July 31, 1960 was a special day at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The second-ever NASCAR Grand National race was held there that day, and it was the highlight of a busy weekend. More than 100,000 people came out to see the Grand National – a testament to the booming economy and excitement in the United States after the end of the Cold War.
NASCAR Was Born In The South
It’s important to note that NASCAR was not founded in the South. There was actually a racing organization in Boston, Massachusetts, that was the first to hold an annual racing meet in November 1949. The races were created to accommodate a greater number of traffic than what the average American road could handle back then, hence the division into half-miles and the need for a motorized track.
Over the years, the races moved to more southern states. The first sanctioned NASCAR race at the legendary Daytona International Speedway was held in February 1947. Since then, the sport has truly taken over. If you want to learn more, just type “NASCAR history” into your favorite search engine.
More Than 100,000 People Witness The Thrill Of A Grand National
The stands at Atlanta Motor Speedway were packed that day in 1960. More than 100,000 spectators had come to see the most anticipated NASCAR race of the year. It was a testament to the sport’s growing popularity. The track’s maximum capacity was 150,000, and even then a lot of people had to stand outside the barriers. They were turned away at the gates. As the name would suggest, this was a real championship race, with the winner earning themselves the right to be called the “World Champion.”
There were so many incredible stories that month. In fact, it was the biggest and one of the most memorable sports events of the year. It was clear that NASCAR was going to be around for a while, and it wouldn’t be surprising if other tracks also started holding races. It was a boom time for motorsport, and for the first time in a long time, Americans were excited about their cars and their right to drive them on public roads. It was great to see.
The 2.5-Litre Engine Was Born
It was also the beginning of an incredible era for NASCAR. The most significant event since the creation of the sport was the implementation and rise of the 2.5-litre engine. This was a major change to the rules, and it essentially limited the displacement of engines. Prior to this, anything bigger than a 2.2-litre engine was considered large enough to be “grand-national” racing-worthy. So, essentially, the smaller the engine, the faster it would go. It was a formula that worked, and it brought with it a number of advantages.
Advantages Of The 2.5-litre Engine
Firstly, the smaller engine size made it more affordable for the less wealthy to purchase. Secondly, the smaller engines were more nimble on the roads. They were lighter and typically more fuel-efficient than their larger counterparts. Finally, the smaller engines did not require as much maintenance, as they were simpler and did not have as many moving parts. In short, the smaller the engine, the better, and this was an attitude that trickled its way down to the grass roots level of motorsport. This led to a huge boom in popularity, and it’s important to note that this was definitely not a negative trend. The smaller the engine the better, as long as it still ran smoothly.
An Era Of Growth
This was an era of growth for NASCAR, and it was clear that the sport would continue to mature and improve. There was an emphasis on safety, and this resulted in a number of rule changes and additions. For example, all dry-skinny vehicles (cars without a roof) needed to be fitted with roll cages, and all drivers needed to wear seat belts. These were all changes that had a direct impact on the way the sport was practiced and the dangers that drivers faced. In addition, a number of drivers and teams stepped up and changed the way the sport had evolved since its inception in the early 20th century. These were the Penske brothers, who began their racing career in the late 1950s and became renowned for their organizational skills and talent on the track. Joe and Dick Penske were responsible for many of the rule changes that benefited NASCAR during this time period. They are widely credited with making the sport more affordable and accessible to the average person. However, this was definitely not the case at the beginning. The cost of purchasing a race car in those days was extremely high, especially for a non-professional driver. This is because almost all cars were handmade, and they were built with a lot of expensive materials, such as aluminum and steel. The prices of these metals had escalated significantly since the end of World War II. This made motorsport more of a profitable venture for the wealthy.
A New Generation Of Race Cars
Handmade cars began to lose their appeal when concrete factories started producing them in larger quantities, and this is where the modern era of NASCAR starts. These cars were initially just like their handmade counterparts, but they were considerably cheaper and much more reliable. This is because the manufacturers took the precaution of using a more durable material for the body (or chassis) of the car and better quality control in the construction process. This resulted in a vehicle that was more reliable and less susceptible to breaking down. In the case of the former, this is also where the modern-era of NASCAR ends, as almost all cars in the sport are now either manufactured or hand-built.
The Rise Of The Hummer
If you thought that the Hummer was made for racing, then you would be right. During that time period, a number of Hummer H2s and H3s were raced at various tracks, including the Daytona International Speedway. The vehicles were initially created for the U.S. Army and were subsequently purchased by wealthy individuals and businesses for use as company vehicles. The rise in popularity of the Hummer led to the creation of the Hummer H2 Challenge, an annual competition that was originally held at the Daytona International Speedway, but which has since been moved to Las Vegas. This is a testament to the growing popularity of the Hummer in general.
The Hummer was a godsend to NASCAR, especially during a time of transition. It allowed for a greater variety of vehicles in the sport, as well as giving drivers the ability to tackle nearly any type of terrain with ease. This was made possible by the Hummer’s remarkable capabilities. It was initially designed to travel at speeds in excess of 150 mph, and it had a remarkable turning radius for a vehicle of its size. This made it ideal for use in stock car racing, and it brought with it a number of advantages.
What Does The Future Hold?
It’s difficult to say what the future holds for NASCAR, as the sport is incredibly dependent on economic conditions and the whims of the wealthy. However, it is clear that the way we see motor vehicles and transportation change and evolve will not be the same as it was in the past. Self-driving cars and trucks, all-electric cars, and driverless vehicles are all making their way to the scene, and this will certainly have an effect on the way we look at the importance of the automobile in our lives. In the near future, we will see an extremely competitive and flourishing motorsport, and this is definitely something to look forward to.