What Is the ‘NASCAR’ in Sports?

“NASCAR” stands for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

It is the premier organization for stock car racing in the United States. While Formula 1 is famous globally for its open-wheel cars and complex road courses, NASCAR is the king of American motorsports, famous for its heavy, powerful “stock cars” racing door-to-door on high-speed oval tracks.

Key Facts to Know

• The Cars: They are called “stock cars” because they originally looked like the regular sedans you could buy at a dealership (like a Ford or Chevy), though today they are purpose-built racing machines reaching speeds of 200 mph.
• The Big Series: The top level of competition is the NASCAR Cup Series. This is where the best drivers in the world (like Kyle Larson or Ryan Blaney) compete.
• The “Super Bowl” Comes First: Uniquely, NASCAR’s biggest and most prestigious race, the Daytona 500, happens at the very start of the season in February, rather than at the end.
• The Season: It has one of the longest schedules in sports, usually running from February all the way to November.