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:
Mick Schumacher, 21, will begin driving for Haas in the 2021 Formula One season. He is the son of the legendary Michael Schumacher.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. once had a job at his father’s car dealership. That relationship, however, didn’t prevent Junior from getting fired.
Kevin Harvick is the favorite in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series after winning nine times for Stewart-Haas Racing last season.
Danica Patrick said she was manipulated when she fired both of her parents from her management team during her racing career.
NASCAR has made major safety advances through the years. Among those, changes on pit road, due in large part to a tragic death on Bill Elliott’s crew 30 years ago.
Morgan Shepherd has set all kinds of NASCAR records competing well into his 70s. Shepherd is now facing the most challenging battle of his life.
While Jeff Gordon took the wheel at more than 800 NASCAR events, the living legend once admitted that he never raced purely for fun.
While Dale Earnhardt seemed like a pretty intimidating guy, he once removed the Confederate flag from his own truck to make sure everyone was comfortable.
Mercedes announced seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will miss a Formula One race for the first time following a COVID-19 diagnosis.
A look back on the tragic death of 20-year-old sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr., who was killed in an accident involving racing legend Tony Stewart.