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:
During Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s first win after his dad’s death, he went against his sponsor Budweiser’s wishes, creating a major controversy.
A look at the five drivers with the most victories in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast broke major news about big changes coming to Bristol Motor Speedway.
These days, Jeff Gordon is NASCAR royalty. His career, however, might not have gotten off the ground without some dirty cloth diapers.
NASCAR runs thick in the Earnhardt family’s blood, but how many children does Dale Earnhardt Jr. have with his wife, Amy?
Days before his fatal crash during the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt asked Dale Jarrett a creepy—and prophetic—question about death.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. called out Rick Hendrick on his podcast for mistake he made not signing one top driver.
Denny Hamlin recalled a “closed-off” Dale Earnhardt Jr. and gave his opinion on why he eventually came out of his shell.
Mickey and Trudy Thompson were both victims of a brutal contract killing in which both killers escaped and were never found.
Kelley Earnhardt was able to find some good that came out of 2020.