NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Often referred to as the Sprint Cup or the Cup Series. The top racing series of NASCAR, it was formerly known as the Strictly Stock Series and Grand National Series. The Sprint Cup Series was known as the Winston Cup Series when While R.R. Reynolds Tobacco Company was leasing the naming rights and when Sprint NEXTEL Corporation leased the name it became the NEXTEL Cup Series. The Sprint Cup Series is often incorrectly referred to as simply NASCAR.
Sprint Cup Series Name History
- Strictly Stock Series - 1949
- Grand National Series - 1950-1970
- Winston Cup Series - 1971-2003
- NEXTEL Cup Series - 2004-2007
The drivers' champion is determined by a point system where points are given according to finishing placement and laps led. The season is divided into two segments. After the first 26 races, the 12 highest ranked drivers are seeded based on their total number of wins. They compete in the last 10 races with the difference in points greatly equalized. This is called the Chase for the Championship.
With strong roots in the Southeastern United States, the Sprint Cup Series has grown to become one of the six most popular professional sports leagues of the United States.
Sprint Cup Series cars are unique in automobile racing. The engines are powerful enough to reach speeds over 200 mph (320 km/h), but high weight makes for poor handling. Their bodies and chassis are strictly regulated to ensure parity, and electronics are generally spartan in nature.
Sprint Cup Series:
Category: Stock car racing
Country or region: United States
Inaugural season: 1949
Drivers: 49
Teams: 22
Engine suppliers: Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Toyota
Last Drivers' champion: Jimmie Johnson
Last Teams' champion: Hendrick Motorsports
Last Makes' champion: Chevrolet
Official website: NASCAR.com
Source: Wikipedia, NASCAR
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