Stock Car Racing
Stock car racing is a form of motorsport where specially built race cars that look like everyday passenger vehicles compete against each other, primarily on oval-shaped tracks.
The sport got its name because it originally featured "stock" cars—meaning regular, unmodified vehicles that anyone could buy from a dealership. During the Prohibition era of the 1920s and early 1930s, people who transported illegal alcohol modified their ordinary-looking cars to make them faster so they could outrun police. When Prohibition ended in 1933, these drivers started racing their modified cars for fun, and stock car racing was born.
Today's stock cars are nothing like the street cars they resemble. Modern stock cars are purpose-built racing machines constructed specifically for competition. While they might look like a Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, or Toyota Camry from the outside, underneath they share almost no parts with the consumer versions. These race cars feature powerful engines, specialized suspension systems, safety cages, and aerodynamic modifications that make them capable of reaching speeds over 200 miles per hour.
Most stock car races happen on oval tracks where drivers turn left continuously in a counter-clockwise direction. These tracks come in different sizes: short tracks are less than one mile around, speedways measure between one and two miles, and superspeedways stretch over two miles in length. Some stock car races also take place on road courses, which are more complex tracks with both left and right turns, similar to regular roads.
NASCAR, which stands for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is the largest and most well-known organization that oversees stock car racing. Founded in 1947, NASCAR runs several racing series. The NASCAR Cup Series is the top level and most popular, featuring the sport's best drivers competing in prestigious races like the Daytona 500. The Xfinity Series serves as a developmental league where younger drivers gain experience, while the Craftsman Truck Series features vehicles with pickup truck bodies.
A typical stock car race requires drivers to complete a specific number of laps around the track, with total race distances ranging from 200 to 600 miles. Drivers earn their starting positions through qualifying sessions where they attempt to record the fastest lap times. The first driver to cross the finish line after completing all required laps wins the race.
Beyond NASCAR, numerous other organizations sanction stock car racing at regional and local levels. These include the American Speed Association, Champion Racing Association, and International Motor Contest Association. Local short tracks across the United States host weekly races featuring different classes of stock cars, such as late models, modifieds, and super stocks, each with different rules about modifications and performance capabilities.
Stock car racing remains one of America's most popular motorsports, drawing millions of fans to tracks and television broadcasts throughout the racing season. The combination of high speeds, close competition, and the familiar appearance of the race cars continues to attract both dedicated enthusiasts and casual sports fans.