NASCAR Around the World Part 1

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You might have been shocked to read in this post that NASCAR is actually a worldwide phenomenon. Given the popularity of Formula 1 racing in other countries it is surprising that NASCAR has been able to take such a foothold.

The other thing you may not know about NASCAR is that it doesn't just consist of the Sunday races that are televised to many homes in the US. In fact, there are actually six different major divisions within NASCAR as well as many other regional divisions.

Like pretty much everything this days, there is always a corporate sponsor behind the scenes, so many of the names for these divisions might seem a little silly.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

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These are the big races that you most likely have seen or heard about. All of those big name drivers that you are familiar with (or not) race at this level. The season consists of thirty six races across a ten month span. This level of competition has had several sponsors including: R J Reynolds (a tobacco company), Nextel, and finally Monster Energy drinks.

In 2011 the original points system that was written on a bar napkin (reference the post I mentioned above to learn more) was discarded for an updated set of rules. The points system was again modified in 2014.

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NASCAR Xfinity Series

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This is the second highest level of NASCAR competition. There is a good possibility you have heard of some of the racers in this division, but there aren't as many big names as you get from the highest level of racing. Like the top division, this level has seen several sponsors over the years.

It was originally created in 1982 and sponsored by Anheuser-Busch. It eventually became know as the Busch Series. In 2007 the sponsorship was taken up by Nationwide Insurance, and finally in 2014 Xfinity took the reigns. The Busch League name still sticks and has become a part of modern language and culture usually in reference to something substandard or less than the best.

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Gander Outdoors Truck Series

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This level of competition uses as the name might imply modified pickup trucks. It was established in 1994 and was originally sponsored by Craftsman. Fans weren't quite sure how to react to the division when it was first created. It was mostly dominated by older drivers who were no longer competing at the other levels.

That perception has changed over time and now there are many drives in the Monster Energy series that got their start in the Truck series.

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Chase Format

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All three of these divisions of racing operate on some version of a "Chase" format. While all racers compete in each race, there are only 8 to 16 (depending on the division) racers who are in the chase for the cup. Their position in the chase is tied to a points scale that is based on how they finished in the last race.

Additionally, a specific number of drivers is eliminated after each subsequent race. Again, the number eliminated is tied to the series that they are racing in.

Stay tuned for a future post where I cover the remaining divisions

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