NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American <a href="/facts/Auto_racing/0ErdCCV3">auto racing</a> sanctioning and operating company that is best known for <a href="/facts/Stock_car_racing/HWacoXB5">stock car racing</a>. It is considered to be one of the top ranked <a href="/facts/Motorsport/7p78I1t2">motorsports</a> organizations in the world and is one of the largest spectator sports leagues in America. The privately owned company was founded by <a href="/facts/Bill_France_Sr./lac5VP2y">Bill France Sr.</a> in 1948, and his son, <a href="/facts/Jim_France/rCSpyhpV">Jim France</a>, has been the CEO since August 2018. The company is headquartered in <a href="/facts/Daytona_Beach%2c_Florida/bX9xeR4Y">Daytona Beach, Florida</a>. Each year, NASCAR sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 48 US states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Europe.
NASCAR, and stock car racing as a whole, traces its roots back to moonshine runners during <a href="/facts/Prohibition_in_the_United_States/53aVxXXb">Prohibition</a>, who grew to compete against each other in a show of pride. This happened notably in North Carolina. In 1935, Bill France Sr. established races in Daytona Beach, with the hope that people would come to watch races and that racers would race for him, as other organizers tended to fleece the winners of their payouts. This was a success, and the series was founded in 1948. Races were held in several divisions, which eventually morphed into what is the "ladder:" the <a href="/facts/NASCAR_Cup_Series/UJpWM0Ca">Cup Series</a> at the top, the <a href="/facts/NASCAR_Xfinity_Series/yRJyNXYv">Xfinity Series</a> second, and the <a href="/facts/NASCAR_Craftsman_Truck_Series/z6oEd9oT">Truck Series</a> third, with smaller series spread out below. Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota compete in each series.
The vast majority of NASCAR drivers are American, but drivers from Canada, Mexico, Europe, and other places have competed. All Cup Series races are held across America. There are 36 points-paying races in a season, along with the pre-season Clash and mid-season All-Star race. NASCAR runs races primarily on <a href="/facts/Oval_track_racing/B1t2Elaa">ovals</a>, including superspeedways, short tracks, and <a href="/facts/Dirt_track_racing/LaPjc1qH">dirt tracks</a>, but also <a href="/facts/Road_racing/htpUv7en">road courses</a> and <a href="/facts/Street_circuit/0xEdlsLt">street circuits</a>.
<a href="/facts/Richard_Petty/vDwoc0u5">Richard Petty</a> holds the Cup Series wins record with 200. He is tied with <a href="/facts/Dale_Earnhardt/RfdlJgmm">Dale Earnhardt</a> and <a href="/facts/Jimmie_Johnson/gcNfzMK5">Jimmie Johnson</a> for the championship record, with seven each. Entering the <a href="/facts/2025_NASCAR_Cup_Series/DuIpKT07">2025 season</a>, <a href="/facts/Joey_Logano/2zSQhYp6">Joey Logano</a> is the defending Cup Series champion.

NASCAR open-in-new

NASCAR