When I first became interested in cars, NASCAR was an obvious next field of fascination for me. I had no idea that I would love it so much, but it makes sense – there are cars, amazing drivers, and thousands of fans that share my enthusiasm for this sport. But, since I understand there are a lot of people who do not know much about this sport, and some who haven’t even heard of it, I wanted to start off by explaining what a NASCAR even is and why it is so popular. Hopefully, by the time you finish reading this, you will be more knowledgeable on the subject and perhaps even interested to check it out yourself. Enjoy!
What is NASCAR?
The acronym NASCAR stands for “National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.” Basically, it is an organisation that controls many car races. They organise racing events and cups but in my opinion, the most important one is the Sprint Cup Series. That is the one I follow every time and the one I recommend you to start with as well.
The cars
What brought me closer to these races were cars primarily. For any car lover, these are the best of the best and you won’t find them in any regular store. The cars that are used for races are specifically designed for durability and speed so that the drivers could stay safe but also achieve incredible speed. Every year I am looking forward to seeing what new additions and improvements were made to the cars and every year they surprise me.
The drivers
Of course, just like in any other sport, there are some figures who stand out with their skills and abilities. Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson are just some names that are famous today, but if you go back in history you will be able to find some incredible drivers with great achievements. Dale Earnhardt is, for example, one of my favourite legendary drivers.
Why is it so popular?
I would say that the primary reason so many people get hooked is the fact that the races are very easy to follow. Basically, you win the race if you finish it first. It’s that easy to follow. This means that you can get the full racing experience without knowing anything about the cars or the drivers.
Secondly, there is a great amount of adrenaline you get from watching NASCAR. You don’t even have to be in the driver’s seat to experience the speed and excitement that the drivers are experiencing. This especially applies to fans who are watching the races in person together with hundreds of fans who are all screaming for their favourite drivers to win. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Lastly, there is this concept of NASCAR being a family sport. Even though you wouldn’t imagine something like car races to be a family activity, it has become a ritual for many families across the country to visit the races and enjoy them together.
