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Amazing History of NASCAR

Most NASCAR fans have no idea about early NASCAR history, mostly because it’s popularity was geographraphically located in the southern states. Many of the newer fans know Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty and Junior Johnsson, but have never heard of a few of the pioneers stars who made the current NASCAR a possibility. Nascar Tickets are just about sold out for every race this year.

Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR in 1948 on February 21st. France chose Erwin “Cannonball” Baker as the very first commissioner of NASCAR. Baker was already a legend, having raced at Indy and set over a hundred land speed records. There is a transcontinental race named after Baker.

Junior Johnson was for sure on of NASCAR’s earliest stars, winning 6 racing championshipsand won more than 50 overall races. Junior had a colorful past, as he had made quite a name for himself transporting moonshine. After retiring from racing in 1966 he moved on to become a team owner.

Ned Jarret the father of Dale Jarret was another early racing star. Nicknamed “Gentleman Jim”, Jarret was famous for selling one of his race cars to Wendell Scott, the infamous first African American NASCAR driver. Jarret won 2 championships and 50 plus races. He then became an announcer, and his son Dale followed shortly in his footsteps and became a race driver.

Past great Lee Petty’s son also followed his father into racing, and Richard Petty became the biggest star Nascar Races has ever seen. Lee was no slouch though, winning three championships and the very first Daytona 500. The first Daytona race was so close; it took three days before Petty was declared the winner. Lee Petty started racing late, he had a late start getting his race career, as he did not start racing until he was 35. It did not take long before he was a fan favorite. When he retired from racing, he founded Petty Enterprises, one of the most successful racing teams. Richard Petty is NASCAR’s all time winningest driver.

Wendell “Wildman” Scott is a true pioneer, as he is the only African American to ever win a NASCAR race. Scott was a feerless driver at the beginning, racing the (white|neighborhood} foes on his bicycle. After serving in World War II, Scott, Like Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett, began running moonshine. He would also go to the races, and got his shot when a race promoter needed something to promote like a gimmick to fill the seats, thought he would spice things up a bit by putting a Negro in in a real race. Scott had to deal with racial slurs and white drivers attempting to wreck him. He succeeded, and won the only race a black driver has ever won in NASCAR back in 1961. Wendell continued to race until injuries forced him to retire in 1973.