Modified NASCAR Cars

Early race drivers were bootleggers that modified their cars for speed and handling to be able to first outrun the police during Prohibition and later to outrun the revenuers that were try to tax their business. Moonshine runners owned many of the vehicles. With most of America under the Alcohol Prohibition Act, these moonshine runners accumulated enough wealth to purchase the fastest, showiest, and expensive cars. With lots of money and a great deal of time on their hands, they turned to racing their vehicles against each other as a matter of pride.

In keeping with its roots, NASCAR uses stock cars for racing instead of specially built racecars such as Formula One and NHRA cars. NASCAR, founded by William France Sr. adopted his vision of using all American stock cars with no modifications. He felt that the public could relate to factory stock cars because those cars were available to them. This would help ensure that no type of car would have an advantage over another. Over time safety and speed modifications have been implemented but that single regulation is largely responsible for NASCAR wildly successful.

In the past, entry-level drivers had stock cars that were used on daily basis on and off the track. However NASCAR entry cars of today are a far cry from the cars that factories produce. The only semblance to stock production is the body template. The tires, chassis, carburetor and the running gear of a modified NASCAR racecar is not even a close relative of a vehicle produced as stock in the U.S.

How are modified NASCAR stock cars different from the factory cars? Some examples will help to visually clarify the point.

Ritchie Evans #61 Ford Pinto driven in 1978

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A Ford model almost forgotten, renewed interest has sparked lately, making the Ford Pinto a highly sought after vintage racecar for amateur level racing.

1955 Replica Chrysler c300r

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A significant NASCAR contender in 1955, the engine of the Chrysler c300r was far superior than most of the muscle cars of its day. In spite of its performance, the market did not embrace the Chrysler model.

Jeff Gordons #24 DuPont Chevrolet

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Jeff Gordon drove this Hendrick Motorsports built car to his first road race victory in 1997 at Watkins Glen. This NASCAR modified car is authentic, not restored, and in perfect condition.

Snapshot of NASCAR History

In the early days, racing in the US was regional entertainment with races being held on roads and dirt tracks. This terrain was hard on the cars which were modified streetcars meant to outrun the police and revenuers during Prohibition. These roads were rough on original cars. The bootleggers cars were lightened, modified for better handling, and speed. During this era, Daytona Beach becoming the center of stock car land speed records.

Stock car racing was rapidly gaining popularity by 1936. As the cars improved, races became more mainstream and profitable. Because of the victimization of the drivers by some promoters, by the late 1940s a sanctioning body seen to be a necessity. Spearheaded by William France Sr., meetings to hash out the details were held at the Streamline Hotel.

A board of governors was formed with Bill France Sr. as the President. A fellow named Red Boyt was the man who coined the name NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) a critical point in NASCAR history. NASCAR became an entity on February 21, 1948 and the first ever NASCAR race was the week before incorporation, on February 15, 1948 at Daytona Beach. The winner of the first NASCAR sanctioned race was Red Byron.

The main focus of NASCAR was on the entertainment value. In order to succeed, it needed to appeal to the masses. To do this, racers used only factory stock cars, or cars that were not modified.

On June 19, 1949, the first Strictly Stock race was held in Charlotte, N.C. At that time, the rules required that the racecars be American made and the only modification allowed was to the metal plate that protected the right front tire. Thirty-three drivers competed with almost every kind of American made car represented.

More than 13,000 people came out to watch the race. NASCARs goal of making the sport appealing to the average American was wildly successful. Glen Dunaway initially won the race until it was determined that he had modified his rear springs. Jim Roper was subsequently declared the winner.

In 1950, the Strictly Stock division evolved into what become known as the Grand National. This evolved into the Winston Cup in 1971, which in turn changed to the NEXTEL Cup in 2004. The Sprint Cup emerged in 2008 after the merger of NEXTEL and Sprint. it is NASCARs most popular series. Red Byron holds the distinction of being the first Winston Cup winner.

Without the efforts, dedication, and guidance of Bill France Sr., NASCAR racing would likely not have the same face. There have been many memorable moments throughout NASCARs colorful history. The future of NASCAR is bright because of its mass appeal.

The Cars of NASCAR

Have you wondered just what it is that makes NASCAR stock cars different from the standard street stock that we see around? What is hiding behind the body of a NASCAR stock car?

In the beginning, modifications to the cars were not allowed. The cars had to be factory stock. The Strictly Stock division was renamed the Grand National in 1950 and performance and safety modifications were allowed. By the time the mid-1960s rolled around, the cars had the appearance of a stock car but were designed and built for racing.

Over time, NASCAR has mandated and/or allowed modification to factory stock cars to address the need to balance safety and competitive racing. NASCAR is vigilant in checking cars at each race to ensure that modification comply with their standards. NASCAR racing vehicles are custom built with every detail of the frame, engine and car body designed in house.

The design that is always front row center when designing the frame is safety compliance. This cannot be compromised at any point in the design process. The frame is divided into three sections. The front and back clips, or sections, of the frame are constructed of thinner steel tubing than the middle of the frame. This tubing crushes to help to absorb the impact in the event of a crash. The frames middle section, which includes the roll cage, is built using a stronger material and is designed to maintain its structural integrity in a collision. With the safety of the driver always at the forefront, devices such as special seatbelts; roll cages; roof flaps; airbags; fuel cells; and window nets are just some of the mandated customized safety devices. At the speeds that these cars travel, standard equipment is not likely to stand the impact.

Why do these NASCAR vehicles have so much speed? These cars are capable of hitting speeds of 200 mph and more. Large engines packed under the hood are responsible for the high speeds that are achieved without turbochargers. The radical cam profile on the engine allows much more air to flow into the cylinders at high speeds. Carburetors that enable a large volume of fuel and air flow into it are under the hood of a NASCAR racing cars. These cars are not fuel injected. They have ignition systems that allow for the customization of spark timing. Subsystems such as oil, coolant and steering pumps, as well as alternators, are made to be run at high temperatures and high speeds for prolonged periods of time.

NASCARs quality standards are very stringent and NASCAR racing cars need every part to be honed to an exacting tolerance so that the engines will be able to quickly achieve the maximum power it can deliver. In order to have a winning edge, there is no margin for error in the design, machining or assembly.

NASCAR racing cars hold a fascination to fans. The powerful profile, the raw horsepower, their sleek design and their integrated safety features attract NASCAR fans like bees to honey. The next time you attend a NASCAR race, you will have a better understanding of just what these powerful machines are capable of.