| NASCAR has become increasingly popular among a | | | | the safety of the drivers. |
| wide array of individuals. Many families enjoy spending | | | | During the 1970's the cars underwent some serious |
| the day at the races, watching the cars, seeing their | | | | structural modifications. Among these changes were |
| favorite driver's and meeting up with fellow fanatics. | | | | endorsements. Typically, you could find tobacco |
| However, even though it is a great deal of fun to be at | | | | companies endorsing drivers. During this time the |
| the races, there are multiple organizations that can | | | | tobacco companies were no longer allowed to |
| increase your knowledge of NASCAR. From some of | | | | advertise their products on the television, thus they |
| the people that are behind the scenes to the history of | | | | came up with a better way to advertise their product. |
| NASCAR. | | | | On NASCAR vehicles. The name of the Grand |
| Mr. William France, Sr. founded NASCAR on February | | | | National Series was soon changed to the Winston Cup |
| 21, 1948. The amusing thing about William France, Sr. | | | | Series, because of the new found advertising. Later, |
| being the founder of NASCAR, is the location he was | | | | the name was again changed, this time to the Nextel |
| in when he founded it. He was in a barroom in Florida. | | | | Cup Series and soon, it will be renamed again. This |
| Originally, he wanted to give purpose for a local racing | | | | time it will go by the name Sprint Cup Series in 2008. |
| scene in Daytona Beach. | | | | Thanks to he endorsers and their advertising, the |
| In the beginning NASCAR was made up of three | | | | drivers are able to be compensated much more. Thus, |
| different divisions. They were the Modifiers, Roadsters | | | | giving them more of a reason to stay in the game |
| and Strictly Stock. The hardest of the divisions to get | | | | another year! |
| started was the Strictly Stock. It was a difficult task to | | | | Not only was there an increase in the sponsors of |
| find materials and vehicles after World War II. | | | | racing, but also in the publicity racing found. The media |
| However, many thought that the Modifiers would be | | | | apparently loved to broadcast and show clips of the |
| the most popular of the three divisions, but the | | | | races on television. Also, you could find pieces in the |
| Southeasterners were not as interested as anticipated. | | | | newspapers and on the radio. The more publicity |
| Many of them felt the modifiers were more geared | | | | racing found, the more fans got addicted to the races. |
| towards the Midwestern and Northeasterners. | | | | The drivers were soon finding out how popular they |
| The first Strictly Stock race was on June 19, 1940 at | | | | were. They now had a fan base, worldwide. This |
| the Charlotte Speedway. In the very beginning the cars | | | | made many of the drivers into celebrities and even |
| were completely stock, with absolutely no | | | | icons. Still today, you can watch NASCAR on |
| modifications done to any of the vehicles. However, | | | | television, listen to a play by play on the radio and read |
| some modifications were allowed shortly after the birth | | | | all about the events in the newspaper. |
| of the event. These modifications were to enhance | | | | |