A Rare Glimpse Into The Glory Days Of Racing
Hold on to your seatbelts as you journey back in time to the prohibition era. Step inside a souped-up car and experience what it was like for hustlers and bootleggers evading state police. Fast forward two decades to when NASCAR officially took off, led by Bill France – bringing us an adrenaline-filled entertainment that only requires one thing: speed! Today, not only is the sport bigger than ever – but so is its history. Read on to take a closer look at how NASCAR came about and all that it has achieved since then.
Casual Hang
Neil Castles was probably thinking playing it cool was the best approach when he hopped on G.C. Spencer's car hood in 1969 to chat before the race.
Nowadays, two drivers don't usually talk casually right before a competition--it's just not done!
Follow our brand to see more like this
Shirley Muldowney, The First Lady Of Drag Racing
Say hello to Shirley Muldowney, the first lady of drag racing. 1965 is when she began drag racing, becoming the first woman to do it under license by the National Hot Rod Association.
In a few short years (1973), she had climbed her way all the way to the peak of drag racing.
The Legendary Ray Fox
Not once did Ray Fox cross the finish line at Daytona, but his cars certainly did. Fox became an engine inspector for NASCAR.
Many of the greatest drivers to do have stepped foot into one of Fox's cars.
Seventh Time's A Charm
Richard Petty made a thrilling seventh victory. Three racers fiercely competed for the lead, but it was in lap 174 that Petty grabbed the spot and kept it till the end.
He never let go of his lead!
The Oldest Winner In The Game
In the 1980s, NASCAR changed to look more like it does now. Drivers lined up and tried to travel in groups so they could save energy while racing.
That strategy worked well for Bobby Allison that day as he won the race at an age no other driver had achieved before. He became the oldest-ever winner of a NASCAR event.
Pit Stop Snack
This photo is amazing! Taken in 1969, it shows Bill Seifert during a race pit stop receiving an old-fashioned disposable cup of refreshment.
The contrast between this and how athletes hydrate themselves today with giant squeeze bottles really stands out.
NASCAR Modified Champion
In 1954, Jack Choquette became the NASCAR Modified Champion.
Choquette's last NASCAR race happened one year later, in 1956. He finished his career with two top-ten finishes but zero wins.
Larry Pearson And His Championship Car
Kneeling next to his Mercury Capri, Larry Pearson was a force to be reckoned with in the late '70s and early '80s. Racing in the NASCAR Dash Series, he won five times.
He retired in 1999 after the Textilease Medique 300 in Boston, four years after his last trip to victory lane.
Cale Yarborough
We could go on and on on this man, so we'll keep it simple.
Cale Yarborough has a ton of wins and accolades, and his blue and white No. 11 is an icon in the world of NASCAR.
1947 Championship
One year before NASCAR officially came into being, Fonty Flock replaced his injured brother, Bob, as the driver of the car pictured above. That year he won the National Championship Stock Car Circuit.
Thanks to his successful career, he was inducted into the Georgia Automobile Hall of Fame and the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame in 2004.
1958 Daytona Groundbreaking Ceremony
The ceremony for the Daytona International Speedway was held in 1958. This picture was taken during that ceremony.
The speedway, one of the most iconic in the world, cost $3 million dollars and took two years to build. It officially opened in 1959 with a seating capacity of over 100,000. At the time, it was the fastest track that was able to host stock car races.
The Union 76 Girls
The picture shows the Union 76 Girls in 1969, waving to the crowd before a NASCAR Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The women were employed by Union 76 Oil Company to promote their brand at NASCAR events.
Joie Chitwood Sr.
This picture, taken in the 1930s, shows Joie Chitwood Sr. in one of his sprint cars.
After retiring from racing, Chitwood Sr. developed his own automotive show, the Joie Chitwood Thrill Show. After intentionally crashing more than 3,000 vehicles for his show, Chitwood became a car safety consultant.
Pre-Race Pump Up
This picture shows Greg Zipadelli rallying his pit crew before a race, pumping them up.
Zipadelli began his career in 1988 as the crew chief for Mike McLaughlin. McLaughlin won the championship that year, at just 21 years old.
Fonty Flock Flips A Car
This is not the accident that ended Fonty Flock's career, but this incredible picture was too perfect not to share. This took place in the late '40s. Flock was driving a modified car when he flipped it.
The car's owner, Joe Wood, was not happy with the damage, and Flock was unable to return to the race.
Randy Lajoie's Epic Pit Stop
The snapshot of Randy Lajoie sitting in his car during a pit stop shows just how intense the situation is.
One of the most challenging parts of participating in NASCAR is knowing when to take a pit stop. The goal is to get in and out, fill up on gas and replace a car's tires without losing positioning in the race.
First Races
This vintage photo was taken in the 1950s at the start of NASCAR Cup race. The track featured is the one-mile Raleigh Speedway, which hosted NASCAR Cup races, as well as Convertible races from 1953 until 1958.
Sadly, the track became obsolete when Daytona International Speedway opened.
Vicki Wood At Toledo Raceway
Taken in the 1950s, this colorful photo shows Vikki Wood and her short-track car. She wasn't afraid to tangle with her male counterparts and showed up at Toledo Raceway Park to qualify for an upcoming race.
Wood beat every man who was there, taking the pole position for the event.
Champagne For Everyone!
In 1987, Dale Earnhardt couldn't help himself after being crowned the NASCAR Cup Champion.
The championship was the third of Earnhardt's career and his second in a row. He would go on to win three more NASCAR titles and four International Race of Champions (IROC) titles.
These Actors Got The Boot And Were Replaced During Production Of Major Films
One And Done
The man you see above, Walt Flanders, only competed in one NASCAR race. During the 1951 race, he flipped his Ford on its hood.
He survived the wreck, but his career did not.
Nothing Is Better Than A Day At The Beach
Taken in 1952, this championship-worthy picture shows Marshall Teague and Herb Thomas holding their race trophies. They finished first and second on this day.
Behind the pair are their legendary vehicles; two Hudson Hornets.
Jay Leno Interviews A Legend
Jay Leno is a known automobile junkie, so it only makes sense that he would interview some of the greats, including Dale Earnhardt Sr., one of the best drivers in NASCAR history.
Tragically, Earnhardt died doing the thing he loves. In 2001, he got into a three-way crash during the Daytona 500.
Dale Earnhardt Behind The Wheel
This picture shows Dale Earnhardt sitting patiently in his car, talking with team owner Richard Childress.
The legendary racing friendship between the two men started when Earnhardt brought his Wrangler sponsorship to Childress racing in 1985. During their 15 years together, the duo won six NASCAR Cup championships.
Racing Runs In The Family
Ralph Earnhardt holding a victory trophy after a race in 1950 is proof that racing runs deep in the Earnhardt family.
Ralph's professional career started in 1953. In 1956, he won the NASCAR Sportsman Championship. The eldest Earnhardt is credited with being the first driver to stagger his tires.
How An Amateur Metal Detectorist Accidentally Found Britain's Largest Buried Treasure
