A stock car is just not a car; it's a dream to live in. Stock car racing is a form of racing cars that drive on oval or special road courses. These cars are generally post-production models that were used as a transportation medium. But now they have been built specifically for racing. The origin of these stock cars is from the United States, which later spread to Japan. The term “stock cars” is deeply rooted in the heritage of NASCAR. It reflects the sports journey through time. In this article, we will explore how stock cars are associated with NASCAR racing and how it shaped the sport’s development.
1. Early Years: The Origin of Stock Cars
Stock cars are older than NASCAR itself. If you are a motorsport fan who loves to watch NASCAR, then you might know how these stock cars paved the way for the establishment of NASCAR in the early days. If you are a new audience, then I would suggest you go read our blog that unfolds the history of NASCAR and how it was started.
The origin of stock cars started in the 1920s in the United States. It was a time when the prohibition era started and the rich business authorities illegally transported the nation’s favorite liquor, moonshine, at night to avoid detection. To surpass this, the local vendors and keepers often have to outrun them to get access to the liquor. To outrun these authorities, they used to drive cars that were brought directly from the dealerships in stock. This was the first time that the team's stock cars came into the limelight.
In the early 1930s, these drivers in the southern United States started modifying their cars and vehicles to achieve high power and speed. This would help them to run from the authorities and police force. This would later be challenged by the locals and authorities in a reimbursement. Sometimes these drives mutually challenge each other to race on a dirt track to show their skills and progression. Thus, a properly organized racing format was in demand, and later on, with the vision of Sir Bill Rance Sr., the racing became more structured, which led to the formation of NASCAR in 1948.
2. Stock Cars Became Ideal For Racing Courses
This mutual fight against the drivers paved the way for the establishment of NASCAR in 1948. Stock cars became a way to showcase drivers their skills and talent. In the early 30s, these stock cars were unmodified production models that were used to build a connection between the drivers and the public roads. Few new drivers who wanted to participate in the race brought their cars to the track directly from the dealerships.
But after the birth of Bill France Sr., everything changed. The race was now more streamlined with new rules and regulations under improved safety regulations. To avoid misconceptions, Sir Bill France Sr. decided to make specific laws in the specification and upgrade of stock cars. The cars now show few upgrades from the previous generations and are more reliable and faster, followed by the strictly stock models. The team was allowed to make changes in the chassis but the frame of the car remains as a stock.
3. Modifications Of Stock Cars Started
As time passes, new technology is invented. This new technological advancement brought tremendous changes in the auto industry. With the amendment of homologation requirements in stock car racing, NASCAR decided to allow those cars in the race whose parent manufacturers have sold 5000 to 1000 units of a model to make it eligible for racing. This made the top manufacturers build cars in masses to meet the new technological competition. This also paved the way to make design and other configuration changes in stock cars.
To survive in the market, the car manufacturers were keen to make changes in their drive to boost the market and production. This would help them to generate money and produce cars on a larger scale. On the other hand, NASCAR now travels through decades and the cars are faster and more performance-oriented machines that only look like stock cars from outside. Although NASCAR has lost its actual charm of stock car racing.
But deep inside, it carries every essential element of stock cars. Today, NASCAR has become one of the largest governing bodies of stock car racing and its NASCAR Cup Series has now become the world’s top racing series of professional stock car racing. The NASCAR racing series uses Next-Gen cars. They no longer look like "stock cars." However, the name Stock has remained etched in racing history and is still used because it represents the journey of such sophisticated racing and its heritage over decades.
What’s your favorite NASCAR moment? Tell us in the comments below. Follow us to get the latest updates from the world of NASCAR, Formula 1, and many more.
Also Read |
