Motorsports
Motorsports have been around for nearly as long as motors have been inside cars. Two of the most famous racing circuits are NASCAR in the United States and the intercontinental open-wheel F1, though motorsports also include off-road rally-car racing, drag racing, and motorcycle racing.
NASCAR was founded in 1948, began contesting races in 1949, and held its first Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious and famous events in North American racing, in 1959. NASCAR contests Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series races across the United States. Star drivers such as Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Year founded: 1948
President: Steve Phelps
Winningest driver, races: Richard Petty (200)
Winningest driver, cup titles: Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Sr. (7)
Formula 1 started racing in 1950 and has since become the premier racing series in the world. F1 contests more than 20 races on five continents each year, with the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) serving as the governing body. Renowned drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Ayrton Senna starred on the F1 circuit.
Year founded: 1950
FIA President: Mohammed Ben Sulayem
Winningest driver, races: Lewis Hamilton
Winningest driver, championships: Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton (7)
Featured articles:
Read the latest news, rumors, and analysis on NASCAR and F1:
Defending champions Max Verstappen of Formula 1 and Kyle Larson of NASCAR are both having a rough go of it early in the 2022 racing season.
Two-time season champion Kyle Busch is intensely disliked by some NASCAR Cup Series fans, but Xfinity Series star Ty Gibbs is rapidly becoming an even bigger villain.
Denny Hamlin tore into the 23XI Racing crew after Richmond, then Kurt Busch stepped in to boost morale and rally at Martinsville.
Sam Mayer was hilariously inspired by Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin following an altercation with JGR driver Ty Gibbs at Martinsville.
AJ Allmendinger spoke about aggressive driving before Friday’s Xfinity Series race, and it was a factor in a late incident involving Ty Gibbs.
Martinsville Speedway has shortened its spring NASCAR Cup Series race to 400 laps to accommodate an evening start and get spectators home at a reasonable hour.
Austin Cindric went into a month-long swoon after winning the Daytona 500. Martinsville is a chance to get back into sync.
Kevin Harvick drives just fine on the other half-mile NASCAR track, but Martinsville remains a mystery to him.
Ty Gibbs has already picked up several NASCAR victories, but there’s some controversy surrounding them.
Brad Keselowski lost his appeal and likely all hope for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season on Thursday, adding to the feeling that leaving Team Penske was a mistake.
