Curious about the NASCAR Cup Series? Learn about the parts and pieces of the top tier of stock car racing in North America in this 101 video.
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00:00 What is NASCAR?
00:02 The NASCAR Cup Series is the pinnacle of motorsports in America.
00:05 36 drivers competing door-to-door for 36 weeks in the lead-up to crown a champion.
00:11 But there is a lot more to learn.
00:13 Let's dive in.
00:15 The field of cars at a NASCAR Cup event is comprised of 36 charter teams.
00:20 Those teams are made up of drivers, spotters, crew chiefs, pit crew, and the staff back at the race shops.
00:27 Our drivers are athletes competing weekly for hours on end in extreme temperatures to get their car to the finish line.
00:35 Spotters are the eyes in the sky, letting drivers know what's happening with other cars around them.
00:40 The crew chief is like the coach, strategizing and drawing up plays for the pit crew to execute on pit stops.
00:47 The pit crew fuels the car, services the driver, and changes tires faster than you can tie your shoes.
00:53 And lastly, the crew at the shop that builds these incredible race cars, preparing them for hundreds of miles of competition each weekend.
01:02 That brings us to the car.
01:04 NASCAR's next-gen race car debuted in 2022.
01:08 It showcases the cutting edge of stock car racing technology.
01:12 Built to resemble their street counterparts, these cars include 18-inch wheels, a sequential gearbox, and independent rear suspension.
01:20 Now let's talk racetracks.
01:23 NASCAR has a 36-race season.
01:26 26 of those races make up the regular season, leading into a 10-race elimination-style playoff.
01:32 The regular season kicks off with stock car racing's biggest event, the Daytona 500.
01:38 Fans from around the globe flock to Daytona's campgrounds, hotels, and grandstands to get a glimpse of the great American race.
01:47 The family-friendly experience fans get at Daytona can be felt throughout the season,
01:52 as NASCAR's tailgate culture, unprecedented access to the drivers, and guaranteed good times travel weekly with the circuit.
02:00 And if you can't be there in person, you can catch all the action with NASCAR's exclusive broadcast partners.
02:07 The regular season then bounces all over the United States,
02:11 from the West Coast in Phoenix and Las Vegas, all the way back east to historic sites like Martinsville, Bristol, and Darlington.
02:19 Race #26 is the regular season finale, the final race before NASCAR's 10-race playoff,
02:26 proving to be the last chance for drivers to lock into the 16-driver playoff field.
02:31 Once the field of 16 is set, drivers make their way through three 3-race rounds,
02:36 eliminating four drivers at the end of each round.
02:39 The final four drivers find themselves in a winner-take-all championship race, where the season's champion will be crowned.
02:46 Looking to learn more about NASCAR drivers, teams, and tracks? Visit nascar.com/101 today.