|
HISTORY
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR), which began in 1948, is the sanctioning body for one of America's premier sports. NASCAR is the #1 spectator sport – holding 17 of the top 20 attended sporting events in the U.S., the #2 rated regular season sport on network TV with broadcasts in 150 countries, and has 75 million fans who purchase over $2 billion in annual licensed product sales. These fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports and as a result, more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. NASCAR consists of three major national series (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series)four regional series and one Local grassroots series. NASCAR sanctions 1,300 races at over 100 tracks in 30 states, Canada and Mexico. Based in Daytona Beach (FL), NASCAR has offices in Charlotte (NC), Concord (NC), Conover (NC), Los Angeles (CA), New York (NY), Bentonville (AR), Mexico City and Toronto. On December 14, 1947, speaking at NASCAR’s organizational meeting at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida, Bill France Sr. expressed his vision for stock car racing’s future. A half-century later, France’s words seem prophetic: Stock car racing has got distinct possibilities for Sunday shows and we do not know how big it can be if it’s handled properly…It can go the same way as big car racing (Indianapolis). I believe stock car racing can become a nationally recognized sport by having a National Point standing…Stock car racing as we’ve been running it is not, in my opinion, the answer…We must try to get track owners and promoters interested in building stock car racing up. We are all interested in one thing-that is, improving the present conditions. The answer lies in our group right here today to do it. -Bill France Sr. |
All External sites will open in a new browser window. NASCAR.COM does not endorse external sites.
© 2007 NASCAR | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.