NASCAR
NASCAR
NASCAR
About NASCAR
NASCAR® and its marks are trademarks of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
NASCAR, an acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. NASCAR has three national series that it sanctions for racing.
NASCAR Cup Series
NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
NASCAR Cup Series
In a historic shift for the sport, beginning in 2020 NASCAR’s premier series became known as the NASCAR Cup Series and featured four cornerstone brands as Premier Partners: Busch Beer, Coca-Cola®, GEICO and Xfinity. All four partners are prominently featured in multiple platforms across the sport, including integrations in broadcast, NASCAR digital and social channels, event entitlements, in-market promotions and at-track activations.
Thrilling Racing
NASCAR enhanced the on-track product starting in 2017 with the introduction of stage racing, which ensures more highlight-reel moments during a race, increases the sense of urgency and emphasizes aggressive racing and strategy. The battle on track also extends to Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota – who have reached a level of parity that all but guarantees the fight for the manufacturer championship will come down to the very end of the season.
The Next Generation of Stock Cars
Looking to the future, NASCAR is developing the Next Gen car — expected to hit the track in 2022. The new car is going to feature a redesigned body and under-the-hood enhancements to make NASCAR stock cars even more like the cars in showrooms across America.
Youth is Rising
The future stars of NASCAR are taking over the spotlight today as drivers such as Kyle Larson, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Austin Cindric, Harrison Burton, and Chase Elliott are challenging for – and winning – races throughout the season. They battle established superstars like Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano, who continue to build their own legacies.
Global Reach
With developmental series in Mexico (NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series), Canada (NASCAR Pinty’s Series) and across Europe (NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), NASCAR’s global reach is felt far and wide. Most recently, Daniel Suárez (Mexico) and Alon Day (Israel) joined the ranks of NASCAR Cup Series drivers who got their start in NASCAR’s international circuits.
The Dawn of eNASCAR
Building on more than 70 years of on-track success, NASCAR raced into the future with the launch of the eNASCAR in 2018. Aimed at fostering fan engagement and driver development, eNASCAR is uniquely positioned to drive the sport forward through the use of gaming and esports. The various initiatives under the eNASCAR umbrella will see drivers, teams and the industry come together like never before with the goal of creating a brighter and stronger future for the sport.
From Stock Cars To Sports Cars With IMSA
Exotic cars, international stars and premier road course and street circuits define the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the top level of sports car competition in North America. A total of 14 manufacturers and championship drivers from NASCAR, open-wheel and international sports car competition compete for the top step on the podium at prestigious endurance events such as the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and Petit Le Mans.
NASCAR Cup Series
The Cup Series is the most elite level of all three series. Beginning in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, the series is what put NASCAR on the map and is the highest level that a professional NASCAR driver can reach.
From 1950-1970, the series was known as the Grand National Series before becoming the NASCAR Winston Cup Series from 1971-2003. That kicked off an era in which the series name included a sponsor name with iterations including the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
Now, the series is known as the NASCAR Cup Series with multiple sponsors making up the Premier Partners of NASCAR. Currently, those Premier Partners are Busch Beer, Coca-Cola and Xfinity.
The Cup Series holds races all over the United States on short tracks, intermediate tracks, superspeedways and road courses. In 2023, NASCAR raced for the first time on the streets of Chicago and saw Australian Supercar driver Shane Van Gisbergen take the win. In 2025, the Cup Series will go international for a points-paying race in Mexico City.
Sixteen drivers qualify for the Cup Series Playoffs, with elimination rounds whittling the field down to 12 drivers and then eight and then four for the Championship 4 in the final race. The best finisher among the Championship 4 drivers in the final race is crowned the champion.
The first champion of NASCAR’s top division was Red Byron in 1949, driving for owner Raymond Parks. Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson are tied for the most Cup Series titles at seven apiece. Jeff Gordon is next on the list with four titles. Lee Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart and Joey Logano each have three championships.
NASCAR Xfinity Series
The Xfinity Series is the second tier of racing and often serves as a stepping stone for Cup drivers and teams. The series is where drivers make a name for themselves and build their fanbases.
From 1982-1983, the series was called the Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series before becoming the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series for the next 18 years. From 2003-2007, it was known as the Busch Series before becoming sponsored by Nationwide. This changed the name to the NASCAR Nationwide Series from 2008-2014 before changing sponsors to Comcast and becoming today’s name, the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
The Xfinity Series holds races on the same tracks as the Cup Series but with fewer laps. A flange-fit composite body is used for the Xfinity cars.
Instead of 16 drivers making the playoffs like in the Cup Series, only 12 drivers make it to the Xfinity Series playoffs. The field is whittled down to eight and then four for the Championship 4, where the best finisher among the Championship 4 drivers is crowned the champion in the final race.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
With its debut in 1995, the modified pickup truck races are in the third tier of NASCAR racing under the Xfinity Series and Cup Series. This is where most drivers make their national series debut.
Originally, the races took place on mainly short tracks in the West. Now, races also take place on speedways and subsequently have similar schedules to the other series.
The series has gone through several sponsorship and name changes over the years. It has gone from NASCAR SuperTruck Series, to Craftsman Truck Series in 1996, Camping World Truck Series in 2009, to Gander Outdoors Truck Series in 2019, to Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series in 2020, back to Camping World Truck Series in 2021, and finally returned to Craftsman Truck Series to start the 2023 season.
Ten drivers make it to the Truck Series playoffs, with the field getting reduced to eight and then four through elimination races before the Championship 4 in the final race, where the top finisher out of the Championship 4 drivers is crowned the champion.