| * What is NASCAR? | | | | and aerodynamic components are carefully |
| NASCAR is the abbreviation for National | | | | selected in order for them to adapt to different |
| Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, which is | | | | race tracks. The adjustment of both front and |
| the largest sanctioning body for one of the United | | | | rear aerodynamic down force, rear track bar |
| States' premier sports: motorsports. NASCAR | | | | geometry, spring rate, and brake proportioning |
| sponsors 17 out of the top 20 most-attended | | | | are also critical when it comes to the so-called |
| sporting events in the country, the second-rated | | | | cornering characteristics of the cars. |
| regular sport season on network television with | | | | The aforementioned specifications are common |
| broadcasts over 150 countries, and has an | | | | to most NASCAR cars (except for some |
| estimated 75 million fans who purchase no less | | | | modifications that are allowed) regardless of the |
| than 2 billion dollars in licensed products annually. | | | | make or model. |
| NASCAR is composed of 3 national stock car | | | | * When did NASCAR racing begin? |
| racing series (NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series, | | | | NASCAR racing began on February 21, 1948, by |
| NASCAR Busch series, and NASCAR Craftsman | | | | mechanic William France Sr. with the help of |
| truck series) as well as sanctioning 7 regional tours | | | | several stock car drivers at that time who were |
| and one local grassroots series. It also sanctions | | | | victims of corrupt racing promoters who took all |
| 1,500 races over a hundred tracks in 38 states | | | | the money before the drivers were paid. |
| across the country. | | | | NASCAR's first sanctioned racing event was held |
| * What type of cars are raced? | | | | at the Daytona Beach Road Course circuit on |
| The cars fielded on NASCAR's race tracks are | | | | February 15, 1948. In that race, Red Byron beat |
| rear-wheel-drive (RWD), high powered and low | | | | Marshall Teague in the modified division category. |
| tech hot rods equipped with a roll cage chassis | | | | * What is the top speed of a NASCAR car? |
| and skinny sheet metal covering. These are all | | | | The top speed of a NASCAR car varies |
| powered by carbureted engines with four-speed | | | | depending the race track where it runs. For |
| manual transmissions. Its engines are limited to | | | | instance, on the Talladega Superspeedway the |
| carry 358 cubic inches or 5.8 liters of fuel with | | | | top speed is 212 miles per hour, set by Bill Elliot in |
| cast iron blocks, single camshaft, and a pushrod | | | | 1988. At the Infenion raceway, the top speed is |
| valve train. | | | | recorded as 99 miles per hour. |
| Furthermore, NASCAR cars' brakes, suspension, | | | | |