Motorsports
Motorsports have been around for nearly as long as motors have been inside cars. Two of the most famous racing circuits are NASCAR in the United States and the intercontinental open-wheel F1, though motorsports also include off-road rally-car racing, drag racing, and motorcycle racing.
NASCAR was founded in 1948, began contesting races in 1949, and held its first Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious and famous events in North American racing, in 1959. NASCAR contests Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series races across the United States. Star drivers such as Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Year founded: 1948
President: Steve Phelps
Winningest driver, races: Richard Petty (200)
Winningest driver, cup titles: Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Sr. (7)
Formula 1 started racing in 1950 and has since become the premier racing series in the world. F1 contests more than 20 races on five continents each year, with the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) serving as the governing body. Renowned drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Ayrton Senna starred on the F1 circuit.
Year founded: 1950
FIA President: Mohammed Ben Sulayem
Winningest driver, races: Lewis Hamilton
Winningest driver, championships: Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton (7)
Featured articles:
Read the latest news, rumors, and analysis on NASCAR and F1:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said taking the feelings of others into consideration shaped his decision not to race full-time in the No. 3 Chevy following his father’s death at the 2001 Daytona 500.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was genuinely shocked on his podcast to hear Larry McReynolds tell a story about how NASCAR President Bill France Jr. talked with his father on the radio during races.
Derrike Cope, who won the Daytona 500 back in 1990, doesn’t care what you think of his age as he gears for this year’s race.
Kyle Larson returns to NASCAR in 2021 after almost a year layoff and according to Dale Earnhardt, Jr., he expects the No. 5 car with Hendrick Motorsports to have an impressive season.
Before he became one of NASCAR’s biggest stars, Jimmie Johnson ‘totally stalked’ Jeff Gordon and obtained some career-changing advice.
Dale Earnhardt’s death at the 2001 Daytona 500 shocked the sports world. In the weeks, days, and even minutes before he died, Earnhardt prophetically spoke about dying.
While Dale Earnhardt Jr. found success as a NASCAR star, he originally wanted to hit the gridiron and play football.
Denny Hamlin is a partner with basketball great Michael Jordan in the 23XI Racing team, which is fielding Bubba Wallace’s car in the NASCAR Cup Series.
NASCAR’s first female driver, Sara Christian, was forced to give up her car during a race to a male driver whose car had suffered engine failure.
Other racing series, such as Formula One, have little problem with racing in the rain. So why not NASCAR?
