NASCAR          

NASCAR is the sport that has had the biggest jump in popularity in the past five years. Many more people are watching around the world and others are going to the races in person. Many enjoy NASCAR because of the crashes, but most watch because of the competition. The most popular drivers are Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, and Mark Martin. In 2004, the series name changed from the Winston Cup to the Nextel Cup. The points system also changed to a ten race chase at the end of the year called the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Beginning at the 27th race at New Hampshire, only the top ten drivers had a chance to win the championship. The top ten are only seperated by 55 points, so all ten drivers have a chance to win it. Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart are the first two to win with the new points system. So far in 2006,  Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr,  Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, and Jeff Gordon have won races.

        The Nextel Cup Series travels to tracks from all around the U.S every year. They are as long as 2.66 miles to a half mile. They are located in many states from California to Illinois to New York. There are a total of 36 races on the Nextel Cup Series every year..   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     A big crash strikes at Talladega..

Ryan Newman celebrates his win at
New Hampshire in 2005.

                                                     


Kevin Harvick  (above) celebrates his win at
Richmond in September 2005.