means of acquiring Nascar memorabilia. Many sporting good stores carry sports memorabilia, and you might be able to find something in your local stores that suits your tastes. Some sports shops are especially dedicated to memorabilia and you will definitely be able to find at least some pieces of Nascar memorabilia in any such sport memorabilia store.

•Auctions are another good source that throw up some really interesting and valuable pieces of sports memorabilia. If you are lucky, you might be able to visit a local sports memorabilia auction somewhere in your city. If you cannot, then the internet will once again come to your help in the form of online auctions. There are a large number of Nascar memorabilia items being auctioned off at any particular time on the World Wide Web. When buying from online auctions however, make sure that you follow the rules of safe online buying given earlier. Another thing to keep in mind is to buy only from a reputed website.

•Last but not the least; local garage sales can at times turn out to be veritable treasure troves of Nascar memorabilia. In order to find something of value to you, keep checking the classified sections of your local newspapers and make a point to visit any garage sales ads that mention a sale of sporting or Nascar memorabilia. You might end up finding a number of interesting items at these places, so much so that you might decide to become a regular garage sales customer in a quest to increase your collection of Nascar memorabilia.

Tony Jacowski asked:


A career with NASCAR requires complete commitment. It comes with working hours that are not compatible with raising a family. However, once you’ve settled the commitment issue, a wide range of careers is available on the NASCAR racing circuit. Among the different types of jobs available with NASCAR, jobs for mechanics, car chief, fabricators, shock specialists, painters and engine assemblers are the most pursued.

NASCAR Courses

For a career as a NASCAR mechanic, you will need to enroll at the NASCAR technical institute (NTI), a branch of Universal Technical Institute of Arizona and the exclusive educational strategic partner of NASCAR. At the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI), you are provided with an education that enhances your career to the next level. The institute is the first technical education school to officially combine a complete automotive technology education program with NASCAR specific courses. The institute offers a range of automotive technology courses that will jumpstart your career as an entry-level automotive technician.

The following are the specific-NASCAR Programs:

-Automotive & NASCAR Technology

-Automotive & NASCAR Technology w/ Pit Crew

-Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology

-Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology w/ Pit Crew

-Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II

-Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II + Pit Crew

The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program:

-Provides the opportunity for qualified candidates to work with NASCAR teams, sponsors, NASCAR’S sanctioning body and other motorsports-related companies.

-College and university students are given an employment stint in a ten-week summer program specially designed to give them a broader view of the world of NASCAR and the opportunities available in the industry.

The Job Of A NASCAR Automotive Technician

Automotive service technicians and mechanics have more complex jobs than a simple mechanic. Today, mechanics are required to analyze integrated auto electronic systems through complex computers and measure their performance on the road. An automotive service technician will need to study diagnostics and be high-tech problem solver.

You must have knowledge about how components work. You should have a knack for handling electronic diagnostic equipment and technical reference material. You should be able to use your technical skills to inspect, maintain and repair vehicles like automobiles and light trucks with gasoline engines.

Automotive technology has necessitated the need for technicians to keep abreast with the every changing world of technology, but at the same time maintain their skills with traditional hand tools. This change in the occupation has resulted in these mechanics being increasingly called “automotive service technicians”.

Imagine the thrill of standing on the racetrack and watching the car you have nurtured hit the finish line ahead of the others. You will be proud to be part of a team who toiled so hard to realize a dream.

Chris DiCicco asked:


So does NASCAR driver physical conditioning matter? Some would debate that NASCAR drivers are not athletes but one must consider the conditions inside of a NASCAR stock car race vehicle. The interiors of these cars are not designed for driver comfort with air conditioning and surround sound. Everything about a NASCAR stock car is focused on speed—not on comfort. So NASCAR driver physical conditioning must be such that it builds a driver’s endurance to withstand some harsh conditions and G-forces. And, the NASCAR driver physical conditioning is very similar to athletes in other sports except different areas are built up.

The temperatures in the driver’s cockpit of a NASCAR race car can reach around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine this temperature with a 500-lap race at 200 mph along with lack of air flow and you will see that NASCAR driver physical conditioning to build in endurance is critical. Plus, a NASCAR driver will need to steer and maneuver a 3,400 pound vehicle around curves, other cars, and over bumps. This can cause a lot of impacting against the driver plus just the strain of controlling the steering wheel. Then there are the G-forces that will result from banking turns at speeds close to 200 mph causing pressure on the driver’s torso as it presses against the side of the vehicle.

Oxygen is a problem too. Since the cars are very aerodynamic so as to increase speed, the air is guided around the car but does not reach the inside. The driver’s cockpit is not pressurized like an aircraft. So, the driver has to be able to process what oxygen he gets very efficiently. Therefore, NASCAR driver physical conditioning will include aerobic exercises so as to optimize the processing of oxygen by the body.

Part of any good physical athletic training is the proper amount of nutrition and rest and NASCAR driver physical conditioning is no exception to this. By including the proper amount of nutrition and rest in NASCAR driver physical conditioning, the driver can maintaining alertness and quick reflexes which are crucial to a safe drive. Not getting the proper amount of rest can cause a driver to make mistakes which at 200 mph could be dangerous and even fatal.

Without the proper nutrition and rest in NASCAR driver physical conditioning, a driver can become confused and disoriented during the race. This is especially true when combining the lack of air in the cockpit mixed with carbon monoxide fumes and tremendous G-forces (which cause disorientation as well). G-forces can also affect vision but proper nutrition and vitamins combat against their effects.

NASCAR driver physical conditioning also includes weight training but not in order to build mass. The weight training performed by a NASCAR driver is to build up strength for steering and breaking. It is also so that the driver’s body can withstand the abuse from bouncing around and getting slammed from excessive G-forces.

NASCAR driver physical conditioning separates those who can make it for an entire racing event and those who would wear out during the qualification races. It is very important and the sport should be taken just as serious as any other professional sport.

Chris DiCicco asked:


A good organization supports charity and NASCAR does just that through its NASCAR foundation. The NASCAR foundation has a program where for a $30 donation you can join in on the NASCAR track walk. The Home Depot, one of the nation’s largest retail home improvement centers, is a major sponsor of the promotions and holds charitable events with proceeds going to the Foundation. But who does the Foundation support and what kinds of events do they hold to raise funds?

One thing they do is sponsor auctions where the proceeds go to one of the foundations supported by the NASCAR foundation. For example, on September 17, 2007, they announced bidding on Jeff Gordon full-sized and autographed fiberglass auto body. The proceeds from this auction go to the Jeff Gordon Foundation which supports pediatric medical care of children with serious and life-threatening disease.

The NASCAR foundation holds the Blood and Marrow Drives at different tracks each year. The donations help out the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and the Hendrick Marrow Program. Other charities of the NASCAR Foundation are:

The Dale Earnhardt Foundation

This is a foundation run by the wife of the racing great who died in a race car crash in 2001. Dale Earnhardt was concerned about education, children, and wildlife and his commitment lives on through this foundation.

The Kyle Petty Charity Ride

Kyle Petty is the son of the King of NASCAR Richard Petty and he sponsors a motorcycle ride across the USA for the Victory Junction Gang Camp as well as other children’s charities.

Victory Junction Gang Camp

This is an organization with the mission of helping to enrich the lives of children with serious illnesses by providing them a camping experience in a medically-safe environment. It was founded by Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie in June 2004. The couple also donated the land that the camp stands on today. The camp is interesting because it was built with a racing theme and all the look of a NASCAR race track. The camp takes cash donations and there are volunteer opportunities. It is also gives a quilt and a teddy bear to each child who stays there so they are always looking for donations of these two items to replenish their supply.

NASCAR Auto Donation Program

There are many ways to donate to the NASCAR foundation. One way is through the NASCAR Auto Donation program. Here, you can donate a vehicle and then any of the proceeds that the NASCAR Auto Donation program gets from the proceeds in an auction are given to charity. All donations are fully tax deductible.

The NASCAR Day Telethon

This was a telethon held on May 18, 2007 across from Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Speed Channel, NASCAR, and Sirius radio broadcasted this telethon event through the end of the Craftsman Truck Series Race.

There are many other charitable organizations supported by the NASCAR Foundation but it is obvious that NASCAR cares about contributing to the community which is probably one of the reasons why this sport is becoming increasingly popular.

Fred Morris asked:


to understand the culture of the redneck man, it is necessary to understand the most Southern of sports: NASCAR. It’s more than just cars driving in circles at high speed, punctuated by the occasional crash; it is an integral part of the modern South. In order to really understand both, you must know where NASCAR came from and why it exists.

History of NASCAR

NASCAR (the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) really started back just before Prohibition, when hillbilly moonshiners up in the Appalachians found out that the revenuers’ cars were fast enough to get the jump on them. Illegal stills started getting busted, and shine makers started going to jail. Instead of buckling, moonshiners moved their stills further back into the woods and down in the hollers, and they started using cars.

When Prohibition came into effect in 1920, moonshiners started looking beyond outwitting the tax-collecting revenuers and toward shipping ’shine to the cities for real profit. Gangsters - Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, Capone - started making contact with these good ol’ boys to see if they could get a steady supply of alcohol for their speakeasies and other businesses. And young men, usually the sons or nephews of established moonshiners, started working with stock cars to get the ’shine to town as fast as possible.

These, our redneck forefathers, modified the cars they ordered from magazines or purchased from fledgling dealers in towns to run faster, harder, on rough and smooth surfaces. They experimented with using ’shine as a fuel for a boost in speed, and invented many of the tricks used today in NASCAR. Junior Johnson, one of NASCAR’s earliest legends, spent years running ’shine for his father using scampish tricks later mimicked by Burt Reynolds characters and the Dukes of Hazzard. He invented the famous bootleg turn, the 180-degree spinout sending you careening in the opposite direction, that is used in nearly every movie car chase today, and later as a NASCAR champ discovered how to “draft” another driver to increase his own speed and reduce fuel consumption.

NASCAR was officially born in 1948, a merging of this wild redneck tradition with the more upscale Grand Prix racing imported from Europe, in which mostly concept cars and special sports cars were raced. William France, a racing mechanic, had a notion that stock cars would draw crowds in America, and he incorporated NASCAR in Daytona, from which it quickly grew to the giant it is today.

Today’s NASCAR, industrialized and streamlined and watered down for general consumption, is only a pale imitation of the free-for-all madness our bootlegging ancestors first drove.

NASCAR Rules

While the first NASCAR stock cars were completely unmodified stock cars, the same ones you’d buy off the lot, today’s cars are modified according to strict safety and performance rules.

The rules in NASCAR are both simple and complex. Drivers in the top 43 of each race accumulate points according to a set system. Cups are awarded according to who has accumulated the most points in a set group of races. The Sprint Cup (usually just called the Cup, as it was previously the R.J. Reynolds and the Nextel Cup) is the big prize, and is awarded after a set of 36 races. Other smaller cups are awarded for other groups of races, and each major race has around $4 million total in prize money awarded for that race alone.

Points in the major races (but not all NASCAR races) are awarded not only to the race winner but to each lap leader. If you’ve led at least one lap, you automatically get five bonus points; if you lead the most laps, you get an extra five, for ten bonus points total. Points go to the driver who started the race (replacement drivers get nothing) and to the car owner. Races are generally prefaced either by qualifying trials or by heats, small races that get the crowd warmed up but don’t count toward prizes. Starting order is determined by qualifying time.

The track, once started, is slowed down by yellow caution flags for fender benders, spills, etc.; if something catastrophic happens, the red flag will come down to stop the race until wreckage can be cleared. Green flag means everything is fine. And in most NASCAR races, you’ll see drivers pull off for at least one pit stop; the pit crew works fast to fuel, check, condition, and change tires because the time in pit counts against your time on the track.

A NASCAR Date

So now you have that redneck sweetheart and you really want to impress him? Set up a date for one of the smaller NASCAR races, with barbecue and and chips for your refreshments. Beer is a must, and for that special touch, ask your liquor store for some ’shine, which should be drunk straight but in moderation. Dress any old way you want, park him on the couch, and let him explain all the finer points of the race to you while you both enjoy the race.