Nascar Baby Walker By Delta

Amazing History of NASCAR

Many NASCAR fans have no idea in regards to the history of Nascar Racing, mostly because it’s popularity was geographraphically located in the southern states. Many of the newer fans know of Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, but have never heard of some of the earliest drivers who helped make the current NASCAR a possibility. Tickets for Nascar Races are just about sold out for every race this season.

Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR in 1948 on February 21st. France selected Erwin Baker aka “Cannonball” as the first NASCAR Commissioner. Baker was already a legend, having raced previously at Indianapolis and set over 100 speed records on land. There is a transcontinental race named after Baker.

Junior Johnson was for sure on of NASCAR’s first stars, winning six racing championshipsand more than fifty races. Junior had a unique past, as he had made quite a name for himself running moonshine. Upon retiring from racing in 1966 he went on to become a team owner.

Ned Jarret the father of Dale Jarret was another early racing star. His nickname was “Gentleman Jim”, Jarret was well known for selling one of his race cars to Wendell Scott, the first African American Nascar Driver. Jarret won two championships and 50 plus races. He then went into the booth to become an announcer, and his son Dale followed shortly in his footsteps and became a driver.

Former star Lee Petty’s son also followed his father into racing, and Richard Petty became the biggest star Nascar has ever seen. Lee was no slouch though, winning three race championships and the first running of the Daytona 500. The first Daytona race was so close; it took three days before Petty was finally decared the winner. Lee Petty had a late start to his race career, as he did not start racing until he was 35. It did not take long before he was a fan favorite. When he retired, he founded Petty Enterprises, one of the most successful race teams. The number 43, Richard Petty is NASCAR’s has won mor races than anyone in history of racing.

Wendell Scott is a historic driver, as he is the only black racer to ever win a Nascar Race. Scott was a feerless driver at the beginning, racing the (white|neighborhood} foes on his bicycle. After participating for his country in World War II, Wendell Scott, like Junior Johnson, began transporting moonshine. He would go to the races, and got his shot when a promoter, desperate for a gimmick to fill the seats, thought he stir the pot somewhat by putting a Negro in the race. Scott had to deal with racial slurs and white drivers trying to wreck him. He succeeded, and won the only race a black driver has ever won in NASCAR back in 1961. Scott continued to compete until he was forced to retire in 1973.