1. THE BASICS OF NASCAR:
NASCAR is short for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.
NASCAR is the governing body for the majority of racing in the US. It's highest form of competition is the NEXTEL Cup Series.
Racers in NASCAR earn points for their finishing place. Obviously, the winner gets the most points, with each subsequent finisher earning a progressively lower amount of points. The racer with the most points at the end of the season is the champion.
Races are held on gigantic oval tracks across the country. There are a handful of races on closed courses with various twists and turns like with Formula One races.
Stock cars are used in the races, and they must meet basic standards of horse-power, weight and other mechanical requirements.
Four brands of cars are used in NASCAR, Dodge Charger, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the Toyota Camry.
The NEXTEL Cup Series consists of 36 races throughout the season, the first and most important of which is the Daytona 500. Other high-profile races are: the Brickyard 400, the Bristol Motor Speedway, the Coca-Cola 600, and the Talladega Super Speedway.
The NEXTEL Cup Series season runs from February to November.
NASCAR races are typically several-hundred mile races (the Daytona 500 is 500 miles) lasting upwards of 2-3 hours. Tracks are anywhere from half-mile to 2.5 miles long.
Drivers are just one part of a full team for each car. A car is sponsored by a major company, such as Budweiser or Home Depot, which pays for entry-fees, salaries and more. The team also consists of marketing personnel, pit crew, coaches, and mechanics, among others.
Famous drivers include: Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, Bobby Labonte, and Jeff Gordon,