Why race cars in NASCAR are called stock cars? All you need to know

NASCAR, which stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, was established in 1947. Its goal was to create consistent rules for stock car racing and crown national champions for the same. Over the years, NASCAR has become the top governing body for professional stock car racing and oversees popular racing series like the NASCAR Cup Series.

Stock car racing began with drivers using production cars straight from dealerships. These cars were "stock," which meant they were unmodified and in their factory condition. In the 1920s, moonshine runners in the southern United States modified their cars for speed and durability to run from the authorities. This is what later became an organized racing event in the 1930s, with drivers racing to compete on dirt tracks.

The name "stock car" comes from those early days when race cars were actual production vehicles sold to the public. NASCAR’s original rules required cars to be built entirely from parts available to the regular people. These stock cars were expected to resemble the ones anyone could buy from a showroom. The cars used in NASCAR now are no longer “Stock” within the traditional meaning of the word but looking at where they started, the name is still used because of its history.

Over time, NASCAR cars became more specialized. By the 1950s, manufacturers started building performance-focused designs. NASCAR introduced homologation rules, which required manufacturers to sell 500 to 1,000 units of a model to make it eligible for racing. Today, "stock cars" are purpose-built racing machines that only look like a stock car from the outside. These cars now feature custom-made frames, engines, and aerodynamics.

Today’s cars are advanced racing machines. The frames are made from steel tubing to protect the driver, while the body panels are hand-shaped from sheet metal. These cars have engines producing over 750 horsepower and can reach a speed of more than 200 mph. Even though they go by their "stock" name, every element, from tires to engines, is now custom-made for safety, and performance, and to ensure compliance with NASCAR rules.

---

More About NASCAR and Stock Cars

A NASCAR car is made from sheet metal and takes about 10 days to complete. Special features like collapsible front and rear clips are there to reduce the crash impact by directing the force away from the driver.

NASCAR teams mainly build two types of cars:

• Short-Track Cars: For maximum grip and cooling during tight turns.
• Super-Speedway Cars: For high speeds with a focus on reducing drag. These cars use restrictor plates to limit engine power and maintain safety.

Engines in these cars produce over 750 horsepower. They are custom-built with advanced technology like tuned exhaust systems and high-intensity ignition. NASCAR tires are treadless for better contact with the track and are designed to handle extreme heat.

Along with that, NASCAR also hosts different racing series, and each of these uses different types of cars:

• Cup Series: The top-tier series, includes Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and Toyota Camry models.
• Xfinity Series: Second-tier cars, different in design from the Cup Series.
• Truck Series: Purpose-built trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150.
• Modified and Late Model Stock Cars: Used in regional races.

Although NASCAR’s origin has been from the United States, stock car racing is now popular in other countries like Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Europe. Each region has its own variations of the sport, such as AUSCAR in Australia and NASCAR-sanctioned touring series in Europe.