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Unique History of NASCAR

Most NASCAR fans don’t know much in regards to the history of NASCAR racing, it’s popularity was restricted to mostly Southern & South Eastern States. Many of the recent fans know Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty and Junior Johnsson, but have never heard of a few of the pioneers drivers who made the current NASCAR a possibility. Nascar Sprint Cup Tickets are just about sold out for every race this season.

Willam France Sr. aka Bill created NASCAR in 1948 on February 21st. France selected Erwin Baker aka “Cannonball” as the first NASCAR Commissioner. Baker was already very well known, having raced previously at Indianapolis and set over a hundred land speed records. The transcontinental race is named after him.

Junior Johnson not to be confused with Jimmy Johnson was one of the NASCAR’s first stars, winning six racing championshipsand won more than 50 overall races. Junior had a colorful past, he was notorious for delivering moonshine. After retiring from racing in 1966 he went on to become a team owner.

Ned Jarret the father of Dale Jarret was another early superstar. Nicknamed “Gentleman Jim”, Jarret was famous for selling one of his race cars to Wendell Scott, the first Black NASCAR participant. Jarret won two championships and 50 plus races. He then went into the booth to become an announcer, and his son Dale followed in his footsteps and became a race driver.

Former star Lee Petty’s son also followed his dad into NASCAR, and Richard Petty became the most recognized star Nascar Sprint Cup has ever seen. Lee was also a great driver, winning 3 championships and the very first Daytona 500. The first Daytona 500 was so close; it took 3 days before Petty was finally decared the winner. Lee Petty started racing late, he had a late start getting his race career, as he did not start racing until he was 35. It did not take long before he was a fan favorite. When he retired, he founded Petty Enterprises, one of the more successful race teams. Richard Petty is NASCAR’s all time winningest driver.

Wendell Scott is a true pioneer, he is the only black racer to ever win a NASCAR race. Wendell was a feerless driver at the beginning, racing the (white|neighborhood} kids on his bike. After serving in World War II, Scott, like Junior Johnson, began transporting moonshine. He would attend races, and got his shot when a promoter, desperate for a gimmick to fill the seats, thought he would spice things up a bit by putting African Americam in the race. Scott had to deal with reacial aspect and white drivers trying to wreck him. He succeeded, and won the only race a black driver has ever won in NASCAR in 1961. Wendell continued to race until injuries forced him to retire in 1973.

NASCAR not sweating 200 mph laps (St. Petersburg Times)

Kasey Kahne, left, and Jeff Gordon set the pace in Saturday’s test at Daytona with identical laps of 201.545 mph.

St. Petersburg Times

Nascar Pole Daytona 500