Nascar- the Backwoods Roots

by Valli_Hilaire

NASCAR stands for the National Stock Car Auto Racing Association. The organization itself is a conduit for many companies to market their products while giving fans of auto racing a thrilling experience. The roots of NASCAR go back to the very thing that spawned the American Revolution: a disdain for excessive taxation. Yes, NASCAR roots actually begin around the year 1794 and at the heart of the Whiskey Rebellion.

The Whiskey Rebellion was spawned because the new United States Federal Government imposed a tax on farmers who distilled their extra grain so as to bring it to market as well. Back in those days, there were not sophisticated highways and rail systems to get grain to market and farmers did the best they could to deliver it. Any grain left over would be distilled into spirits rather than let it go bad. The spirits of course would be imported to the markets and sold in that form. It was this that Alexander Hamilton wanted to tax. Of course the farmers rebelled because this was part of their very livelihood.

Some farmers secretly distilled the spirits and transported the end product in secret and under cover of darkness to their end markets. Thus the seeds of NASCAR were planted although at this time there was no such thing as cars. Thus the spirit of NASCAR came to pass.

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In the 1920s and early 1930s, the Federal government would again try to control the production and transportation of spirits through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution known as Prohibition. It was one thing that the farmers would manufacture the spirits in secret for personal use but that of course was unprofitable. So the “bootlegger” was born. Bootleggers were those who would run illegal spirits (also known as moonshine) to secret markets in high-speed cars under cover of darkness. The activity was characterized by Federal agents chasing and hunting them down. It was risky business and sometimes even mortal.

Bootlegging began to create competition among the drivers of the moonshine cars and it was sport to see who had the fastest car. Over time, they would even collectively get together and have races on Sunday afternoons. All the local people would come out and spend a Sunday afternoon watching the races and that night, the drivers would turn their sport into work and run the illegal moonshine to secret buyers.

In 1938, Daytona Beach Florida would become the place of the first NASCAR race. Daytona Beach was a good place for racing because the beach sands were firm and the beach area was wide. The prizes for the winners were simple and could be things like a case of motor oil, a bottle of spirits, or a box of cigars. The organizer and promoter of this event was a man named Bill France. Bill France would go on to build the organization we known as NASCAR today.

In the 1950s, the business model of NASCAR began to form and it continues today. Many promoters of products will pay drivers and car teams to carry their logo on their car and on driver suits. If the team is a winner it is a great position for a promoter to be in. Plus, many companies enjoy having the NASCAR logo associated with their businesses and products.

And for the fans of NASCAR, it is great fun and excitement.