NASCAR Diecasts.com

Nascar uses a points and rating system of rules to award its drivers. Now the prize money is not the only thing that matters. The points also count. Let’s now take a gander at the history of the Nascar points system. From 1949, when Nascar began, to 1951, Nascar awarded points on the base of the position in the race. The 1st position got 10 points, the second got 9 points, and so on. These points were increased by the 0.05 race purse. Then, from here until 1967, the winners were awarded points on a linear scale.
From 1949 to 1971, Nascar tried six different point and rating systems before they reached the current rating system. In 1972, Nascar inaugurated a new points system. Then, three various systems were tried for three various years. The systems were strange in some of the cases. Some counted mileage; some counted the finishing position as well as the mileage. There were complaints coming in from fans. The points system was not favorable. There was a Nascar champion that had won just one race in his career. The bigger races had more points. Those who won the bigger races eventually scored more points than their counterparts who had won more races.
The Current System Comes Into Existence -
It was in 1975 that the current points system was developed. Two forms of this system were again tried from 1982 to 1998. In this system, the points were awarded according to the final position and the number of laps covered during the race. There are three scales again for the number of points that a person can receive according to his finishing position. In the current system, the winner receives 180 points, the 2nd place gets 170, and so on, with 10 points separating the winner from the next position. Then, after the 2nd position, the first scale starts. In this scale, 5 points separate one position from another. This scale lasts from the 2nd to the 6th position. Then, from the 7th to the 11th position, the second scale comes into effect. Four points separate one position from another, and in the last scale 3 points separate one position from another.
Other Points -
There are other points also that come into the picture. For every lap that is completed, a racer gets 5 points. There is also an additional 5 points awarded for the most number of laps based on lap leadership. Driver points are also counted. If a driver is replaced during the race, then the points earned by the replacement driver still count toward the original driver’s tally.
Owner points are also given to the owner of a car. For every car that qualifies for the race, the owner points given are the same as driver points.

NASCAR drivers give up time with their families, a lot of money, and potentially their lives to have a career in racing. What kind of passion motivates them?
Imagine what family time is like for a NASCAR driver. Testing begins in January and races don’t end until mid-November. That’s racing or practicing almost every weekend and the week is the time for race preparation. Lack of time together strains even the strongest of marriages. That’s why Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has chosen to stay single for now. He says he has seen half a dozen marriages fail and expects to see another half dozen end because of racing. The long and brutal schedule doesn’t leave much time for family life.
NASCAR racing is an expensive sport. Someone has to pay for entry fees, travel expenses, and racing gear. It’s not uncommon to hear of parents taking out a second mortgage to get their kids to the track so they can be discovered. Being a big name in the NASCAR news is the ultimate goal for these families. For some families, like Denny Hamlin’s, it has really paid off. Denny has been able to give back to his parents everything that they gave up for him to succeed and them some. Not everyone is so lucky.
Although NASCAR is cracking down on safety, racing is still a dangerous sport with the death toll at a startling 32 since the inception of NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt, Sr. left not only a nameless faceless nation of NASCAR fans in mourning on the fateful day of this death but people who loved him and called him friend. Drivers crave the speed and the thrill of racing. Do they ever feel fear when they strap into their seats and get ready to travel at speeds close to 200 mph? If they do, they’re not telling.
What kind of passion compels NASCAR drivers to take the risk every time they get on the track? Does the possibility that they might lose their life ever cause them to rethink their decision to be a driver? Is it worth it? To be able to do something every day that they love and have a passion for is enough for these guys. The fever that drives these NASCAR stars is something that causes them to make sacrifices and never look back. And the millions of NASCAR fans are grateful.

Gentlemen, start your engines and ladies, grab your beach bag. It’s NASCAR time in Daytona Beach, Florida. 2006 is already wooing a track full of die-hard race car drivers and fans are pulling up trackside to get a glimpse of the action. Make sure you’re there in 2006 for non-stop excitement at every turn on the track!

The season begins with the forty-fourth Rolex 24 which kicks off the 2006 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series on the weekend of January 26-29. Considered one of the most prestigious endurance races, the entry list features 73 entries which will exceed the 2005 entry list by eleven cars. Benny Parsons will act as the Grand Marshall for this event.

On February 11, 2006, the Budweiser Shootout will start their ‘run’ followed by the Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying run. The Shootout represents the beginning of Speed Week at Daytona, ending with the Daytona 500. On February 18, the Hershey’s Kissable kicks off the NASCAR Busch Series for 2006. In between are truck races and other events to keep every race fan in total bliss.

On February 19, Daytona Beach hosts the Daytona 500, one of the great American traditions in NASCAR racing. The race begins at 2 p.m. Eastern and runs for 500 laps on the world-famous track. Of course, all the big names will be entered in the race, including Jeff Gordon, Tony Steward and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. This year holds a special treat because Bill Elliot has come out of retirement to return for this race. Elliot left full-time racing in 2003, only running a few races in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Of course, Dale Jr. is a favorite in this race. His father, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. died in a freak accident during the Daytona 500 in the 2001 race.

Since its beginning in 1959, the Daytona 500 has been one of the most popular races ever held. The television ratings for this event indicate that it is one of the most-watched sports events, surpassing even the Super Bowl! As the first race of the Nextel Cup Series (in addition to being the first biggest race of the year), the fan’s race to obtain tickets is phenomenal.

The Daytona 500 is a direct offshoot of a race once held on the sands of Daytona Beach. After the 1959 opening of the Daytona International Speedway, the race as we know it continues to grow.

That very first Daytona 500 was won by Lee Petty, father of Richard Petty. The win was most interesting because Johnny Beauchamp was initially announced as the winner after both Petty and Beauchamp lapped Joe Weatherly on the final lap. Three days later, after reviewing photographs and video of the finish, the call was overthrown and Petty was announced as the official winner of that first Daytona 500. His son, Richard, has won the Daytona 500 seven times during his career and holds the record for the most wins for this particular racing event.

The qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unique in that teams must race their way into the field instead of taking qualifying laps. The first row is set through one round of qualifying that usually occurs one week in advance of the actual race. The remainder of the field is established by qualifying races of 150 miles. During 2004 and before, the qualifying races were 125 miles.

After the Daytona 500, Wisk Presents the Daytona 500 After-Party which includes a dinner buffet, complimentary soft drinks, a cash bar, live entertainment and much, much more. You must purchase advance tickets to attend this party. ConAgra hosts the Monday morning Champion’s Breakfast event which features car induction festivities, a buffet breakfast, and more. This event also requires advance purchase of a ticket. The Champion’s Breakfast marks the official end of Speed Week at Daytona.

Access to the Daytona International Speedway is simple and easy from the north and south via Interstate-95 which lies within two miles of the race track. Interstate-4 provides access from the west while U.S. Highway 1 provides a scenic drive from the north and south.

While visiting Daytona Beach, you’ll want to take a drive along the white sand beaches, one of the only remaining beaches in Florida that permit driving on the sand. These beautiful beaches extend for miles and provide a unique experience for anyone who has never had the joy of driving alongside the Atlantic Ocean. Just don’t leave your car parked on the sand too close to the water at low tide. Every week, cars must be towed onto shore when the high tide floods them.

During Speed Week, accommodations can be hard to find unless you have made reservations well in advance. Many race fans book reservations and purchase their race tickets a full year in advance. The ocean-front hotels, of course, fill up first as do those closest to the Speedway. For those who desire very affordable housing for the week, nearby towns offer plenty of accommodations within one-half hour’s drive from the track. Even Orlando with all its plush hotels is only forty-five minutes away on Interstate-4.

Camping is a popular solution to the accommodations problem during Speed Week. There are numerous campgrounds in the area within a few miles of the race track and the cost of renting a campsite for the week is very affordable. Because of Central Florida’s mild weather, camping poses a viable solution. The nights may require a few blankets, however, but most of the daytime temperatures are quite comfortable. Many of the hard-core race enthusiasts bring campers, vans and motor homes, purchasing infield tickets and parking for the entire week. Every evening, cookouts in the infield bring the smells of steaks, hot dogs and hamburgers to the air. Those gathered in the infield party with others from all over the country both day and night, having a thoroughly great time while enjoying the races.

If you have never been to a Daytona 500 to hear those famous words, “Gentlemen, start your engines”, you will never forget the experience. Not only will you enjoy the races, but the entire city of Daytona Beach will provide memories for years to come.

What, in the name of Richard Petty, is happening to my NASCAR? I want to fall in love again. I want to get that feeling back-like an old relationship that fizzled and you’re still trying to figure out the classic WWW question…What Went Wrong? Let’s go back to the good old days-the year 2001.

NASCAR was popular but only to a certain demographic-the good old boys of the South. Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in the first race of 2001-the Daytona 500. Ironically, his death struck a chord with fans and non-fans alike;suddenly NASCAR reached a new level and elevated the sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr. became the icon apparent after that tragic day, not by choice but by birthright. This unfortunate moment in time by virtue of one tragic moment put NASCAR in primetime ratings territory.

With this new found success came corporate money and lots of it. Suddenly race teams became super-teams, leaving the less fortunate behind. Those owners that already had a super-star racer could afford to add to their stable of studs. Jeff Gordon spawned Jimmie Johnson, Rusty Wallace spawned Kurt Busch, Mark Martin spawned Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards etc. etc. All of the sudden, young drivers became the stars, leaving Dale Jarrett, Ricky Rudd, Sterling Marlin, Terry Labonte, Bobby Labonte and Kenny Schrader behind… and insignificant. The very men that carried the momentum left by Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison in the infamous 1979 Daytona 500 fist fight on CBS(The first Nascar race nationally televised in it’s entirety). In this article I gave you a breakdown of what brought us to the NASCAR we know and love at this point in time. In Part 2, I will speak and offer comments on why NASCAR will dwindle in attendance and T.V. ratings in the future, unless things change significantly.

Once, just once, I would like to see Kyle Petty win a race in NASCAR…or finish in the top 5 or the top 10. Heck, 15th place would be something to see. Petty, Bobby Labonte, Elliot Sadler, Michael Waltrip or anyone outside the top 20 in standings have no chance of being so lucky…or consistent. Today, in NASCAR, your charisma, charm and looks dictate how well you will perform throughout the season.

I have a theory; if you have 2 of the 3 characteristics, you will have a much better opportunity of getting a ride on one of the top tier teams. Top 20 driver, pretty much guaranteed. The other drivers on the cusp or borderline of these traits get a drive on the remainder of teams or the Nationwide Series…the others with talent…well, you can tune into the Craftsman Truck Series. A wealthy Sprint Cup team and it’s sponsors(multi-billion dollar corporations) want the best drivers who can represent their particular brand. It’s no coincidence that the Sprint Cuppers look like Hollywood “A” list celebrities and the Truck Series drivers look like…well, everyday, average people.

The squeaky clean Sprint Cup Series is in danger of alienating its core fans by offering a product that used to be competitive and exciting into predictable and dull. The Truck Series, which has not been affected as much by big money, has become the predominantly more competitive and captivating series. This is Sprint Cup racing at it’s peak excitement years, 10-15 years ago. Any one of these drivers has a legitimate chance of winning and this, more than anything, is why we attend or tune into a race or any sporting event in the first place…the outcome is not a guarantee or lock. Sprint Cup is in danger of becoming too predictable…the top 12 drivers have an 80% chance of winning a race. To paint a better picture, if you were betting on NFL games and guaranteed these odds, you would be able to buy your own NASCAR team in a few years.

Formula 1, considered to be the highest tier of auto racing, has for decades been the highest tier of materialism and excess. The product is secondary. North American race fans have always put a premium on quality of product…the NASCAR product is in danger of losing its base fans because the product has become secondary. Here’s what must change or the NASCAR fans interest and patience will slowly show with wavering attendance and television ratings.

(1) RACE TRACKS MUST BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE: Daytona, Talladega and Bristol give the fans the most competitive and exciting races for your dollar. These six races in a 36 race season allow us to watch close bumper to bumper racing with the potential of a caution at any moment. These three tracks exhibit one common characteristic…deep banking on the turns thus creating high speed action and close racing…and yes accidents. The appeal of racing is danger. Not so much risk that someone gets injured but a sense that one wrong move or mishap could create an edge for one driver and the end of the day for another. That’s drama and that’s what fans want. The majority of tracks do not offer such excitement. Most of the tracks offer single line racing with the superior car slowly picking off cars one by one; no three wide racing…just safe racing usually dominated by the 12-15 elite teams.

(2) REVENUE SHARING WILL CREATE PARITY: Let’s spread the wealth a bit to ensure the future of this sport. Television revenue should be disbursed accordingly to the weaker teams and down to the stronger teams. With more cash, the little guy could afford the technology necessary in gaining an edge in racing. Hendrick, Roush and the other SuperTeams need some competition or fans WILL become bored with the same drivers winning.

(3) CAUTION FREE RACING=CARS TAKING HUGE LEADS=BORING RACE: The elite teams are so superior today that these cars are establishing big leads early in the race thus leaving the bottom tier teams a lap down, in some cases, 25 laps into the race. This, coupled with the drivers “playing it safe” for the first three quarters of the race has made viewers impatient with the broadcast and reaching for the remote. I’ve been to three races in New Hampshire and can vouch that about forty percent of the fans are out of their seats and searching for souvenirs or food(or beer) after about 20 laps. Of course, most are back watching for the last 20 laps but I cannot say as much for the television viewer…the race is probably forgotten about at this point.

(4) TOO MANY COMMERCIALS DURING TELEVISION BROADCASTS: Isn’t racing one big commercial? Just look at the cars, the driver’s and pit crew’s uniforms…heck, the scroll at the top of your screen has a sponsor changing on screen every 10 minutes. Too many commercials=lack of interest. A better way, if all the commercials are necessary for ESPN, ABC, FOX etc. to break even, why not have a split screen with the race broadcast continuously? In any case, the networks have to bring the race back to the fans and not show themselves as some greedy money machine.

(5) MORE FOCUS ON THE LOWER TIER DRIVERS DURING BROADCASTS: Every driver in racing is important. Even if the chances of winning are slim for some, every driver WANTS to win and improve every week. One driver that has a season under his(or her) belt is a year of experience and growth mentally and technologically for the the driver and team. We, as race fans, need to see a part of each racer and their strategies(and pit stops) throughout a race. Watching Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the majority of the broadcast does not allow the fan to fully appreciate the drama that is racing. I’d like to know how fast Kyle Petty is going, how many laps Bobby Labonte is down, if Mark Martin’s car is running well or having problems.

I feel that the networks see a lot of these drivers as background scenery, to use a movie analogy. By leaving these drivers in the dust and focusing only on drivers with a high Q rating, the networks are only reinforcing the fact that the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit is dominated and ran by the elite.

Let’s hope that the people of NASCAR do not turn this amazing sport into Formula 1 and alienate a sector of fans…I want to LOVE NASCAR again…not just like it!

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What is NASCAR? It stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. They are a sanctioning body that evaluates the various stock car racing in the US. NASCAR is one of the most popular sports today in the US. One of the reasons why its popularity boomed is because of media exposure. The top three racing series the association sanctions are the Craftsman Truck Series, Nationwide Series, and Sprint Cup.
The sport has also made celebrities out of their car drivers. Among the most famous riders NASCAR has is Dale Earnhardt Jr. He started his car-racing career at the young age of 17. Now he races in the Sprint Cup Series. His father conquered this same series in his years. For five consecutive years, he received the NASCAR Most Popular Driver award from 2003 to 2007. Fans are responsible for choosing the recipient for this award.
You can say that racing is in the blood of Earnhardt Jr. He has close relatives who are also driving other racing series. Others have business related to NASCAR. One of the most noted Earnhardt is Ralph, his grandfather. He started a long lineage of car racers in his family.
Ralph Earnhardt is a legend in the sport. He won his only NASCAR Sportsmanship Award in 1956. However, various groups in the industry have recognized his contributions. National Motorsports Press Association inducted him to the Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1997, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame did the same. The Oceanside Rotary Club of Daytona Beach Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame inducted him in 2004. Finally, in 2007, National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inducted him.
Dale’s father, Ralph’s son also became a racecar driver. Ralph wanted his son to take on a different path. However, Dale Sr. was determined to follow into his father’s footsteps. He dropped out from school and pursued his dream.
He became successful in the Winston Cup Series, now known as the Sprint Cup. In 1979, he became the Rookie of the Year for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He became a champion in the series for seven years. The Motorsports Hall of Fame inducted him in 2002. In addition, the International Motorsports hall of Fame inducted him in 2006.
It was evident that someone from his kids would assume his role. As it turned out, he did not only influence Dale Earnhardt Jr. but his other oldest son Kerry Dale as well. Although Kerry did not spend a lot of time with his father while he was growing up, he ended up doing the sport his father loved. Racing is probably strong in Earnhardt blood, because his son, Jeffrey, also began racing in 2007.
Jeffrey Earnhardt was impressive at Wythe Raceway, Hornet Division. Here, he won the Rookie of the Year award. He also made it to the General Motors’ search for the next best thing in the car-racing field. In 2007, he competed in the Busch East Series where he placed fifth. By the end of the season, he won the Most Popular Driver award.

From it’s humble roots in the South, NASCAR racing has grown to almost unbelievable popularity across the entire nation in recent years. From the first races run in 1948 to the current NEXTEL Cup and Busch series, NASCAR has become arguably the number one spectator sport in America, boasting 75 million loyal fans. And, interestingly, 40% of those are women and 53% work in white-collar or skilled labor jobs. The numbers continue to be impressive; annual attendance at races is over 7 million and upwards of 275 million Americans watch on television.

Those who follow the circuit attribute several factors to its’ success. One of those is a formula that no other spectator sport matches. Week in and week out, the best teams (drivers) are competing head to head against each other. Unlike, for instance the NFL, where you may have to wait weeks for that big matchup, you can watch number 1 versus number 2 every week. It’s almost like having the Super Bowl of this sport every week.

Years of tradition and a grass roots beginning are also given credit for the sport’s popularity. The origins of the sport in the “bootlegging” days and the humble background of many of it’s initial stars seems to be attractive to fans in this day of the spoiled, pampered, arrogant professional athlete.

All of this has led to big business. From television revenues to licensed merchandise sales, NASCAR is big business today. NASCAR merchandise sales now have exploded to exceed $ 2 billion annually and the markets continue to remain strong.

Race fans seem to have a huge appetite for merchandise that shows support for their favorite driver, whether it is by wearing NASCAR apparel, buying accessories for their car or truck, or even decorating their home. NASCAR wall clocks, desk clocks, even throw blankets, sheets and wall tapestries are showing up in homes everywhere.

Within this huge market, strong sub markets appear. NASCAR collectibles have become big just by themselves. A variety of items from plaques and autographed pictures to diecast cars are snatched up, partly due to popularity, but also in hopes of appreciation in value for the collectibles market.

While the NASCAR diecast part of the market has softened recently, it is still respectable in strength. As drivers change their paint schemes, it allows manufacturers to expand the products several times over in this niche and that helps keep sales moving.

Apparel such as NASCAR jackets, jerseys, t-shirts, etc appear to be growing in popularity as manufacturers roll out expanded products and are even including more high end items like leather jackets and specialty items like jewelry. The true fanatic can even outfit the entire family with recent introductions of complete NASCAR kids clothing and youth lines.

Where will it all end? I don’t believe we know, but when I see corporate secretaries wearing NASCAR hats and white collar managers wearing NASCAR shirts with pictures of “Junior” plastered on them, I question if there is a limit to this market.

Do you have a man who is a NASCAR fan? NASCAR gifts are loved by men. Whether that gift is intended to be a Father’s Day present, a birthday present, or a just because you want to show him how much you love him. He probably already has a Nascar hat and a Nascar t-shirt. If you would like to purchase unique NASCAR gifts for your father, husband or friend, checkout some of these great NASCAR gifts for men.
With spring and summer quickly approaching, racing themed barbeque tool sets make great gifts for men. Get a barbeque tool set with you man’s favorite driver’s number printed on the handles. These specialty racing themed barbeque tool sets often come with matching storage cases or bags. These NASCAR grill tool sets are great, but affordable, gifts for men who like to grill outside.
Did you know that they make NASCAR patio sets? Yes they do. An outdoor patio set with a racing theme is a great, yet unique NASCAR gift idea. Now these aren’t real cheap so this is probably more suited for a very close family member, husband or dad. Make sure that the racing patio set has your loved one’s favorite nascar driver on the seats and table. Some have the names of the drivers and some have the nascar driver’s number. A NASCAR patio set will allow your nascar fan to barbeque in style on race days.
Companies also make racing themed canopy sets. These canopy sets are also really awesome gift ideas for men who love NASCAR. And, you will have to look long and hard to find someone else who has a race car canopy set.
What goes hand and hand with watching a race? That’s right beer or another cold beverage. You man would love to have a NASCAR compact refrigerator with is favorite driver on it. I would love to have a Jeff Gordon compact refrigerator or may a Dale Jr refrigerator. These compact refrigerators would look great in your game room or a dormroom.
If you are looking for a NASCAR gift for a child, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary school aged children love NASCAR diecast cars. NASCAR diecast cars make very affordable gifts. In fact, most grown men that I know love racing diecast cars. My son and I play racing all the time with diecast cars. He always plays with his Jeff Gordon diecast car and I play with my Tony Steweart diecast car. He won’t let me play with the Jeff Gordon diecast car.
I hope that these gift ideas help you to pick out the perfect NASCAR gifts for men.