Flathead Racing
From Moonshine to Millionaires – An Oral History of NASCAR
The history of NASCAR not unlike the history of the United States: a beautiful story bereft with turbulence, defiance and perseverance. During alcohol prohibition, moonshiners operating near the southern border of Texas would soup up their cars in order to outrun the local law enforcement. Federal Tax Agents would always be on the prowl to pick up a moonshine deliverer so the race was always on. Even after the fall of Prohibition the moonshine trade continue to prosper in rural area.
Moonshine is a type of whiskey that is distilled from corn and potatoes among other things, and since it was home-brewed it was difficult to distinguish its source. Over the generations the moonshiners continuously upgraded their delivery vehicles and continued outrunning the law. Naturally it became standard for moonshiners start bragging and talking smack. Out of this came informal races that the moonshiners would hold to determine which runner was the fastest; not only was this new sport about having the fastest car but also about outsmarting and outdriving all the competition which included the law.
After World War II these races became more organized, yet hardly anyone began calling it an organized sport until the arrival of Big Bill France on the scene.
Big Bill France organized the first meetings for all of the drivers, mechanics and owners to confirm a set of standard rules for racing. These meetings gave birth to the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The first official NASCAR race was held at Daytona Beach on February 15, 1948. Red Byron was the winner of this inaugural race in his Ford Flathead V8 on the hard-packed sands of the Atlantic Ocean. This was long before the famed Daytona tri-oval that is the Mecca of the sport today.
No more than a week later NASCAR became incorporated and Big Bill was appointed its first commissioner. By the late 1950’s NASCAR was already on its way to becoming Americas largest spectator sport. Throughout the years NASCAR has seen its share of amazing races, clashing competitors and close calls.
In 1992 when Richard Petty retired as a driver NASCAR made a transition from the old school drivers to the new school. Drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart have brought a whole new art to racing NASCAR. From old-time moonshine runners to well spoken race car drivers, NASCAR has come a long way. From viewing the sport in present time one would never think that its origins came from an illegal collaboration of old school whiskey making countrymen.
Don’t go looking for moonshine mechanics to help you fix your ride these days. Trust the professional Factory Certified Honda Service Houston Team at Russell & Smith Honda for all your repairs, upgrades, and OEM Honda Parts Houston.
About the Author
“sara”
Harley davidson flathead racing
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1956 DeSoto Indy Pace- flathead- 1955 Olds- drag racing $5.99 |
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Kart Racing Parts for Briggs Flathead Engines $27.50 |
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Ratrod shirt lot Flathead Speed shop racing V8 new tool $34.90 |
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Flathead Ford V8-60 Marine RACING Oil Pump Hot Rod Rat $53.00 |
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Flathead Ford Edelbrock 2×2 intake No Reserve!!!! scta $134.98 |
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harley sportster flathead panhead wr wlr racing magneto $20.50 |
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CHROME FLATHEAD REAR ROTOR BOLTS TAPERED 3/8 HARLEYS $7.00 |
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1932/1953 FLATHEAD FORD EDMUNDS RACING MANIFOLD 2X2 $154.48 |
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go kart racing loop header for flathead briggs engine $7.50 |
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Flathead 1932 Ford not Edelbrock Aluminum intake scta $11.00 |
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Go kart racing 5 hp Briggs & Stratton flathead engine $240.00 |
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Daytona Decal Rat Rod Hot Flathead Ford 1950s racing $4.99 |
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Ford Times Feb/50 Mercury Flathead Speedboat Racing $7.50 |
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Go Kart Racing Air Filter System – Animal & Flathead $69.95 |
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CHROME FLATHEAD REAR ROTOR BOLTS TAPERED 3/8 HARLEYS $7.00 |
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flathead– firestone 5.00 – 16 racing tires $375.00 |
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CHROME FLATHEAD REAR ROTOR BOLTS TAPERED 3/8 HARLEYS $7.00 |
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25 HP Briggs Flathead Open Class Racing Engine $1,100.00 |
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flathead– firestone 5.00 – 16 racing tires $450.00 |
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CHROME FLATHEAD REAR ROTOR BOLTS TAPERED 3/8 HARLEYS $7.00 |
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John Bradley – Mr. Flathead Oldies Drag Racing T-Shirt $19.95 |
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Warren Go Kart Racing engine/ Briggs raptor $250.00 |
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EDS RACING PROD. FLATHEAD SCREWDRIVERS,HUDY,STRR,8IGHT $37.99 |
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GO KART RACING PISTON RING LAP TOOL RAPTOR FLATHEAD $19.95 |
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Ratrod shirt lot Flathead ford Speed shop racing hotrod $39.50 |
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CHASSIS ENGINEERING DIY 1932 FORD HOT ROD FLATHEAD RAT $21.95 |
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SOUPING THE STOCK ENGINE 1950 ED. 1932 FLATHEAD FORD V8 $14.95 |
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GO KART RACING BRIGGS ANIMAL FLATHEAD CARB COVER NEW $4.99 |
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RACING GO KART THROTTLE CLEVIS ANIMAL BRIGGS FLATHEAD $5.99 |
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RACING GO KART BRIGGS THROTTLE LINKAGE CLEVIS FLATHEAD $5.99 |
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History of drag racing- Harley Sportster- Ford flathead $5.99 |
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AUTOMOBILE RACING RAY KUNS DIRT MIDGET FLATHEAD 1947 $9.99 |
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New 1949-53 Flathead Ford V8 Isky 77-B Grind Camshaft $259.99 |
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2006 Legendary Flathead Ford Racing Poster $4.99 |
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1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk- Ford flathead- drag racing $5.99 |
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GO KART cart RACING RAPTOR FLATHEAD CAST TORQUE PLATE $32.95 |
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Ratrod shirt lot Flathead Speed shop racing V8 new tool $40.00 |
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FORD FLATHEAD BONNEVILLE RACING / STREET HEADS all yrs $895.00 |
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Apr 1973 Rod & Custom Garage Scene USA Racing Flathead $15.00 |