Auto racing began soon after the introduction of effective internal combustion engines in automobiles and is now among the worlds most popular sports. Automobile racing is divided into different categories of racing, such as stock car racing, open-wheel racing, rallying, kart racing, and drag racing. The two most popular forms of auto racing are stock car racing and formula one racing.
Stock Car racing is conducted on a closed course track with cars of very nearly similar specifications. The technological advantages in stock car racing are very small so the races are based on strategy and skill and frequently finish very closely. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the governing body of stock car racing in the United States and is responsible for sanctioning the largest stock car races in the US.
Open wheel racing uses cars where the wheels are exposed outside the main body of the car. These cars tend to be single seater vehicles with the most sophisticated engineering of any automobiles. Open wheel cars are frequently equipped with wings on the car body to apply extra down force on the car and improve its traction on the road. Famous open wheel races include the Indy 500, the A1 Grand Prix, and Formula One racing.
