I hear this term ( Modern Era ) used a lot! But don't know when it started or what change or changes triggered it!
What Year?
2007-11-03 05:06:19 · 11 answers · asked by Working Man 6 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
...1971 is often acknowledged as the beginning of NASCAR's "modern era"
Beginning of the modern era
...NASCAR made major changes in its structure in the early 1970s. The top series found sponsorship from R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR). Tobacco companies, which had been banned from television advertising, found a popular and demographically suitable consumer base in NASCAR fans and engaged NASCAR as a promotional outlet. As a result of that sponsorship, the top competitive series became known as The "Winston Cup" starting in 1971, with a new points system and some significant cash benefits to compete for championship points. Also in 1971, the NASCAR season was shortened from 48 races to 31. For these reasons, 1971 is often acknowledged as the beginning of NASCAR's "modern era".
2007-11-03 19:51:04 · answer #1 · answered by Tina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, modern era is when Winston came aboard. The series went from being the Grand National Division, to the Winston Cup circuit. That's when they adapted the new points system (which is similar to today's system, minus the chase), and had a consistent schedule from year to year.
They used to run as many as 62 races in a season, some were 100 laps at a dirt track. This is how Richard Petty was able to rack up 200 wins, and that's why nobody will ever beat his record. They use this term because it's hard to compare numbers from those days, it's not apples to apples.
2007-11-03 05:46:32 · answer #2 · answered by Crazy Ant 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Modern Era began in 1972. The number of races on the NASCAR schedule were all over the map. That year, the schedule went from 48 to 31.That was also the year Bill France Jr. took the reins from Bill France Sr.
2007-11-03 06:18:20 · answer #3 · answered by Jim M 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
NASCAR looks at a lot of aspects and each and every race venue is diverse. some tracks have lights fixtures, others do not. lots of the flat tracks take a lengthy time period to dry because they proceed to "weep". NASCAR also looks on the day of the week. A rain in the back of agenda Saturday afternoon race at a song without lights fixtures will in all probability be postponed till the subsequent day as a operating example.
2016-10-23 08:02:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Riverside, January 1972
2007-11-03 09:17:55 · answer #5 · answered by ALL-MAN 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good answers. I will add that the 1972 season was the first year without dirt tracks on the Cup schedule.
2007-11-03 07:03:11 · answer #6 · answered by jgrevinjim 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yep, 1972 it all started then..not going to say it all was good..but Nascar started growing big time, lots of changes, again not going to say it all was good.
2007-11-03 16:33:58 · answer #7 · answered by Go Team Penske 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Beginning of the 1972 Season!!!!
2007-11-03 07:36:45 · answer #8 · answered by Ed P 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, good ole 1971--72. What a time.
2007-11-03 21:13:35 · answer #9 · answered by Step into the Freezer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1971 I believe it was when Winston started sponsoring the series.
2007-11-03 05:09:36 · answer #10 · answered by John D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋