NASCAR's Beginnings

The National Association for Stock Car Auto, or NASCAR, has an interesting beginning and a rich history.

Somewhere around 1930 a man by the name of Bill France Sr. was working as a mechanic near Washington, DC. He opened his own garage, and for fun he liked to race at the local dirt tracks.

In 1934 he decided to move to Miami, Florida, but his car broke down in Daytona Beach and after looking around he decided to stay there. At that time people were attempting land speed records on the beach there, but soon Bonneville Salt Flats became a more popular place as it was larger and safer. But Mr. France entered the very first beach/road course race to take place at Daytona Beach and he finished fifth. Later, he was asked to be a promoter for that race.

After WWII sidetracked him to the boat works for a time, he returned to promoting races. He observed a lot of unscrupulous race promoters and wanted to help the drivers make more. He realized there was a need for a common set of rules and a strong sanctioning body to back them up.

NASCAR was officially born in February of 1948 at a meeting in the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach. The first “strictly stock” series event was held in June of 1949. “Strictly Stock” later became the Sprint Cup Series.

As they say, the rest is history. Bill France Jr. is said to be the one with vision who pushed the association to what it is today. It is still run by the family, with one of Bill Sr.’s grandsons as CEO. It sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 39 states, Canada and Mexico.