NASCAR Cup Series facts for kids
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| Category | Stock cars |
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| Country | United States |
| Inaugural season | 1949 |
| Manufacturers | Chevrolet · Ford · Toyota |
| Engine suppliers | Chevrolet · Ford · Toyota |
| Tire suppliers | Goodyear |
| Drivers' champion | Kyle Larson |
| Makes' champion | Chevrolet |
| Teams' champion | Hendrick Motorsports |
 Current season |
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The NASCAR Cup Series is the top level of stock car racing in the United States. It's run by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. This series is known for its exciting races and powerful cars.
The series started in 1949 as the "Strictly Stock Division." Later, it was called the "Grand National Division" until 1970. Over the years, the series changed its name several times due to different sponsors. It was known as the Winston Cup Series (1971–2003), then the Nextel Cup Series (2004–2007), and the Sprint Cup Series (2008–2016). From 2017 to 2019, it was the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Since 2020, it has been known simply as the NASCAR Cup Series. Now, it has several "Premier Partners" like Busch Beer, Coca-Cola, Xfinity, and Freeway Insurance.
Drivers compete for a championship title using a points system. Points are given based on where a driver finishes in a race and how many laps they lead. The season is split into two parts. After the first 26 races, the top 16 drivers, mostly chosen by how many races they've won, enter a special playoff. This playoff, called the NASCAR Playoffs, lasts for the final ten races. Here, points differences are much smaller, making the championship race very exciting.
Many races are held in the Southeastern United States, which is where NASCAR began. However, as of 2026, the schedule includes tracks all over the country. Some exhibition races have even been held in other countries like Japan and Australia. The Daytona 500 is the most famous race, watched by millions of people.
NASCAR Cup Series cars are special racing machines. They have powerful engines that can go over 200 mph (320 km/h)! These cars are built to strict rules to make sure all teams have a fair chance. Their bodies and frames are carefully designed for safety and performance.
Contents
- The Exciting History of NASCAR Cup Racing
- Championship Titles
- NASCAR Cup Cars
- Evolution of Cup Cars
- Generation 1 (1948–1964): Stock Cars
- Generation 2 (1965–1980): Mid-Size and Aero Warriors
- Generation 3 (1981–1991): Downsizing and Restrictor Plates
- Generation 4 (1992–2007): Specialized Racers
- Car of Tomorrow (2007–2012): Safety and Equality
- Generation 6 Car (2013–2021): Closer to Street Cars
- Next Gen (2022–Present): The Future of Racing
- Car Setup and Adjustments
- Evolution of Cup Cars
- NASCAR Cup Tracks
- See also
The Exciting History of NASCAR Cup Racing
Early Days: Strictly Stock and Grand National (1949-1970)
NASCAR started its top series in 1949. It was called the "Strictly Stock" division. This meant the cars were almost exactly like those you could buy from a dealership! The first race was at Charlotte Speedway on June 19, 1949. Red Byron became the first champion.
In 1950, the series changed its name to the "Grand National Division." This name showed that NASCAR wanted the sport to become more professional. In the early days, many races were held on dirt tracks. Over time, more paved tracks and large "superspeedways" were built. The last Grand National race on a dirt track for many years was in 1970.
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The Winston Cup Era (1971-2003)
From 1971 to 2003, a company called R. J. Reynolds sponsored the series. It was then known as the Winston Cup Series. This period is often called NASCAR's "modern era." The race schedule became shorter, and the points system changed to make every race important.
Bill France Sr., who founded NASCAR, passed control to his son, Bill France Jr.. A new points system was created in 1975. This system made sure that top drivers had to compete in all races to win the championship.
The Daytona 500 became the first big race of the year starting in 1982. In 1979, the Daytona 500 was the first stock car race shown live on national TV from start to finish. It was a very dramatic race with a last-lap crash and a fight afterward, which helped make NASCAR more popular.
NASCAR's popularity grew a lot in the 1990s. In 1994, the first Brickyard 400 was held at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Nextel and Sprint Cup (2004-2016)
After 2003, a telecommunications company called Nextel became the new sponsor. The series was renamed the Nextel Cup Series in 2004. Later, after Nextel merged with Sprint, the series became the Sprint Cup Series in 2008.
The Chase for the Cup: Playoff Excitement
Along with the new sponsors, a new playoff system was introduced in 2004. It was called the "Chase for the Nextel Cup" (later "Chase for the Sprint Cup"). This system made the end of the season more exciting. The top drivers would compete in the final ten races for the championship.
The "Chase" system changed over the years. From 2004 to 2006, drivers were ranked based on their points. From 2007 to 2010, their points were reset to a high number, plus bonus points for wins. In 2011, the system changed again, with more drivers qualifying and different point resets.
In 2014, NASCAR made big changes to the Chase format. It became the "NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Grid." Up to 16 drivers qualified, mostly by winning races. The Chase was divided into four rounds. After each of the first three rounds, four drivers with the fewest points were eliminated. Any driver who won a race in these rounds automatically moved on. The final four drivers competed in the last race for the championship title.
Monster Energy Cup Series (2017-2019)
After the 2016 season, Monster Energy became the new sponsor. The series was renamed the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. This change brought a new logo and a new trophy.
In 2017, "stage racing" was introduced. Races were broken into stages, usually three. The top 10 finishers in the first two stages earned bonus championship points. The winner of a stage also received an extra point for the playoffs. This made every part of the race more competitive.
NASCAR Cup Series (2020-Present)
Starting in 2020, NASCAR's top series became known simply as the NASCAR Cup Series. It now has several "Premier Partners" instead of one main sponsor. These partners include Busch Beer, Coca-Cola, Xfinity, and Freeway Insurance (joining in 2026).
In 2024, GEICO left as a premier partner. For 2025, NASCAR had three premier partners. Freeway Insurance became a premier partner in 2026. The championship trophy was renamed the Bill France Cup.
Championship Titles
Drivers' Championship
The NASCAR Cup Series Drivers' Championship is given to the driver who performs best throughout the season. This is decided by a points system based on race results and wins. Red Byron won the first championship in 1949.
So far, 32 different drivers have won the championship. Herb Thomas was the first to win multiple titles. The record for most championships, seven, is shared by Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie Johnson holds the record for winning five championships in a row, from 2006 to 2010. All champions have been from the United States.
Owners' Championship
The Owners' Championship works similarly to the Drivers' Championship. However, points are awarded to each individual car, not just the driver. If a team has more than one car, each car earns points separately.
This championship is important because the top teams in owner points are guaranteed a spot in future races. This helps teams plan their seasons.
Manufacturers' Championship
A Manufacturer's Championship is also awarded each year. This title goes to the car brand (like Chevrolet, Ford, or Toyota) that performs best. While the Driver's Championship is more famous, the Manufacturer's Championship shows which car company builds the strongest racing machines.
In the past, many different car companies competed. Today, Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota are the main competitors. Chevrolet has been the most successful manufacturer, with the most race wins and championships.
NASCAR Cup Cars
Cup Series cars are specially built racing vehicles. They have a front engine and rear-wheel-drive. A strong roll cage acts as the car's frame, covered by a lightweight metal body. These cars have a closed cockpit, fenders, a rear spoiler, and a front splitter for aerodynamics.
Teams can build their own cars and engines following NASCAR's rules. The engines are powerful V8s, limited to about 5.8 liters. They can produce over 850 horsepower! Modern Cup engines can run at very high RPMs for hundreds of miles.
The cars have advanced suspension systems. Since 2022, the "Next Gen" car uses fully independent front and rear suspensions. Brakes are made of cast iron or steel. Aerodynamic parts like the front splitter and spoiler help the car stick to the track. While these cars can reach speeds of 200 mph (320 km/h), modified versions have gone even faster.
Cup cars use an electronic control unit (ECU) to manage the engine. However, driver aids like traction control and anti-lock brakes are not allowed. For races on road courses, cars must have at least one working windshield wiper.
Evolution of Cup Cars
Generation 1 (1948–1964): Stock Cars
When the series began, cars were truly "stock." They were production vehicles with very few changes. Drivers even raced with factory seats and radios! Windows were rolled down, and lights were taped over for safety. The 1957 Chevrolet "black widow" was so fast it was eventually banned.
Generation 2 (1965–1980): Mid-Size and Aero Warriors
In 1965, cars started to use modified frames. Mid-size cars like the Ford Fairlane became popular. NASCAR had rules that required a certain number of these cars to be sold to the public. Eventually, special cars were built just for racing, like the Ford Torino Talladega and the Dodge Charger Daytona. These cars had unique shapes and large rear wings to go faster, reaching speeds of 200 mph (320 km/h).
Generation 3 (1981–1991): Downsizing and Restrictor Plates
American cars became smaller in the late 1970s. NASCAR adjusted its rules to allow these newer, smaller models to race. The wheelbase requirement was reduced to 110 inches (2,800 mm). Cars like the Buick Regal and Ford Thunderbird became very aerodynamic.
In 1987, Bill Elliott set a stock-car speed record of 212.809 mph (342 km/h) at Talladega. After a serious crash, NASCAR introduced "restrictor plates" at the fastest tracks. These plates limited engine power to reduce speeds and improve safety.
Generation 4 (1992–2007): Specialized Racers
The Generation 4 car moved further away from "stock" production cars. Steel bumpers were replaced with fiberglass to save weight. In 1994, "roof flaps" were added to all cars. These flaps pop up if a car spins backward, helping to keep it on the ground.
Cars like the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Ford Taurus were designed specifically for racing. While they shared names with street cars, their shapes were heavily modified. NASCAR sometimes changed rules during a season if one car model became too dominant.
Car of Tomorrow (2007–2012): Safety and Equality
In 2007, NASCAR introduced the "Car of Tomorrow" (CoT). This new car focused on making racing safer, more equal, and less expensive for teams. The CoT was wider and taller, and the driver's seat was moved closer to the center for better protection.
A big change was the addition of a rear wing instead of the traditional spoiler. This wing could be adjusted. The CoT rules made sure all cars looked very similar, no matter the manufacturer. In 2010, the wing was replaced with the original spoiler design. In 2012, NASCAR also switched to fuel injection technology for engines.
Generation 6 Car (2013–2021): Closer to Street Cars
In 2013, NASCAR allowed manufacturers more freedom to make their Cup Series cars look like their street versions. This created the Generation 6 race car. The goal was for fans to recognize the cars they see on the road.
By 2016, all Cup Series cars started using a digital dashboard. This dash allowed drivers to see lots of information, like lap times and engine health, on customizable screens. As sedans became less popular, pony cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang returned to the Cup Series.
Next Gen (2022–Present): The Future of Racing
In 2022, NASCAR introduced the "Next Gen" car. This is the seventh generation of Cup Series cars. It features improved aero and downforce designs. It also brought new technologies to the track, like center lock wheels and rear diffusers, which are common in other types of racing.
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The Next Gen car aims to lower costs for teams and attract new car manufacturers to the sport. In 2023, a special Next Gen Camaro even competed in the famous 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France!
Car Setup and Adjustments
Teams carefully adjust a car's suspension, brakes, and aerodynamic parts for each racetrack. A car that "pushes" or is "tight" wants to go straight when turning left. A car that is "loose" or "free" means the back end slides around. Drivers and teams work to find the perfect balance.
Adjustments include changing the front and rear downforce, spring rates, and tire pressure. Even using tires of slightly different sizes (called "stagger") can change how a car handles. These settings are crucial for speed and control.
Weather also affects how a car handles. On oval tracks, rain usually stops the race immediately. However, NASCAR now has special rain tires for road courses. The first time rain tires were used in a Cup Series race was in 2020 and 2021.
NASCAR Cup Tracks
NASCAR Cup Series races are held on many different types of tracks. Most are in the eastern United States, but some are located west of the Mississippi River. The 2025 season included 30 races on oval tracks and 6 on road courses.
Oval tracks vary greatly in length, from .526 miles (0.847 km) at Martinsville Speedway to 2.66 miles (4.28 km) at Talladega Superspeedway. Most are paved with asphalt, but some use concrete. While NASCAR used to race on dirt tracks, it stopped for over 50 years. Dirt racing returned to the schedule in 2021 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Many tracks are "tri-ovals," which have a unique shape. Others, like Darlington Raceway, have an uneven "egg" shape. Pocono Raceway is triangular, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a rectangle.
While most NASCAR races are run counter-clockwise on ovals, Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International are road courses where cars race clockwise. The series has raced on road courses every year since 1963.
Tracks also have different amounts of "banking" in the corners. Banking is how much the track slopes. New Hampshire Motor Speedway has very flat corners, while Talladega Superspeedway has steep 33-degree banking.
Race speeds depend a lot on the track. Talladega Superspeedway is the fastest, with a record average speed of 188.354 mph (303.126 km/h). Bill Elliott set the qualifying record there in 1987 at 212.809 mph (342.483 km/h). To keep speeds safe, NASCAR now uses tapered spacers to reduce horsepower at superspeedways.
The slowest tracks are Sonoma Raceway, a road course, and Martinsville Speedway, a short oval. Their average race speeds are much lower, around 80 mph (130 km/h).
See also
In Spanish: NASCAR Cup Series para niños
- List of all-time NASCAR Cup Series winners
- List of NASCAR Cup Series champions
- List of NASCAR tracks
- List of NASCAR teams
- NASCAR Xfinity Series
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
- NASCAR rules and regulations
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