Why is it called "stock car racing" when there is nothing stock about the cars?

Question

I mean, they have to be modified to be safe and top out at 90 MPH+.

I agree John E, education is a dying virtue many of the people in my neck of the woods (Not any of my family members of course, duh) are sadly letting slip away.

By the way, Thank you all for your answers. I did notice that on a History Channel special stock car racing was like the modern day video games in Italy in the Good Ol' Days.

And the cars were in fact stock.

Answer 1

Well, when racing started in the mountains of Tennessee, thats all they had was stock cars. They were not made to race, they were normal cars. Once they started racing on the beaches in Daytona, again it was normal cars that were in stock and not cars made for racing. Now since they look sort of like normal cars and are named after regular cars

Answer 2

Stock cars are not the same as a car with stock parts. A stock car is an ordinary car that is modified for racing. Most modifications in NASCAR are to ensure safety, NASCAR's most important fundamental. A stock car is not built with stock parts, but the anatomy of a street car is very similar. On the other hand, F1 cars are built to go as fast as possible. Not in any way built off street cars.

Answer 3

You are correct about the current state of "stock car" racing. There is nothing stock about a stock car. However, it was not so in the beginning. The early racers brought what they had and hoped it was enough. They were the same cars you could buy off of the showroom floor. However, it is now much bigger and much more commercialized.

Answer 4

Back when NASCAR got started they brought their souped up street cars out to race them. Therefore, the name got put in. I agree that todays cars are not street model stock anymore but they have kept the name and the tradition.

Answer 5

the term "stock car"changed over the years from cars you could actually buy off the show room floor to the present.....stock car now refers toall the similar features of the cars....mostly the body and name.....also stock car refers to the parts on the car.....all of the parts are availble to the general public

Answer 6

Bill France started NASCAR to be stock. Even the first win was contraversial because of cheating

Answer 7

i know. i think NASCAR should go back to the 'strictly stock' rule!
i think president mike helton should have his a$$ kicked by some real big guy like bill goldberg

Answer 8

all the cars on the track are supposed to be stock as compared to each other.

Answer 9

They used to be stock.

Answer 10

When NASCAR first started, they were stock cars.

GO #8 & #6!!!!!!!!