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| Nascar for Beginners |
> NASCAR for BeginnersNASCAR is the fastest growing sport in the country. There is no doubt that you have heard this statement a hundred times already. But why? What is it about NASCAR that draws millions of fans to racetracks and television sets every race day? Some say it is the roar of the crowds and the engines and some say it is the camaraderie that all NASCAR fans feel even when they are arguing with other fans about why there favorite driver is the greatest ever. 
Every NASCAR fan has their reasons, but whatever the reasons are, learning the basics of NASCAR will help you not only understand the sport of racing but may also give you some insight as to why so many love the sport of NASCAR. A Little HistoryWhile NASCAR officially started in 1949 its roots are burned like rubber deep into the dirt tracks near Washington, DC where NASCAR founder Bill France Sr, owned a garage and raced the local circuit. After moving to Daytona Beach in 1934 after his car broke down while trying to drive to Miami, forcing a stay. Known for the land speed record attempts on Daytona Beach, the city held its first beach and road race in 1936. After coming in fifth and racing for several years, Bill France Sr. was asked to be a promoter for the races but was not exactly keen on the idea. But after attempts to find someone else for the job, Bill accepted the position. After several years working in the circuit, Bill France Sr got tired of seeing unscrupulous promoters run off with the promised paydays and began to feel that if racing had a common set of rules and proper backing it would improve the quality of life for its drivers. By December of 1947 Bill had found a group of driver, promoters and officials and after a the final meeting on February 21, 1948, NASCAR held the first official race on June 19, 1949 at the Charlotte Speedway in Charlotte, NC. Since those early years the sport of racing has come a long way, with the cars becoming faster and leaner and both drivers and fans more aggressive. But the history of NASCAR can still be felt at every race with the roar of the engine and the crowd. The Points SystemThe NASCAR Points System seems confusing when first encountered but is actually quite simple. Points are awarded to drivers based on the Final Position in the race as well as the number of laps a driver led during the race. For the Final Position, the first place driver is awarded 185 points with the second place driver receiving 15 less points at 170. Awarded points drops 5 points for each position until the 6th place where the driver is awarded 150 points. For the 7th through the 11th position, points then drop by four with 11th place receiving 130 points. From that point on, earned points drop by three for every position. For number of laps led, drivers can receive up to 10 bonus points, 5 for leading at least one lap and 5 for leading the most laps during the race. The NumbersUnlike other racing series, NASCAR numbers are not assigned based the points position from the previous year. This actually allows NASCAR to allow diver recognition based on number alone and in doing so allows them to trademark driver memorabilia, such as hats, shirts and jackets. Driver numbers can range from 0 to 99. However, if two teams wish to use the same double digit number a three digit number may be enacted, as in Marcis #71 and LePage #171. Race StartBefore every race NASCAR holds a mandatory driver meeting, which is held 2 hours before the race begins. If a driver fails to attend the meeting, or if the racing team requires any type of change to their machine, they will be required to start in the last position. Five minutes after the National Anthem the grand marshal will declare "Gentlemen start your engines." Drivers will be given a minimum of three warm up laps and the official ace will begin with a rolling start. Flags
Several flags are used during the course of the race to indicate certain events.
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