NASCAR Origins: Moonshiners Racing In The Dirt
The history of NASCAR dates back to the days of prohibition. Drivers known as moonshiners would go up the winding roads of the Appalachian Mountains to buy illicit whiskey (moonshine) from stills hidden up in the mountains. The moonshiners then had to be able to outrun Law enforcement that would often wait down in the winding roads. To get an extra edge, the moonshiners would add modifications to their vehicles to improve speed and handling. At times, the drivers would hold informal races to establish bragging rights as to who was the best. Most early races were on dirt tracks, like the roads up into the mountains where the moonshiners plied their trade. After World War 2, something resembling organized stock car racing as a spectator sport came into being. Thanks to the efforts of driver ”Big Bill” Stance, the official rules for stock car races were established in December 1947, in a meeting of drivers and mechanics held in daytona beach. Two months later, the first official NASCAR race was held. Today, NASCAR events attract crowds of up to 200,000, making it the largest spectator sport in America. Its come a long way from outlaws racing on dirt tracks indeed.
