# Will Someone Please Explain "NASCAR" to Me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 28, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760 "2003-04-28T20:15:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/1 "2003-04-28T20:15:35Z")
I understand it’s some kind of car race that has become wildly popular over the past few years, but other than that it is as a blank slate to me. What makes it different than other car races? Why are the cars “NAS?” Is it like “motocross?” And what happened to the “r” in “motocross?” In short, what is the charm and allure of NASCAR? Is it more a social event, like the Harvard/Yale game and Ascot? ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/2 "2003-04-28T20:23:08Z")
You hit the nail right on the head - it is EXACTLY like the Harvard/Yale game, only with much more beer and much fewer teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/3 "2003-04-28T20:25:16Z")
I believe the term “hicks turning left” sums it up nicely. 🙂 (No offense intended to any hicks, or any people turning left, of course.) ---
**Author:** ![roadrunner70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@roadrunner70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roadrunner70)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/4 "2003-04-28T20:26:01Z")
NASCAR is like Harley Davidson’s. If I have to explain it to you, you wouldn’t understand. ---
**Author:** ![verbenabeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c4cdca/32.png) [@verbenabeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/verbenabeast)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/5 "2003-04-28T20:27:08Z")
National Association of Stock Car Automobile Racing go fast… turn left… anything else I can help you with? ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/6 "2003-04-28T20:27:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by plnnr \* > \*\*You hit the nail right on the head - it is EXACTLY like the Harvard/Yale game, only with much more beer and much fewer teeth. \*\* Come on now, let’s not let stereotypes persist. I have all my teeth! 🙂 Here’s a good site: > **[How NASCAR Race Cars Work](https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-racing/nascar/nascar-basics/nascar.htm)** > > The original NASCAR races were run on dirt tracks in regular street cars. Today, almost every piece of a NASCAR race car is handmade. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how these amazing machines come together. And Dale Earnhardt Jr. is god. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/7 "2003-04-28T20:30:00Z")
NASCAR is definitely a social event, but it involves beer and barbecue instead of wine and cheese. NASCAR = National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Know your NASCAR from the [nascar.com](http://nascar.com) site: [http://www.nascar.com/kyn/index.html](http://www.nascar.com/kyn/index.html) NASCAR cars are known as “stock cars” because in the early days of the sport, the cars were pretty closely based on models that automakers actually sold to the public, as opposed to, say, Formula One racecars, which were intended solely for racing. Of course, as time has gone by, there’s not much similiarity any more between the Ford you see on the track and the one you see cruising down the road, but the original intent and purpose of stock car racing was to show off an automaker’s street vehicles. And trust me, the beer makes watching a car go round in a circle 50 times a lot more interesting. People do watch for the crashes, they just don’t like to admit it. ---
**Author:** ![roadrunner70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@roadrunner70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roadrunner70)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/8 "2003-04-28T20:30:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bruce\_Daddy \* > \*\*And Dale Earnhardt Jr. is god. \*\* Shouldn’t that be “son of god”? ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/9 "2003-04-28T20:30:38Z")
From what I understand (my nephews are big fans…) NASCAR is an acronym…something along the lines of National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing - “Stock Car” meaning race cars built on “stock” factory car bodies (at least they used to be…) rather than the Formula1 type pure racing machines. The charm and allure? I dunno. Speed? For that, I watch the Reno Air Races… ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/10 "2003-04-28T20:35:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by roadrunner70 \* > \*\*NASCAR is like Harley Davidson’s. > > If I have to explain it to you, you wouldn’t understand. \*\* Whenever I hear this excuse, all I can think is “so you don’t understand it yourself?” This isn’t rocket science. Is it impossible to come up with a short list of 3-5 things that you like about NASCAR? I hate and can’t stand car racing, but even I can come up with several: 1. Joe Fan grew up around cars, and enjoys the technical aspects. 2. Joe Fan likes to drive fast, and watch others do it even faster. 3. Joe Fan likes the community in which he can drink a lot of beer, sit in the sun, and watch cars turn left. 4. Joe Fan is a current/former NASCAR driver/mechanic. 5. Joe Fan hates Phish and the Grateful Dead, but really wants a reason to tour around the country with a large group of people living out of their vans. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/11 "2003-04-28T20:36:37Z")
Ah. Thanks you. Much explained. Besides the “going around and around and around” thing, does anything _happen?_ I mean, does someone _win_ after so many runs around the track? ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/12 "2003-04-28T20:38:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by roadrunner70 \* > \*\*Shouldn’t that be “son of god”? \*\* Well, it’s a trinity thing, without the third member. You goin’ to DE day festivities tomorrow? ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/13 "2003-04-28T20:39:32Z")
Damn…I dont think I’ve ever seen this many simulposts…everyone hit “submit” at exactly the same time! ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/14 "2003-04-28T20:41:21Z")
National Association for the Study and Care of American Rednecks? ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/15 "2003-04-28T20:43:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*Ah. Thanks you. Much explained. > > Besides the “going around and around and around” thing, does anything _happen?_ I mean, does someone _win_ after so many runs around the track? \*\* Um, well, yes, someone wins. It is a race, after all. Usually there will be a crash or two - it’s not the safest thing in the world, driving in heavy traffic at 170mph…and after a certain pre-determined number of laps, like any other race, somebody finishes first and wins. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/16 "2003-04-28T20:48:25Z")
It should be pointed out that NASCAR consists of about a billion races. You get points based on how you finish in each race, and at the end of the year, there’s a big winner of all NASCARdom. I think they crown that person and name him their king, but I could be mistaken. Winners of individual races get small fiefdoms spreading from Alabama to southern North Carolina, and a cash prize. I could be wrong about the fiefdom. ---
**Author:** ![Branwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@Branwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Branwen)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/17 "2003-04-28T20:53:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bruce\_Daddy \* > \*\*Well, it’s a trinity thing, without the third member. > \*\* It’s a trinity thing. To at least some fans, DE is the father and the holy ghost. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/18 "2003-04-28T20:54:10Z")
Durn New Yorkers don’t know nuthin’. Next you’ll be wantin’ somebody to explain to you what Rodeo is. [Garth Brooks] "It’s bulls and blood It’s dust and mud It’s the roar of a Sunday crowd It’s the white in his knuckles And the gold in the buckle He’ll win the next go-round" [/Garth Brooks] The winner’s fiefdom isn’t all that small. It usually consists of at least three counties. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/19 "2003-04-28T21:04:13Z")
There’s only one legend in NASCAR and it’s … [Dick Trickle !](http://www.dicktricklefanclub.com/) - damn, I just can’t help myself 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760/20 "2003-04-28T21:10:19Z")
> [@](#): > > NASCAR is like Harley Davidson’s. > > If I have to explain it to you, you wouldn’t understand. Of course, some of us _do_ understand Harley Davidsons and stock car racing; but we still think they’re silly. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-someone-please-explain-nascar-to-me/171760.md?page=2)