| Founded in 1948, NASCAR was based on the idea of | | | | track since 2002. |
| races with cars that anyone can purchase. It was | | | | Each car is inspected before a race to check for |
| meant to be different from other racing circuits where | | | | compliance with safety rules and regulations. The top |
| only special built cars could compete. In the early years, | | | | five finishing cars are re-inspected after the race. |
| safety was not a priority for NASCAR drivers. With | | | | Since the introduction of the Car of Today, the body |
| seatbelts made of rope, windows that had glass in | | | | of the car is similar to the other cars, while inside there |
| them and with no roll bars, the cars were sometimes | | | | are different engines and setups. |
| rented for the weekend of the race. | | | | The conditions of the track, or car and tires are |
| The first modern addition was use of specialized tires, | | | | checked by each crew's chief. Wall crews have to |
| when Pure Oil Company developed a tire intended to | | | | wear helmets, full fire suits and gloves. The driver |
| be used for car racing back in 1952. The same year, it | | | | restraint system was one the main concerns and |
| became mandatory to add roll bars and the | | | | changes were made to the neck and head support |
| movement away from stock cars to high | | | | systems. The track barrier systems were changed to |
| performance cars we see racing today began. | | | | better absorb the shocks. |
| Not only were the cars changing, but also the | | | | The efforts to reengineer the cars led to the design of |
| racetracks. While the first races took place on dirt | | | | a program called 'The Car of Tomorrow'. Such a car |
| tracks, in 1950 the first superspeedway track was built | | | | would be safer and more cost-efficient to |
| in Darlington, South California. The newer tracks were | | | | manufacture. Teams wanted improved front and rear |
| both wider and longer, with higher banks. Daytona | | | | bumpers and fire suppression systems. But a more |
| International Speedway opened in 1959 and | | | | comprehensive change led to a highly standardized |
| immediately became the most famous track for stock | | | | car with over 200 defined points, standardized chassis |
| car racing. | | | | and body. The Car of Tomorrow holds down the |
| The Winston Cup Series was established in 1972 after | | | | costs because there is no need of multiple versions of |
| R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company partnered with | | | | a car. With improved safety and reduced vehicle |
| NASCAR. The next period was dominated by Dale | | | | costs, the new vehicle standard is used on the tracks |
| Earnhardt who was to become the most popular | | | | today. |
| racer, winning 76 races and finishing in the top ten for | | | | The universal car will force the teams to focus on |
| 428 times. | | | | more advanced engineering but the most important |
| Unfortunately, Dale Earnhardt died in a tragic accident | | | | thing for the future of NASCAR will be if fans like |
| in 2001. His death inspired a move towards additional | | | | what they see. NASCAR is now a multi-billion dollar |
| safety standards on all the cars. And thanks to these | | | | industry, with 100 races every year, and is the fastest |
| new safety standards, no driver has been killed on the | | | | growing spectator sport in US. |