| The history of NASCAR not unlike the history of | | | | of the drivers, mechanics and owners to confirm |
| the United States: a beautiful story bereft with | | | | a set of standard rules for racing. These meetings |
| turbulence, defiance and perseverance. During | | | | gave birth to the National Association for Stock |
| alcohol prohibition, moonshiners operating near the | | | | Car Auto Racing. The first official NASCAR race |
| southern border of Texas would soup up their | | | | was held at Daytona Beach on February 15, 1948. |
| cars in order to outrun the local law enforcement. | | | | Red Byron was the winner of this inaugural race in |
| Federal Tax Agents would always be on the | | | | his Ford Flathead V8 on the hard-packed sands of |
| prowl to pick up a moonshine deliverer so the | | | | the Atlantic Ocean. This was long before the |
| race was always on. Even after the fall of | | | | famed Daytona tri-oval that is the Mecca of the |
| Prohibition the moonshine trade continue to | | | | sport today. |
| prosper in rural area. | | | | No more than a week later NASCAR became |
| Moonshine is a type of whiskey that is distilled | | | | incorporated and Big Bill was appointed its first |
| from corn and potatoes among other things, and | | | | commissioner. By the late 1950's NASCAR was |
| since it was home-brewed it was difficult to | | | | already on its way to becoming Americas largest |
| distinguish its source. Over the generations the | | | | spectator sport. Throughout the years NASCAR |
| moonshiners continuously upgraded their delivery | | | | has seen its share of amazing races, clashing |
| vehicles and continued outrunning the law. Naturally | | | | competitors and close calls. |
| it became standard for moonshiners start | | | | In 1992 when Richard Petty retired as a driver |
| bragging and talking smack. Out of this came | | | | NASCAR made a transition from the old school |
| informal races that the moonshiners would hold to | | | | drivers to the new school. Drivers such as Dale |
| determine which runner was the fastest; not only | | | | Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart have |
| was this new sport about having the fastest car | | | | brought a whole new art to racing NASCAR. |
| but also about outsmarting and outdriving all the | | | | From old-time moonshine runners to well spoken |
| competition which included the law. | | | | race car drivers, NASCAR has come a long way. |
| After World War II these races became more | | | | From viewing the sport in present time one would |
| organized, yet hardly anyone began calling it an | | | | never think that its origins came from an illegal |
| organized sport until the arrival of Big Bill France | | | | collaboration of old school whiskey making |
| on the scene. | | | | countrymen. |
| Big Bill France organized the first meetings for all | | | | |