nascar LaDDEr systEM
fIrst stEP: rEGIOnaL sErIEs sErVEs as GrassrOOts fOUnDatIOn
A network of nearly 60 race tracks across North America comprises the NASCAR Whe- len All-American Series – and provides the first step. NASCAR-sanctioned short track races are held on dirt and asphalt tracks of all shapes and sizes. A national championship is awarded, along with U.S. state and Canadian province championships, rookies of the year, and track championships.
In this locally-based series, many drivers race as a weekend hobby on their hometown tracks, while others move up the ladder. Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earn- hardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Travis Kvapil, Bobby Labonte, Jamie McMurray, and Elliott Sadler all began their careers in this se- ries. In 2011, NASCAR lowered the mini- mum age to 14 to run in all NASCAR Whelen All-American Series sanctioned tracks, further cementing the series status as the foundation for drivers looking to make their way up the NASCAR ladder. 2011 champion: Philip Morris
tHE nEXt LEVEL: tOUrInG sErIEs OffEr DrIVEr DEVELOPMEnt
• NASCAR K&N Pro Series, East and West • NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour • NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour For local short track competitors who as-
pire to reach NASCAR’s three national series – the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – NASCAR’s touring se- ries are the places to go. These regional se- ries compete on a variety of tracks, providing valuable experience for up-and- coming drivers, while providing special events for local fans.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series, which in- cludes the East and the West, is the top step in NASCAR’s developmental series before drivers make the jump to the three national series. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series race cars are similar to the cars used on the NASCAR Nationwide Series. For NASCAR K&N Pro Se- ries racers, new cost-saving technology makes this division a more cost-effective driver de- velopment program.
An optional “spec” engine was introduced in 2006. It is designed to be powerful and durable, yet is made from a precisely-speci- fied set of components that help to keep en- gine costs down. A composite body, molded
54 nascar canaDIan tIrE sErIEs
It takes a special blend of talent, ambition and perseverance to rise to the top levels in nascar racing
Paolo Pedicelli
from synthetic materials, is also available as an alternative to expensive sheet metal bod- ies. These items help teams control costs while providing them the opportunity to ad- vance from their hometown short tracks to the next level. In 2007, the minimum age for the touring series was lowered from 18 to 16, allowing for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series to become a proving ground for drivers signed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams to de- velopment deals. Many of today’s top drivers established their careers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, including Trevor Bayne, Austin Dillon, Ricky Carmichael, Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday Jr., Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Truex, Cole Witt and others. It’s a feeder system for NASCAR’s three national series. 2010 Champions: Max Gresham
(NASCAR K&N Pro Series East) and Greg Pursley (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West)
Along with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, two open-wheel NASCAR Modified series are found on the East Coast. The NASCAR Whe- len Modified Tour traces its roots back to the very first NASCAR race, held in Daytona Beach, Fla. in
1948.Many of the early NASCAR race cars were “modified” and the division evolved from there. Today, these unique race cars remain wildly popular along the Eastern Seaboard.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour com- petes across the Northeast while the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour races throughout the Southern states.
2011 Champions: Ron Silk (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and George Brunnhoelzl III (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour)
IntErnatIOnaL DEVELOPMEnt
• NASCAR Canadian Tire Series • NASCAR Toyota Series • Euro-Racecar
NASCAR announced the addition of two international touring series in 2007 – the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the Mex- ico-based NASCAR Toyota Series. Both series offer new opportunities for Canada’s and Mexico’s top teams and drivers to showcase their talents in the NASCAR system. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, which features cars similar to those used on the for- mer CASCAR Super Series, operates through- out Canada with a schedule from May to October. The series is broadcast on TSN, Canada’s leading sports network. The NASCAR Toyota Series features cars similar to those used in Late Model classes at short tracks in the U.S., with fiberglass composite bodies and spec engines. The series is broad- cast in Mexico on Televisa and throughout Central and Latin America on FX and SPEED. In January of 2012, NASCAR and Team FJ reached a licensing agreement to recognize Euro-Racecar as a NASCAR Touring Series. NASCAR will hold its first oval race in Europe on Sunday, July 8 in Tours, France. 2011 Champions: Scott Steckly (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series) and Germán Quiroga (NASCAR Toyota Series)
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