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July 20, 2000
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Revved Up Racing
| America's Love Affair |
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NASCAR, which stands for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, was born in 1948. The term "stock car" refers to factory-built cars intended for regular road use. In the early days, not many modifications were made to the cars to enhance their performance—in fact, many "racing cars" were the same cars the families drove to the races! Fans flocked to those early races, eager to see how well their family car could perform in extreme conditions. Over time, racing teams began to build their Fords, Chevrolets, and Pontiacs from the ground up. In the process, these cars have evolved into high-tech machines costing up to $750,000 each and capable of reaching speeds of up to 200 mph. |
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NASCAR racing is one of the fastest growing spectator sports in this country, with millions of loyal fans. It began modestly, with races held on a Florida beach when the tide was out. What is NASCAR's appeal?
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| Safety Matters |
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In 1948, safety measures in NASCAR were practically nonexistent. Roll bars—reinforced "cages" designed to fit inside cars to offer drivers extra protection and increased performance—were not required until 1952. The people watching the races weren't adequately protected either. Often, a racetrack was surrounded only by weathered wooden fences that collapsed like toothpicks when cars went out of control and crashed into them. In one such incident, a race car destroyed a fence, then went on to demolish a number of headstones in a nearby cemetery. The cars weren't equipped to withstand the rapid wear and tear that they were subjected to during races. Tires would frequently blow out. Early NASCAR racers dealt with the problem by building trapdoors into the floors of their cars. During a race, a driver would lift the trap door with a chain to see if the right front tire was wearing out. This system helped him determine when he should have his crew replace the tires. Such devices were abandoned as better racing tires were developed. Racing tires were some of the first products developed specifically to withstand the demands of racing and, as a result, contribute to driver safety. No matter how safe people try to make the sport, race car driving is inherently dangerous. Two recent NASCAR deaths speak to that fact: those of Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin. Ironically, both men died from accidents that took place at almost the same spot, the concrete wall at Turn 3 at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Both men were taking practice laps at the time. The New Hampshire track features tight corners and little banking. Banking is the uphill slope that meets the wall. This slope can rob a car of some of its speed, helping the driver slow down.
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Exposure to noise at 110 decibels can start to cause hearing damage in as little as two minutes, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
| All in the Family |
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Some drivers now competing in NASCAR have had family members involved with the sport since the 1940s. The most famous example is the Petty family. So far, four generations have participated in NASCAR. Lee Petty began racing the year NASCAR was born. He won three NASCAR championships in 1954, 1958, and 1959. During his first race, Petty drove a 1948 four-door Buick Roadmaster, the family car. After he crashed, the family was forced to hitchhike home. Lee's son, Richard, is often called "the King" of NASCAR. In his 30 years as a racer, he participated in 1,777 races, came in first 200 times, and won seven NASCAR Winston Cup championships. Richard's son, Kyle, also races. Kyle's son, Adam, died at the age of 19 in the auto accident mentioned above. Kyle's youngest son, Austin, is also involved in auto racing. During Lee Petty's 16 years in NASCAR racing, he won about $230,000. Richard won about $8 million in 30 years. In 21 years, Kyle has already won more than $9 million.
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Read the first installment of the Summer on Wheels series, "Following the Tour de France." There are many scientific and mathematical principles involved with auto racing. You can explore these concepts with the following Middle School Gateways activities:
Check out the Tangible Math activity,
Two Cars Moving in the Same Direction.
Keep track of the races at NASCAR's official Web site.
Get
NASCAR For Dummies, by Mark Martin, a NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver.
Read about the greatest racing moments experienced by NASCAR legends in
My Greatest Day in NASCAR, by Bob McCollough.
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