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NASCAR

NASCAR
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is known worldwide to bring the best racers to compete in one of the most highly attended sporting events in the world. Its popularity didn’t happen overnight, it didn't draw in as many drivers or big crowds like you see today. We have a few key points to share with you about this ever growing sport.

In the Early Years

In December 1947, Bill France Sr. organized a meeting at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida. The topic for discussion were the problems facing stock car racing. Others in the meeting agreed that these were problems that could be solved; and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing was born. Two months after that meeting, Feb. 15, 1948, the first sanctioned NASCAR race was held on Daytona's beach course, and the first race was won by Red Byron in his Ford Modified. In Sept. 4, 1950, Darlington International Raceway became the first asphalt super speedway to host a NASCAR event. The winner in that event was Johnny Mantz in his 1950 Plymouth. Lee Petty wins the first Daytona 500 in front of 41,000 fans on Feb. 22, 1959. Wendell Scott becomes the first African-American to win a premier division NASCAR race at Jacksonville Speedway in 1963. Nearly fifty years later, Darrell Wallace Jr. would become the second African-American to win a NASCAR national series event when he won a Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway.  

Later On

In 2002, Tony Stewart's championship season was the beginning of a youth movement in NASCAR. A new generation of drivers, including Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr., gain more popularity. The following year, Brian France replaced his father, Bill France Jr., and is named as NASCAR's Chairman and CEO. The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup was announced in 2004. It gave the sport a post-season comparable to a playoff. The first Chase was won by Kurt Busch. Jimmie Johnson makes history in 2008. He did so by winning his third consecutive Sprint Cup championship, tying Cale Yarborough's record. The next year, he would break that record by winning his fourth consecutive championship and would be named Male Athlete of the year by the Associated Press. December 2012, the Generation-6 car is unveiled, bringing NASCAR racing back to its roots of stock cars. The new Gen-6 cars more closely resembled vehicles sold on showroom floors across the country, while becoming even safer and more exciting on the track. In January 2014, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France announces a new championship format that puts greater emphasis on winning races all season long. He also expanded the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field to 16 drivers, with round-by-round advancements.

Williams Group Auto


At Williams Group Auto, we appreciate a great piece of American history. While we may not sell NASCAR regulated cars, we do sell a wide range of vehicles that you are sure to appreciate. So if you're in need of a used car in Abilene, come by today and check out our selection or visit our virtual showroom at www.williamsgroupauto.com.

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