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:
Lewis Hamilton’s new contract with Mercedes is for only one year, suggesting that the seven-time Formula 1 champion is ready to move on after the 2021 season.
Rich Hendrick raced cars at the age of 14, became a pioneering businessman, and has turned Hendrick Motorsports into a NASCAR powerhouse. His net worth hit a major milestone in 2020.
A look at the NASCAR drivers with the most victories at the famed Daytona 500, also known as “The Great American Race.”
Dale Earnhardt won 50 NASCAR Cup Series or Xfinity races, all while driving Chevys. He did race once early in his career in a Ford.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. dropped $190,000 to acquire a unique part of his father’s legendary NASCAR career.
While Dale Earnhardt Jr. has built up a massive net worth during his time in NASCAR, he’d rather not pay for his children’s racing careers.
If NASCAR’s plans had come to fruition in the mid-2000s, Staten Island would be a very different place today.
Dale Earnhardt was killed in a car crash at the 2001 Daytona 500, but he could’ve survived had he taken one extra safety precaution.
Sterling Marlin received death threats following the crash that killed Dale Earnhardt Sr. at the 2001 Daytona 500 and responded quickly and accurately.
While Dale Earnhardt Jr. ‘dreamed’ of retiring to the Cup Series to replace Kyle Larson, he ultimately put his family ahead of NASCAR glory.
