Was NASCAR started by moonshiners?

It wasn't gasoline—but moonshine—that fueled the growth of stock car racing in Appalachia and led to the rise of NASCAR. It wasn't gasoline—but moonshine—that fueled the growth of stock car racing in Appalachia and led to the rise of NASCAR.

Why is NASCAR connected to moonshine?

The answer is simple: In the first decade or so of NASCAR racing, the transportation of illegal liquor in the South was huge business, and a lot of the sport's early stars drove, owned or built moonshine cars. Johnson was the best-known bootlegger in Wilkes County, North Carolina, a hotbed of the moonshine industry.

How did NASCAR get its beginning?

The legacy of the Prohibition runner went beyond casual backwoods racing in 1936, when the city of Daytona, Florida, held the first organized stock car race as a promotion.

Which NASCAR drivers ran moonshine?

Junior Johnson is a genuine folk hero, once dubbed “The Last American Hero” in an Esquire article. He honed his driving skills as a moonshine runner and in 1956 was arrested by federal agents at his father's moonshine still and served 11 months in federal prison.

What cars did moonshiners drive?

A variety of vehicles, including Dodge Coronets, Oldsmobile Rocket 88s, and Chevy Coupes, were used as moonshine runners. The most popular car of all, though, was the Ford Model A Coupe.

How Outlaw Moonshiners Started NASCAR | WheelHouse

Who owns NASCAR now?

The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and his son, Jim France, has been the CEO since August 2018. The company is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Each year, NASCAR sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 48 US states as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

What was NASCAR called before NASCAR?

From 1950-1970 the series was known as the Grand National Series before becoming the NASCAR Winston Cup Series from 1971-2003.

Are NASCAR cars really stock?

Every NASCAR car has a few stock parts—hence the name stock car—but these are strictly cosmetic. A stock part is a part that is made in an assembly line by the manufacturer. The only stock parts are the hood, roof, trunk lid, and front grill. The rest of the car is custom made.

Do they still run moonshine?

Moonshine production today comes in many forms. There are still plenty of backwoods blackpot stills throughout the South, the traditional home of illegal liquor production. But there are also high-tech, larger operations organized like modern businesses.

When did NASCAR stop using stock cars?

The Strictly Stock cars were used until 1966 when NASCAR ordered its first significant competition change to the Grand National Division.

How fast did moonshine cars go?

Most moonshine cars added special heavy back springs and shocks to hold the vehicle level when loaded. A 1940 Ford Coupe was a runner's vehicle of choice before the 1950s. The coupe sported a Flat-head V-8 engine, large trunk space and could be souped up to run upwards of 180 mph.

What were moonshine runners called?

Once the liquor was distilled, drivers called "runners" or "bootleggers" smuggled moonshine and "bootleg" (illegally imported) liquor across the region in cars specially modified for speed and load-carrying capacity.

Who is the CEO of NASCAR?

Live Fast Motorsports (LFM) announced today that Jessica McLeod has been appointed as the company's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Jessica will be working directly with the company's team owners, Matt Tifft, and her husband, co-owner and driver, No. 78, B.J. McLeod.

Why did Dodge leave NASCAR?

Despite designing a Gen-6 car, Dodge stepped away from the sport after Brad Keselowski's 2012 championship. The American automaker pulled its support, unable to find a flagship team to replace the departing Penske Racing.

Who builds the engines for NASCAR?

Toyota NASCAR vehicles have a 725 horsepower V8 racing engine. Toyota Racing Development is based in Southern California and supplies engines for four racing teams. The company builds 350 to 400 racing engines a year for its NASCAR teams.

What motor is used in NASCAR?

The cars are currently powered by EFI V8 engines, since 2012, after 62 years using carburetion as engine fuel feed with compacted graphite iron blocks and pushrod valvetrains actuating two-valves per cylinder, and are limited to a 358 cubic inch (5.9-liter) displacement.

How much did Michael Jordan pay for his NASCAR team?

“$150 million is what Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin paid for 23XI racing!”: A closer look at how the NBA legend got his team and Bubba Wallace.

What family owns NASCAR?

The France family -the "First Family of NASCAR" - has controlled the stock car racing organization since its inception in 1948. Brian France, the grandson of founder Bill France, Sr. and son of former CEO Bill Jr., has been at the helm since 2003.

Has the France family sold NASCAR?

Significant growth will come from the merger of ISC and NASCAR. The sale of NASCAR is "absolutely" not in the foreseeable future, according to its president Steve Phelps. "The France family is not interested in selling NASCAR at all," Phelps said during an interview on FOX Business' "Mornings with Maria."

Who was the best moonshine runner?

Of course, we wouldn't be talking moonshine without the man, the myth, the legend, Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton. The most recognized modern moonshiner, good old hillbilly Popcorn Sutton was born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina in 1949.

What year did NASCAR begin?

NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is conceived. FEBRUARY 15, 1948 – NASCAR runs its first race in Daytona Beach at the beach road course. Red Byron wins in a Ford.

When did they stop running moonshine?

In 1933 Prohibition had finally come to an end, but this only slightly slowed down the demand for Moonshine. The tax free, cheap price and high alcohol content of moonshine kept it in high demand throughout the Southern U.S. and major cities all over the US.