"Stock Car" racing was run this way for several years with great success, however the time came when several "modifications" were allowed in the name of safety. Then there were the manufacturers that produced "high performance" parts for production cars that in turn made them eligible for racing in the Stock division. The 1950's was a period of great development of the stock car. Racing specific tires, roll cages, "severe use" stock parts, and even two-way radios were first used during this time. Then in 1955 the introduction of the Chevrolet 355-cubic inch "small block" V-8 took racing to a whole new level. This engine, with few minor changes, is still used for many kinds of racing today. This development, along with the new GM "x-frame" design of 1958 ushered in the new super speedways of the late 50's and early 60's.
With the opening of Daytona International Speedway on 1959, Bill France brought stock car racing to a point never seen by the american public. Grand National racing, as it was now called, was on a larger stage than ever before. Even though the manufacturers signed an agreement in 1957 to abandon factory racing, they soon realized that to sell more automobiles their cars had to win races. Finally, in 1962 with Ford leading the way the manufacturers got back into stock car racing in a big way. This was the time of Lee Petty, Junior Johnson, and Ned Jerrett. THe 1960's also brought the introduction of the Chrysler Hemi. This engine so dominated NASCAR events that Bill France banned the Hemi before the 1965 racing season. However, along with the Hemi had come NASCAR's new star and future racing icon, Richard Petty.
Richard Petty brought to stock car racing the humbleness and grace rarely seen before or since. The owner of many records in NASCAR including most wins-200, pole positions-127, and most wins in a season-27. Even with his superstar performances on the track, "the King", always maintained his close relationship with the fans, never refusing an autograph. This attitude of appreciation towards the fans, has made many believe that this man was the saviour of NASCAR, and stock car racing as a whole, during the years to follow.
In 1971 the R.J. Reynolds Co. became the title sponsor of the Grand National racing and the name was changed to The Winston Cup. ABC had begun to broadcast the Daytona 500 in 1970, and despite the fuel crisis of 1974, Winston Cup racing continued to grow. 2 significant races in the 70's helped to make NASCAR what it is today. In 1976, the last portion of the Daytona 500 was broadcast live on ABC. Before the race many cars were found to be running nitrous oxide, so they were slower than they had qualified, leaving Richard Petty and David Pearson as the fastest on the track. Going into turn 4, on the last lap, both cars collided and spun into the infield. Petty was unable to restart his car, leaving Pearson to cross the finish line at about 20 mph for the win. Finally in 1979, again the Daytona 500 produced fireworks. Being broadcast from start to finish for the first time by CBS, it was a battle of giants. Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough were the favorites to win. Leading Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip by a half of lap, Yarborough attempted to pass Allison on the inside in the last lap. Allison moved down to close the door, and both collided, hitting the outside wall and coming to rest on the infield. By the time Richard Petty crossed the finish line, both Allison and Yarborough were out of their cars and fighting on national TV. Talk about a spectator sport!
The 80's and 90's was the time of the emergence of "The Intimidator" Dale Earnhart, Sr. The black #3 was one of the most feared cars to ever be seen in a rearview mirror. The career race winner at Daytona, Earnhart finally won the race that had eluded him his whole life, the 1998 Daytona 500. In a tragic twist, Daytona is also the site of Earnhart's death in 2001.
The end of the 1990's and the beginning of the new millinium has introduced us to names like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, and others. Even with the change to the Nextel Cup, NASCAR racing remains an exciting part of our american heritage.
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