Mechanic William France, Sr., moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, from Washington, DC, in 1935 to avoid the Great Depression. He then quickly adapt to the culture history of the area where the record-breaking speed. France then followed the events in Daytona in 1936 with the results being in fifth position. Two years later he took over the management of the track at Daytona and held several races until just before World War II.
France then had the idea that many people would enjoy watching the race "stock car". At that time the drivers are often victims of irresponsible promoters who left the show after race after race the drivers have not been paid. In 1947, he saw that the racing event is not going to grow up without a formal organization, standardized rules, a regular schedule, and an organized championship. On December 14, 1947 France began talks with other influential racers and promoters at some Ebony Bar at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida, which ended with the formation of NASCAR on February 21, 1948
Erwin "Cannonball" Baker (photo 1912)
Erwin "Cannonball" Baker (photo 1912).
The first Commissioner of NASCAR was Erwin "Cannonball" Baker. A former stock car racer, motorcycles, and open-wheel cars that competed in the Indianapolis 500 and have been trying to solve more than one hundred land speed record. Baker gets most of his fame by following the breaking event speed interstate and intercontinental. Baker tried to prove the feasibility of a car by driving from New York to Los Angeles. After his death later immortalized his name to one of the famous racing event 'Cannonball Run' and a movie inspired by him. Baker is enshrined in the Automotive Hall of Fame, Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. The title of "King of the Road" Baker obtained thanks to the efforts and achievements in competing in all racing event at the time.
In the early 1950s the United States Navy puts Bill France, Jr., at the Moffett Military Air Base in Northern California. His father then asked him to look for Bob Barkhimer in San Jose, California. Barkhimer is a mini car racer of the era of World War II who have participated in 22 different race events as the head of the California Stock Car Racing Association. Bill Young then develop a relationship with his partner Bob Barkhimer and Margo Burke. He went to some event races with them and relax on the weekends with them. From this relationship they become very familiar with racing on the West Coast USA. Through intermediaries Bill Jr., "Barky" met Bill Sr. in the spring of 1954 For the next NASCAR Barky developed into a popular racing event in the West Coast region.