The NASCAR reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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NASCAR

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Drivers practice for the 2004 Daytona 500Enlarge

Drivers practice for the 2004 Daytona 500

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was founded by William HG France in 1948 in the USA. Officially incorporated on February 21, its purpose was to organize and promote the sport of stock car racing on sanctioned high-speed oval circuits and a few road courses.

The early NASCAR drivers were originally involved in the illegal transportation of alcohol. The drivers would modify their cars in order to create a faster and more maneuverable car. It was a logical step for the owners of these cars to race them. Thus, NASCAR was created as an officiating body. Even though they were in a league, many of the early drivers were still involved in moonshining.

Rusty Wallace won the Suzuka NASCAR Thunder 100 racing event at Suzuka Circuitland in Suzuka City on November 24, 1996 (this was the first NASCAR competition held in Japan).

NASCAR racing has their share of great finishes. The closest finish in NASCAR history was at Darlington between Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch. Craven came in ahead by .002 seconds. See the picturehere.

The closest European equivalent is Touring car racing, although the European circuits are not simple ovals.

See also: List of famous NASCAR drivers, NASCAR Championship, Stock car racing, Moonshine

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