NASCAR began in the late 1940’s with a modest race on Daytona Beach with little fanfare. During the decades that followed, interest in the sport of stock car racing grew well beyond its regional boundaries as it began to penetrate mainstream America. Today, NASCAR stands as one of the country’s biggest sports leagues with television audiences exceed only by the NFL.
So just how big has NASCAR become after all these years? Here are the more interesting NASCAR statistics and fun facts I was able to dig up. As always, I will be adding more and updating these periodically as I find new stuff. Be sure to check back regularly.
NASCAR Facts
- Year NASCAR was founded: 1948
- Location of first NASCAR race: Daytona Beach
- Winner of first NASCAR race: Red Byron
- First NASCAR Champion: Red Byron
- Year of first Daytona 500: 1959
NASCAR Statistics
Number of races NASCAR sanctions:
Last updated 3/20/16
Number of US states/countries NASCAR has sanctioned races in:
Last updated 3/20/16
Amount NASCAR is reportedly seeking to be title sponsor of their Cup Series:
Last updated 3/3/15
Amount Nextel paid NASCAR in 2004 to be title sponsor of their Cup Series:
Number of television viewers NASCAR drew in 2003:
Number of television viewers NASCAR drew in 2014:
Highest-paid NASCAR driver of 2015:
Dale Earnhardt Jr (est $23.5 million)
Highest-valued NASCAR team of 2016:
Hendrick Motorsports (est $375 million value)
Richest NASCAR driver of All-Time:
Last updated 7/10/14
Amount NASCAR spent on tires in 2015:
NASCAR driver with the most career starts:
NASCAR driver with the most wins:
NASCAR driver with most last place finishes:
Last updated 11/15/15
Percentage of sponsor money that accounts for a NASCAR team’s revenue:
Last updated 10/8/15
Value of the current 10-year NBC/Fox/NASCAR TV deal:
Last updated 2/19/16