The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was born after a December 1947 meeting at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., where Bill France Sr. sought to organize the growing sport. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, which was born as the "Strictly Stock" division in 1949, is now the premier motor sports circuit in North America. Three national series, four regional touring series, one local grassroots series and three international circuits race under the NASCAR banner, which also sanctions the GRAND-AM Road Racing series. The vivid history of the sport has a home in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which opened in 2010 in Charlotte, N.C. The family business continues to thrive today under the leadership of grandson Brian Z. France, NASCAR chairman and CEO, and granddaughter Lesa France Kennedy, who serves on the NASCAR board of directors. More...